Dodge Updates Software To Avoid Theft, Limits Cars to 3 HP

If you purchase a vehicle, odds are you want to hang onto it. Dodge agrees. Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis stated that more than 150 cars are stolen every day in the United States.

In particular, high-performance vehicles are targeted. For example, a 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat was stolen straight from an FCA employee’s driveway a few months back.

So to help prevent theft, the automaker updated the software for its Charger and Challenger models equipped with 6.4-L Hemi V-8 or supercharged 6.2L HEMI V-8 engines.

The update uses the Dodge owner’s four-digit security code. Without the correct code, the enhanced deterrence feature limits the vehicle’s engine speed to idle (675 rpm) to help protect against thieves. So even if someone gets their hands on (or hacks) your keys, the likelihood of them getting far with 2.8 HP and 22 foot-pounds of torque is pretty small.

Kuniskis announced in a statement, “Today, Dodge is launching a new owner-customized ‘double verification’ security system. When flashed into the computer of affected 2015 or newer Dodge muscle cars, the protective software will limit the engine output to less than 3 horsepower, foiling fast getaways and joyrides.”

The update will be completely free to owners of 2015 to 2021 Chargers or Challengers. Dodge expects the new security feature to be available late in the second quarter of 2021.