I too have noticed this while sitting in the Detroit traffic jams. If I select re-circulate, I expect it to stay in that position. After 10 min. it changes back to outside air. I thought it was yet another electrical quirk... It is distracting since by the time it changes back, my mind has focused on something else. I am reminded it has changed when I get a cloud of fumes in the car. Maybe I should be patient and the car will eventually have me trained...