Jeep Owners Express Frustration With Dashboard Pop-Up Ads
Jeep owners took to social media in droves this week after many drivers were inundated with full-screen advertisements on their center console dashboard every time they came to a stop. The Jeep pop-up ads reportedly flashed up on the dashboard infotainment display screen and had to be manually cleared multiple times.
Many Jeep owners have expressed clear disappointment with this invasive marketing scheme and have wondered openly whether Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Ram, is prioritizing ad revenue over user experience.
Any Jeep owner who believes these in-car advertisements are intrusive and thinks their privacy has been invaded can contact our legal team to learn more about their privacy rights. The Lyon Firm has filed numerous class action consumer protection lawsuits on behalf of plaintiffs in all fifty states. Call for a free class action consultation.
Does Your Jeep Have Dash Screen Pop-Up Ads?
Dozens of Jeep drivers are voicing their frustration and utter dismay with Stellantis after the company introduced full-screen pop-up ads on its infotainment systems. Jeep owners have reported being overwhelmed with advertisements for an extended warranty service. Consumers have taken to Reddit and other social media outlets to find out why Jeep/Stellantis would disrupt their driving experience with frequent ads.
Stellantis quickly responded through their JeepCares PR representative, and confirmed that these ads do indeed exist and were implemented as part of the contractual agreement with SiriusXM. They recommend that Jeep owners tap the “X” on the pop-ups to dismiss them.
Stellantis owners receive a trial subscription to the SiriusXM Platinum Plan with the purchase or lease of any new or eligible pre-owned SiriusXM-equipped vehicle. With the SiriusXM Platinum Plan, Jeep drivers have access to SiriusXM content in their vehicles and on connected devices in their homes.
The Rise of Automaker Privacy Violations
Auto manufacturers are openly trying to diversify their revenue streams through subscription services and paywalled features. But if the outrage expressed online is any indication, the automotive industry is walking a thin line with the add-on business model.
This issue, unfortunately, isn’t limited to only Stellantis vehicle owners. BMW tried charging extra for heated seats, and Mercedes apparently locked car performance boosts behind an annual paywall. Last year, Ford filed a patent for an in-car advertising system that would use the car’s sound system, GPS tracker and dash screen to push ads to drivers and passengers. Ford eventually backed out on the idea when the media and public sentiment turned sour on the scheme.
Other automakers have been named defendants in auto data tracking lawsuits, with plaintiffs alleging the companies unlawfully collected and sold their driving data to insurance companies and others. General Motors recently agreed to settle allegations over its practice of selling data about drivers to insurance brokers. Other automakers have been sued in unjust enrichment and data misuse class actions.
Now the online Jeep community is lighting up with questions on how to block pop-ups, disable on-dash marketing and promotions, and remove existing intrusive in-car advertising. Drivers across the country have repeatedly said they would prefer their cars to be ad-free; consumers get plenty of ads elsewhere–on phones, computers and TVs. Consumers online have also suggested that any new vehicle with a premium price tag should be free of unwanted, intrusive ads and additional fees.
What Exactly is the Jeep Dash Screen Pop-Up Advertisement?
Much of this online fracas began when a Jeep Grand Cherokee owner posted a photo online showing a persistent pop-up ad on their dash display that pushed them to buy their FlexCare plan for “peace of mind.” Wrangler 4xe and Gladiator owners reported similar pop-up ads months ago on their infotainment dash.
The “Purchase Peace of Mind,” ads are reportedly asking drivers if they want an extended car warranty. The full pop-up ad reads, “FlexCare Extended Care Premium plans are factory backed and offer you Peace of Mind in case of a mechanical breakdown. Press the Call button to speak to a specialist. Odometer must be less than 36,000 miles to purchase.”
Consumers are frankly bewildered and have dismissed the warranty ad as inappropriate to even consider while actively operating a vehicle on the road.
Users have the option to press “OK” or an “X” to remove the ad and to view their dashboard monitor. Drivers said this week the ad appeared repeatedly, at every stop. Jeep said the pop-up dash ads were intentional, but added that the high frequency of prompts was due to a temporary software glitch that affected the opt-out functionality but has been fixed.
The Jeep pop-ups can apparently be disabled by going to the Jeep Connect website. First, however, the car owners have to create an account with an email and password and agree to a company disclosure.
So while it is no secret that many automakers are pushing the envelope of what is tasteful, many consumer advocates and consumer protection lawyers are investigating whether many of these business practices are even legal. Some plaintiffs have argued in similar intrusive marketing cases that some auto companies are guilty of unjust enrichment and personal privacy violations.