The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating around 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently 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 facing a sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues, resulting in engine shutdowns with occasional restarts.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints related to engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles. The affected models are equipped with Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, numerous complaints describe instances where the engine shuts off while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
No injuries have been reported due to this issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that may lead to a recall. Stellantis stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, which has seen declining sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could heighten the risk of a crash.