The US 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) indicated that the affected models, namely the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs, are facing a significant “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues that lead to engine shutdowns and sporadic restart capabilities.
So far, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer reports highlighting these engine stall incidents and power losses in the vehicles manufactured by Stellantis, specifically those equipped with the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines from the former Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA).
Consumers have reported that the engines often shut off, particularly while driving at low speeds, with the vehicle automatically shifting into park and engaging the emergency brake.
Fortunately, no injuries have been linked to this defect thus far. The NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation, which could potentially result in a vehicle recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
This investigation marks another setback for Stellantis, which has already reported a decline in sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles across North America due to a software bug that raised crash risks.