NHTSA Complaint #11689737 — 2017 DODGE CHALLENGER

The 8.4 Uconnect radio controls many aspects of the vehicle including hands free communications. When a communication device is paired to the system, at a random time, the device becomes unpaired and hands free communication becomes unusable. Additionally, at a random time, when the steering wheel communication button is pressed, the voice prompt announces "SIRI not connected". At that point, hands-free communication is not possible. It should be noted that SIRI is an Apple device feature. I have never used nor connected an Apple device to the system. The radio was dealership replaced in 2021 under partial goodwill coverage and partial cost to me. During my last dealership visit, I noted the issues and asked the service department to check the system software for updates. They verified that the software was already up to date. Additionally which is a minor safety issue, when communication device pairings are lost, other system settings are lost including all of the radio presets. At that point, communication pairings and system settings must be re-done. These issues are noted on several Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Ram and Jeep forums. To view the forum posts regarding these issues, Google search using the term "8.4 unconnect problems". Many functions of this vehicle are controlled through the radio head. Random failures of the head including vehicle hands-free communication operation are critical to highway safety.