The case of BMW users accessing heated seats only through a paid subscription has become a well-known example of modern car features being monetized. Yet, other automakers are occasionally attempting to outdo their Bavarian counterpart. A notable example comes from Stellantis, where owners of certain vehicles have discovered that they must close pop-up advertisements on their on-board information system display every time the car stops.
The Impact on Jeep Owners
According to TechStory, Jeep vehicle owners have found that at each traffic light, the standard display of their on-board information system is interrupted by advertising banners. These advertisements promote offers like an extended Mopar warranty. While the banners can be dismissed by tapping a designated part of the screen, they often appear at the least convenient moments—when a driver is stopped at an intersection and trying to glance at the system to check navigation or other information. This interruption results in unnecessary time lost, causing frustration for drivers.
Representatives from Stellantis have acknowledged that such advertising is part of their agreement with the SiriusXM digital broadcasting service, which provides the in-car content. Unfortunately, the system does not allow users to permanently opt out of seeing these ads. Each time a banner appears, the driver is forced to manually close it. Stellantis has only promised to explore ways to reduce the frequency of these ads, but no long-term solution has been provided yet.
User Reactions and Workarounds
The advertising interruptions have led to widespread dissatisfaction among Jeep owners, with many voicing their frustration online, adds NIX Solutions. Some car enthusiasts have already started to seek alternatives, such as modifying the software of their vehicles’ information systems or even installing third-party apps to block the ads altogether. While Stellantis has yet to take significant action beyond promising to reduce ad frequency, the company has assured users that they will continue to work on improving the experience, though they’ve stopped short of offering a definitive resolution. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.