The U.S. 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 often 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 facing a sudden “loss of motive power stemming from electrical issues that cause the engine to shut down with intermittent restarting capabilities.”
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding 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.
Many of the complaints describe instances where the engine shuts off while the vehicle is moving slowly, causing it to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to NHTSA statements.
No injuries related to this malfunction have been reported, prompting the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis, the parent company of the brands in question, has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation comes amid a series of challenges for Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands have all decreased in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also initiated a recall investigation affecting 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company was required to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that heightened the risk of a crash.