Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler, has finally acknowledged the frustration of drivers encountering unexpected pop-up advertisements on their vehicle’s infotainment screens. While the automaker insists these were initially due to “software glitches,” recent incidents—including a documented case of a Mopar parts ad appearing in a Ram truck—have forced a more direct response.
The Recurring Problem
Over the past year, reports have flooded social media and automotive forums detailing the unwelcome intrusion of ads into drivers’ vehicles. Despite previous explanations blaming backend errors, skepticism remains high as new examples emerge. The issue isn’t just irritating; it raises questions about driver distraction and the ethics of monetizing in-car interfaces.
Stellantis’ Official Position
The company now frames these pop-ups as part of its “In-Vehicle Message” (IVM) feature, designed to deliver “essential information.” These include recall notices, vehicle health updates, and subscription reminders. Stellantis claims the system is designed to be non-intrusive: messages appear only when the vehicle is stopped and disappear when driving or with a simple tap.
However, the catch is that opting out isn’t straightforward. There’s no in-screen option to disable marketing content. Instead, drivers must either:
- Call customer care at 1-800-777-3600 and explicitly request to “opt out of in-vehicle messaging.”
- Navigate to their brand’s website (e.g., Connect.ramtrucks.com) and adjust settings under Profile > Message Settings > In Vehicle > Toggle off.
The Bigger Picture
This situation highlights a growing trend: automakers exploring new revenue streams by turning vehicle interfaces into advertising platforms. While Stellantis emphasizes customer choice, the cumbersome opt-out process suggests otherwise. It’s a clear signal that in-car advertising is here to stay, and drivers will likely see more of it unless they take deliberate action to block it.
The core issue isn’t just the ads themselves, but the lack of control drivers have over their own vehicle’s interface. This raises broader concerns about data privacy, driver safety, and the future of connected car experiences. For now, customers remain at the mercy of Stellantis’ message settings and its willingness to keep in-car pop-ups to a minimum.
