The U.S. Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs over concerns about sudden engine stalls, which can often lead to difficulties in restarting the vehicles. This investigation involves 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs that reportedly suffer from a loss of engine power due to electrical issues, causing the engines to shut down unexpectedly.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has noted that their Office of Defects Investigation received around 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-made vehicles, particularly those equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints described instances where the engine would shut off while driving at slow speeds, prompting the vehicle to automatically shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
Encouragingly, no injuries have been reported due to these incidents, and the NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation that could potentially result in a recall. Stellantis has communicated that it is fully cooperating with the inquiry.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, especially as sales of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands experienced a downturn in the second quarter. Additionally, earlier this month, authorities began investigating a recall of around 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could heighten the risk of accidents.
As the investigation unfolds, it reflects a growing scrutiny of vehicle safety and the importance of consumer vigilance in the automotive industry. The hope is that with thorough investigations and proactive measures, automakers can enhance the safety and reliability of their vehicles, ultimately benefiting consumers.
This situation serves as a reminder of the essential role that regulatory agencies and consumer feedback play in maintaining vehicle safety standards and ensuring manufacturers prioritize necessary recalls or fixes.