The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to issues with sudden engine stalls, which often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are affected by an unexpected “loss of motive power,” primarily attributed to electrical problems resulting in engine shutdowns with inconsistent restart capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines produced by Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA).
Many complaints describe incidents where the engine would abruptly shut off, often at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
So far, no injuries have been linked to these engine issues, though the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis has reported that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the recent challenges faced by Stellantis, which has seen a drop in sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter. Earlier this month, authorities began a recall investigation concerning 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that heightened the risk of crashes.