Modern vehicles are packed with technology designed to keep us safe on the road, but what happens when that very technology develops a glitch?
For some drivers, the answer isn’t just theoretical — it’s playing out in real time, with frustrations mounting and questions about reliability coming to the surface.
More than 500 Fiat Ducato van owners across Australia are finding out, following a recall that highlights both the promise and the pitfalls of today's advanced safety systems.
Stellantis Australia is recalling more than 500 examples of its Fiat Ducato van due to an issue with its autonomous emergency braking system.
While that might sound like a technical hiccup, the implications are far more serious than you might think—especially for older drivers who increasingly rely on these safety technologies.
What's gone wrong with the Ducato?
The problem centres on the van's Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system—a potentially life-saving technology that automatically applies the brakes when it detects an imminent collision.
Due to a software issue, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) function may not reactivate when manually turned off and then on during the same ignition cycle.
Making matters worse, the AEB icon may not illuminate to alert the driver as intended. This means drivers could be unknowingly driving without this crucial safety net, believing their vehicle is fully protected when it isn't.
'A loss of safety systems such as AEB could increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users'
Why AEB matters more as we age
For many Australians over 60, AEB technology isn't just a nice-to-have feature—it's becoming increasingly important as our reflexes naturally slow with age. Ensuring a sound safety system is in place should be a key consideration for seniors looking for their next vehicle.
As we age, there is a decline in functional capabilities such as poorer eyesight, reduced agility and hearing which makes it more difficult to identify hazards while driving and increases the risk of older Australians ending up in an accident.
The statistics speak for themselves. In Australia, AEB has been found to reduce police-reported crashes by 55 percent, rear-end crashes by 40 percent, and vehicle occupant trauma by 28 percent. For context, experts claim that AEB is perhaps the biggest advance in road safety since the widespread introduction of electronic stability control (ESC).
How AEB Works
AEB systems use radar and cameras to constantly monitor the road ahead. When they detect an imminent collision, they first warn the driver with beeps and visual alerts. If the driver doesn't respond quickly enough, the system automatically applies the brakes to either avoid the crash entirely or reduce its severity. The technology works particularly well at city speeds, though modern systems can operate effectively up to highway speeds.
What AEB technology really does
Utilising radar or cameras, AEB prevents or minimises potential crashes by braking the vehicle if the system detects that a collision is imminent and the driver fails to take appropriate action.
Think of it as having a co-pilot who never gets distracted, never gets tired, and reacts faster than humanly possible.
Recent research from Monash University suggests that if there was 100 per cent fitment of AEB in Australia, the technology would lead to an estimated reduction of 8 per cent of fatalities, 12 per cent of serious injuries and 12 per cent of minor injuries.
These aren't just numbers on a page—they represent thousands of Australian families who could be spared the trauma of serious road accidents.
The bigger safety picture for van drivers
While this recall specifically affects Ducato vans, it raises important questions about who's driving these vehicles and why the safety implications matter.
Commercial vans like the Ducato are often used by tradies, delivery drivers, and small business owners—many of whom are in the 60-plus age group and may be covering significant distances daily.
On some cars, AEB will prevent you from having any rear-end accidents, ever, at speeds of up to 60km/h.
You can almost hear the insurance companies singing 'Hallelujah' (because rear-enders are the most common, at around 80 per cent of all collisions, and thus the most expensive, accidents on our roads).
What Ducato owners should do
- Wait for Stellantis Australia to contact you directly about the software update
- Don't attempt to fix the issue yourself
- If concerned, call Stellantis Australia on 1800 870 714
- Continue driving normally but be extra vigilant, especially in stop-start traffic
- Consider the AEB system potentially compromised until the fix is applied
Australia catches up on safety standards
This recall comes at a time when Australia is finally mandating AEB technology across the vehicle fleet.
The new Australian Design Rule specifies the regulatory requirement for AEB systems to be fitted on newly-introduced vehicle models from March 2023, and all models on sale in Australia from March 2025.
ANCAP's latest analysis shows 89.5 per cent of all new vehicles sold—222 models—were available with AEB.
However, we know here in Australia we typically have an older fleet—with the average vehicle age in Australia now ticking over the 10 years mark. This means many of us are still driving without this potentially life-saving technology.
Did you know?
Did you know?
According to government estimates, implementing mandatory AEB across Australia's vehicle fleet will save 580 lives and prevent 20,400 serious injuries and 73,340 minor injuries, delivering a net benefit of $1.9 billion to the economy.
Your consumer rights matter
It's worth noting that Stellantis, the parent company of Fiat, has provided a court-enforceable undertaking to the ACCC to address concerns about the way it has handled complaints by consumers who have experienced problems with their Jeep vehicles. This means the company is under extra scrutiny when it comes to how it handles customer concerns and recall procedures.
Stellantis Australia will contact owners once a software update is available, advising them to contact the customer support team and have this carried out. The repair should be completely free of charge, as is standard for all safety recalls in Australia.
The recall process ahead
If you own a Fiat Ducato van, you shouldn't need to do anything immediately except wait for official contact from Stellantis Australia. The company is required by law to notify affected owners and provide free repairs for safety-related recalls.
In the meantime, it's worth being extra cautious in situations where you'd normally rely on AEB—particularly in heavy traffic, when parking, or in situations where you might be distracted. Remember, this technology was designed to be a backup system, not a replacement for alert, defensive driving.
What This Means For You
The silver lining in all this? The fact that we're even having conversations about sophisticated safety technology becoming standard equipment shows just how far vehicle safety has come. A generation ago, the idea of a car that could brake for you would have sounded like science fiction.
Have you experienced a vehicle recall before, or do you have questions about how these safety systems work in your own vehicle? We'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
Read more: Popular vehicles face recall after hidden fault threatens driver safety
Original Article
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/fiat-ducato-recalled
Fiat Ducato recalled | The Scone Advocate | Scone, NSW
Cited text: Stellantis Australia is recalling more than 500 examples of its Fiat Ducato van due to an issue with its autonomous emergency braking system.
Excerpt: Stellantis Australia is recalling more than 500 examples of its Fiat Ducato van due to an issue with its autonomous emergency braking system.
https://www.sconeadvocate.com.au/story/9051069/fiat-ducato-recalled/
Fiat Ducato recalled | Nyngan Observer | Nyngan, NSW
Cited text: Stellantis Australia is recalling more than 500 examples of its Fiat Ducato van due to an issue with its autonomous emergency braking system.
Excerpt: Stellantis Australia is recalling more than 500 examples of its Fiat Ducato van due to an issue with its autonomous emergency braking system.
https://www.nynganobserver.com.au/story/9051069/fiat-ducato-recalled/
Fiat Ducato recalled | CarExpert
Cited text: “Due to a software issue, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) function may not reactivate when manually turned off and then on during the same ignitio...
Excerpt: Due to a software issue, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) function may not reactivate when manually turned off and then on during the same ignition cycle.
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/fiat-ducato-recalled
Fiat Ducato recalled | The Scone Advocate | Scone, NSW
Cited text: ... 'Due to a software issue, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) function may not reactivate when manually turned off and then on during the same ign...
Excerpt: Due to a software issue, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) function may not reactivate when manually turned off and then on during the same ignition cycle.
https://www.sconeadvocate.com.au/story/9051069/fiat-ducato-recalled/
Fiat Ducato recalled | CarExpert
Cited text: “In addition, the AEB icon may not illuminate to alert the driver as intended.
Excerpt: the AEB icon may not illuminate to alert the driver as intended.
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/fiat-ducato-recalled
Fiat Ducato recalled | The Scone Advocate | Scone, NSW
Cited text: 'In addition, the AEB icon may not illuminate to alert the driver as intended.
Excerpt: the AEB icon may not illuminate to alert the driver as intended.
https://www.sconeadvocate.com.au/story/9051069/fiat-ducato-recalled/
The 5 Best Cars For Seniors in Australia | Cars Brisbane
Cited text: Ensuring a sound safety system is in place should be a key consideration for seniors looking for their next vehicle. As we age, there is a decline in ...
Excerpt: Ensuring a sound safety system is in place should be a key consideration for seniors looking for their next vehicle.
https://carsbrisbane.com.au/5-best-cars-for-seniors-in-australia/
Automated emergency braking system—Wikipedia
Cited text: In Australia, AEB has been found to reduce police-reported crashes by 55 percent, rear-end crashes by 40 percent, and vehicle occupant trauma by 28 pe...
Excerpt: In Australia, AEB has been found to reduce police-reported crashes by 55 percent, rear-end crashes by 40 percent, and vehicle occupant trauma by 28 percent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_emergency_braking_system
What is autonomous emergency braking? - carsales.com.au
Cited text: Experts claim that AEB is perhaps the biggest advance in road safety since the widespread introduction of electronic stability control (ESC).
Excerpt: experts claim that AEB is perhaps the biggest advance in road safety since the widespread introduction of electronic stability control (ESC).
https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/what-is-autonomous-emergency-braking-101877/
What is autonomous emergency braking? - carsales.com.au
Cited text: Utilising radar or cameras, AEB prevents or minimises potential crashes by braking the vehicle if the system detects that a collision is imminent and ...
Excerpt: Utilising radar or cameras, AEB prevents or minimises potential crashes by braking the vehicle if the system detects that a collision is imminent and the driver fails to take appropriate action.
https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/what-is-autonomous-emergency-braking-101877/
MUARC report shows potential for Autonomous Emergency Braking to reduce road fatalities—Accident Research Centre
Cited text: Overall, the report highlights the significant potential benefits of having 100 per cent fitment of AEB and FCW in the light passenger vehicle fleet in Austra...
Excerpt: Recent research from Monash University suggests that if there was 100 per cent fitment of AEB in Australia, the technology would lead to an estimated reduction of 8 per cent of fatalities, 12 per cent of serious injuries and 12 per cent of minor injuries.
https://www.monash.edu/muarc/news-a...s-emergency-braking-to-reduce-road-fatalities
MUARC report shows potential for Autonomous Emergency Braking to reduce road fatalities—Accident Research Centre
Cited text: If there was 100 per cent fitment of AEB in Australia, the technology would lead to an estimated reduction of 8 per cent of fatalities, 12 per cent of serious injuries and 12...
Excerpt: Recent research from Monash University suggests that if there was 100 per cent fitment of AEB in Australia, the technology would lead to an estimated reduction of 8 per cent of fatalities, 12 per cent of serious injuries and 12 per cent of minor injuries.
https://www.monash.edu/muarc/news-a...s-emergency-braking-to-reduce-road-fatalities
What is Autonomous Emergency Braking or AEB? | CarsGuide
Cited text: Not only that, but it does it so well that it will, on some cars, prevent you from having any rear-end accidents, ever, at speeds of up to 60km/h. You...
Excerpt: On some cars, AEB will prevent you from having any rear-end accidents, ever, at speeds of up to 60km/h.
https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/hacks/what-is-autonomous-emergency-braking-or-aeb-51459
ANCAP welcomes mandatory autonomous emergency braking (AEB) technology from 2023.
Cited text: The new Australian Design Rule specifies the regulatory requirement for AEB systems to be fitted on newly-introduced vehicle models from March 2023, a...
Excerpt: The new Australian Design Rule specifies the regulatory requirement for AEB systems to be fitted on newly-introduced vehicle models from March 2023, and all models on sale in Australia from March 2025.
https://www.ancap.com.au/media-and-gallery/media-releases/dbf7f0
ANCAP welcomes mandatory autonomous emergency braking (AEB) technology from 2023.
Cited text: AEB has consistently been shown to improve safety outcomes, and our latest analysis of new light vehicle sales shows 89.5 per cent of all new vehicles...
Excerpt: ANCAP's latest analysis shows 89.5 per cent of all new vehicles sold—222 models—were available with AEB.
https://www.ancap.com.au/media-and-gallery/media-releases/dbf7f0
What is autonomous emergency braking? - carsales.com.au
Cited text: “We know here in Australia we typically have an older fleet—with the average [vehicle] age in Australia now ticking over the 10 years mark,” Young s...
Excerpt: we know here in Australia we typically have an older fleet—with the average [vehicle] age in Australia now ticking over the 10 years mark.
https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/what-is-autonomous-emergency-braking-101877/
Stellantis (Australia and New Zealand) Pty Ltd | ACCC
Cited text: The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Stellantis (Australia and New Zealand) Pty Ltd ACN 125 956 505 (Stellantis Australia) to ad...
Excerpt: has provided a court-enforceable undertaking to the ACCC to address concerns about the way it has handled complaints by consumers who have experienced problems with their Jeep vehicles.
https://www.accc.gov.au/public-regi.../stellantis-australia-and-new-zealand-pty-ltd
Fiat Ducato recalled | The Scone Advocate | Scone, NSW
Cited text: ... Stellantis Australia will contact owners once a software update is available, advising them to contact the customer support team and have this car...
Excerpt: Stellantis Australia will contact owners once a software update is available, advising them to contact the customer support team and have this carried out.
https://www.sconeadvocate.com.au/story/9051069/fiat-ducato-recalled/
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