The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it has launched an investigation into approximately 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) indicated that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing a sudden “loss of motive power due to electrical issues that cause the engine to shut down with unpredictable restart capabilities.”
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine failures and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which utilize the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints describe situations where the engine would shut off unexpectedly, particularly while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Currently, there have been no reported injuries linked to this issue, but the NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis confirmed to Quartz that it is fully cooperating with the inquiry.
This investigation marks another setback for Stellantis, which has faced declining sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government initiated a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could elevate the risk of accidents.