The US Department of Transportation has announced 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) revealed that 2022 RAM 1500 pickups and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues, resulting in engine shutdowns and occasional restart failures.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis vehicles, particularly those equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints indicate that the engine would shut off while the vehicle was moving at low speeds, causing it to inadvertently shift into park and activate the emergency brake.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with this issue. The NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands declined in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that could heighten the risk of crashes.