The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of unexpected engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues, which can cause the engine to shut down with inconsistent chances of being restarted.
The Office of Defects Investigation received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in vehicles produced by Stellantis. The models under scrutiny are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints detail incidents where the engine would shut off, often while the vehicle was moving at a slow speed, leading to the vehicle shifting into park and applying the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported stemming from this malfunction. The NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation, which could result in a recall. Stellantis stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This inquiry adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram all decreased in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also initiated 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 glitch that raised crash risks.