The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs may be experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power” linked to electrical issues that can cause the engine to shut down, with only intermittent success in restarting.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints concerning engine stalls and power loss related to these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles. These models are equipped with the FCA 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicate that the vehicle’s engine shuts off while driving at low speeds, at which point the vehicle shifts into park and engages the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
To date, no injuries have been reported from these incidents, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis confirmed to Quartz that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands all reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also commenced a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and back in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that heightened the likelihood of a crash.