The US Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs that are experiencing sudden engine stalls and difficulties in restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing issues with a “loss of motive power” due to electrical problems that can cause the engine to shut off unpredictably, with occasional restart capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 complaints from consumers regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis vehicles, which feature the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Reports indicate that many drivers have experienced the engine shutting off, often while driving at low speeds, which results in vehicles unexpectedly shifting into park and activating the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported from these malfunctions, prompting the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This inquiry adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as sales for its brands including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram declined in the second quarter. Earlier this month, a separate recall investigation into about 94,000 Jeep Wranglers was launched, and in June, the company issued a recall for over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that could raise the risk of accidents.