The US Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to sudden engine stalls that often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing unexpected “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues that cause the engine to shut down with intermittent restarts.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints related to engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are powered by the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints highlight instances where the engine would turn off while the vehicle was moving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with this malfunction. The NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This development comes as more troubling news for Stellantis, with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram experiencing a decline in sales during the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Furthermore, in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could heighten accident risks.