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, with many vehicles failing to restart afterward.
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 motive power,” attributed to electrical issues leading to engine shutdowns with sporadic ability to restart.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 complaints from consumers regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which feature the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines from Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA).
Many consumer reports detail instances where the engine unexpectedly turns off, often while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries related to this issue, prompting the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This inquiry marks another setback for Stellantis, as sales for its brands—Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram—declined in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also commenced a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that heightened crash risks.