The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs that have been reported to experience sudden engine stalls, with difficulties in restarting afterward.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that certain 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power” due to electrical issues, which can cause the engine to shut down with intermittent ability to restart.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints related to engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which utilize the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group’s 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many of the complaints indicate that the engine can shut off unexpectedly, often while the vehicle is moving at slow speeds, at which point the vehicle may shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
So far, there have been no reported injuries stemming from these issues. The NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could potentially result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the inquiry.
This development adds to recent challenges for Stellantis, as sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands all declined in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that increased the risk of accidents.