Fiat Chrysler is recalling about 1.4 million cars and trucks in America over concerns they could be hacked.

It is taking the action after security researchers managed to take control of a Jeep using a mobile phone and a laptop and drove it into a ditch.

The company says a software update will stop vehicles from being exploited remotely.

A number of models of cars produced from 2013 are among those listed in the voluntary recall, with Fiat Chrysler saying they are equipped with 8.4-inch touchscreens and 'certain radios'.

In a statement, the company says, "the software manipulation addressed by this recall required unique and extensive technical knowledge, prolonged physical access to a subject vehicle and extended periods of time to write code.

"No defect has been found. [Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US] is conducting this campaign out of an abundance of caution," it adds.

Charlie Miller, one of the Wired journalists involved in demonstrating the exploit, welcomed the recall, saying, “what I really want is for them to design secure cars and include detection mechanisms. They can’t do that in three days. This is the most we could hope for.”