The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is examining 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) disclosed that the affected models include 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs, which are experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power” stemming from electrical issues that lead to engine shutdowns with occasional restarting capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power losses in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicate that the engine would unexpectedly shut off, often while driving at slow speeds, before the vehicle would switch into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported due to this malfunction, prompting the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This inquiry adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have all reported a decline in sales for the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America following the discovery of a software glitch that heightened the risk of accidents.