The US Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of unexpected engine stalls that often 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 sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues that lead to engine shutdowns, sometimes with only intermittent restarts.
So far, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints describe scenarios where the engine turns off, particularly when the vehicle is moving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to automatically shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
There have been no reported injuries linked to this issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated its commitment to fully cooperate with the investigation.
This inquiry adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as sales for its brands Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram declined in the second quarter. Recently, the government also began a separate recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, the company recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software flaw that heightened crash risks.