The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs for issues related to sudden engine stalls that often 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 experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power” due to electrical problems that can lead to engine shutdowns and intermittent restart capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints indicate that the engine would unexpectedly shut off, often while the vehicle was moving at slow speeds, resulting in the vehicle shifting into park and activating the emergency brake.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with this issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could potentially result in a recall. Stellantis has stated it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This inquiry adds to the mounting challenges for Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands experienced a decline in sales during the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America following the discovery of a software bug that increased the likelihood of a crash.