The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is launching an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that often cannot be restarted.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified that certain 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing unexpected “loss of motive power caused by electrical issues that result in engine shutdown and intermittent ability to restart.”
So far, the Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints detail instances where the engine shuts off, frequently while driving at low speeds, leading to the vehicle shifting into park and activating the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been linked to this defect, but the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis, the parent company, has stated that it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have all reported declining sales during the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software error that heightened crash risk.