The US Department of Transportation revealed on Monday that it is looking into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs experiencing unexpected engine stalls, which frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing a sudden “loss of motive power due to electrical issues, resulting in engine shutdown with intermittent restart capability.”
The Office of Defects Investigation received 80 complaints from consumers regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles. These models are equipped with the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines from Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA).
According to the NHTSA, many complaints detail instances where the vehicle’s engine turned off, often while being driven at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
So far, no injuries have been linked to this malfunction, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that may lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This inquiry marks another setback for Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram experienced a decline in sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government initiated a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, more than 1 million vehicles in North America were recalled due to a software issue that could heighten the risk of a crash.