The US Department of Transportation has announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs that are experiencing unexpected engine stalls and difficulties in restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing issues related to a sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical problems, which cause the engine to shut down with intermittent ability to restart.
The investigation was prompted by 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these vehicles, which feature the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines produced by Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA).
Many complaints describe instances where the vehicle’s engine shuts off unexpectedly, often while moving at slow speeds. In such cases, the vehicle shifts into park and activates the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
So far, there have been no reported injuries linked to this engine malfunction, but the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This development adds to the string of challenges facing Stellantis, as sales for its brands Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram saw a decline in the second quarter. Additionally, the government recently launched a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Earlier in June, the company recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that raised concerns about crash risk.