The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that often leave the vehicles unable to restart.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) disclosed that 2022 RAM 1500 pickups and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power” stemming from electrical issues that can lead to engine shutdowns and intermittent restart capability.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 complaints from consumers about engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis vehicles, which are equipped with 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA).
According to the NHTSA, many complaints suggest that the engine can shut off unexpectedly while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and automatically engage the emergency brake.
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 development adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have experienced declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America following the discovery of a software bug that could heighten the risk of a crash.