The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is launching an investigation into around 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are at the center of this issue, experiencing unexpected “loss of motive power” linked to electrical problems that cause the engine to shut down intermittently.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which utilize the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints indicate that the engine abruptly turns off, frequently while driving at lower speeds, resulting in the vehicle shifting into park and activating the emergency brake.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported related to this malfunction, but the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis has communicated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as the brands Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have all reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, Stellantis recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America following the discovery of a software bug that heightened the risk of a crash.