The US Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to issues with sudden engine stalls that often 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 a sudden loss of power due to electrical issues, which can cause the engine to shut down with intermittent restart capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints related to engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints report that the engine shuts off unexpectedly, even while driving at low speeds, leading to the vehicle shifting into park and engaging the emergency brake.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries linked to this malfunction. The NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which could potentially result in a recall. Stellantis stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This inquiry adds to the troubles for Stellantis, with the brands Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram experiencing declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, a recall investigation was launched for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, the company recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that increased the risk of a crash.