The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reported issues of sudden engine stalls and difficulties in restarting the vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing a sudden loss of power caused by electrical issues, which can lead to the engine shutting down with an intermittent ability to restart.
The investigation was initiated after the Office of Defects Investigation received 80 consumer complaints concerning engine stalls and power loss in vehicles manufactured by Stellantis. The affected models are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints describe instances where the vehicle’s engine would turn off unexpectedly, particularly while driving at low speeds. In some cases, the vehicle would shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries linked to the malfunction, but the NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation that may lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands experienced declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also started a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, Stellantis recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that could increase the risk of a crash.