The US 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) reported that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing a sudden “loss of motive power stemming from electrical issues, which causes the engine to shut down, with intermittent capability to restart.”
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in vehicles manufactured by Stellantis, specifically those equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicate that the engine unexpectedly shuts off, often while the vehicle is moving at low speeds, resulting in the vehicle shifting into park and activating the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported due to this defect, but the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could ultimately lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This development adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands saw a decline in sales during the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that raised the risk of crashes.