The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating 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) has indicated that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs may experience a sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues, which can lead to unexpected engine shutdowns and intermittent starting problems.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding 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.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints detail that the vehicles’ engines would turn off unexpectedly, often while moving at low speeds, causing the vehicles to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
So far, no injuries have been reported related to these malfunctions, prompting the NHTSA to open a preliminary investigation that may lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have all reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government initiated a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could heighten the risk of crashes.