Dodge Charger and Challenger thefts have been getting out of hand and, frankly, the automaker is growing tired of it. That’s why, as part of a new software update, Dodge will introduce a two-factor authentication security system on its 2015-2021 Challenger SRT and Charger SRT models equipped with either the naturally aspirated 6.4-liter V8 or the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. Furthermore, 2019-2021 Scat Pack models with the 6.4-liter V8 engine are also eligible for the security upgrade.
Why these particular vehicles, you may ask. Well, according to a report from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), the high-performance versions of these two muscle cars were the most-stolen vehicles between 2016 and 2018, five times more than the average car.
“More than 150 cars are stolen every day in the United States,” Kuniskis said in a statement. “For any car owner, it’s terrible, it’s a hassle and it’s a personal violation. Though statistically rare, car thieves have targeted the high-horsepower Dodge muscle cars, and we want the Dodge ‘Brotherhood’ to know we’re taking quick action and covering their backs.”
The software update, which Dodge says is slated for the end of the second quarter of 2021, is a strong effort to thwart both thieves and reckless joyriders alike. The software can be installed for free at any Dodge dealership. You can call your local dealer to schedule an appointment once the free software update has been released within the next few months. Dodge says that it is implementing this newly added layer of security to protect against key-code-spoofing thieves that try to copy remote key fob signals to try to gain access to these high-performance cars.
How is this going to work? Well, the new security update will require the driver to input a customizable four-digit security code into the Uconnect infotainment screen if they want the car to go any faster than idle speed. Without the proper code, the Dodge Charger or Challenger’s engine speed will be limited to 675 RPMs. Dodge estimates that the engines will only make about 2.8 horsepower and 22 pound-feet of torque at idle—barely enough to get the car moving, much less to make a quick enough getaway.
Unlike a smartphone that requires a PIN every time you unlock it, this security feature would not require a code every time you want to move your car. Instead, owners can arm the system by entering the PIN when they feel circumstances dictate like parking in an unfamiliar place. If the owner did not activate Security Mode prior to leaving their vehicle, then a mechanic (for example) could run the engine normally. However, if the owner dropped off their vehicle and armed the feature, then the repair shop would need to know the code and enter it into the vehicle’s Uconnect infotainment system.
While the four-digit pin isn’t completely secure, it is a whole lot better than nothing and a big step in the right direction to prevent these highly popular and desirable models from getting into the wrong hands or worse. Keep an eye out for more updates on this new security system and to find out if it makes its way to lower-powered models or across the entire Dodge lineup someday.
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