The US 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) indicated that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are afflicted by a sudden “loss of motive power caused by electrical issues that lead to engine shutdown with occasional difficulty in restarting.”
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints related to engine stalls and power loss in these vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints detail that the engine would turn off unexpectedly, often while the vehicle is moving at low speeds, causing it to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
So far, there have been no reported injuries linked to this issue, which has prompted the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to recent setbacks for Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands fell during the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, Stellantis had to recall over 1 million vehicles across North America due to a software glitch that raised the likelihood of accidents.