The US Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that typically do not allow the vehicles to restart. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that the 2022 RAM 1500 and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer models are experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power” linked to electrical issues, which can cause the engine to shut down intermittently.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 complaints from consumers about the engine stalling and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are fitted with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group’s 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints noted that the engine would turn off unexpectedly, often while the vehicle was moving slowly, leading to it shifting into park and engaging the emergency brake.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported related to this issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis confirmed that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This is another setback for Stellantis, as their Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands all experienced sales declines in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, more than 1 million vehicles in North America were recalled due to a software glitch that heightened the risk of a crash.