The US Department of Transportation announced 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 the issue pertains to 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs, which are said to experience a sudden loss of power caused by electrical problems, leading to engine shutdowns with occasional restart capability.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received around 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which feature the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints suggest that the engines shut off unexpectedly while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicles to shift into park mode and apply the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
So far, no injuries have been reported due to this issue, but the NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands declined in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also commenced a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, Stellantis was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software flaw that heightened the risk of accidents.