The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is initiating an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs were experiencing unexpected engine shutdowns attributed to electrical issues, which could result in a “loss of motive power” with intermittent restart capability.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalling and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which feature the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints indicate that the engine would cut off, particularly while driving at low speeds, leading to the vehicle unintentionally shifting into park and engaging the emergency brake.
To date, there have been no reports of injuries related to these engine malfunctions, prompting the NHTSA to open a preliminary investigation that could potentially result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This incident adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have all reported a decline in sales during the second quarter. Earlier in the month, the government also commenced a recall investigation targeting 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company had to recall more than 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that raised the risk of accidents.