The U.S. Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing abrupt “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues, which may cause the engine to shut down, along with sporadic restarting capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has logged 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, specifically those equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group’s 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints indicate that the engine shuts off unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving at slow speeds, leading to automatic shifting into park and the activation of the emergency brake.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported linked to this engine malfunction. The NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis has announced that it is fully cooperating with this investigation.
This recent development adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as sales for their Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands have declined in the second quarter. Earlier in the month, the government also began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million North American vehicles due to a software bug that heightened crash risk.