The US Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighted issues with the 2022 RAM 1500 and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer models, which are experiencing unexpected loss of power linked to electrical issues causing engine shutdowns with occasional difficulty in restarting.
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’s 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints describe the engine shutting off unexpectedly, often while driving at low speeds, which leads to the vehicle automatically shifting into park and activating the emergency brake.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries associated with this malfunction. The NHTSA’s preliminary investigation may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigative process.
This latest investigation adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands have declined in the second quarter. Additionally, earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation concerning 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, Stellantis had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that increased the risk of crashes.