The US Department of Transportation has announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs that are experiencing sudden engine stalls, with many vehicles failing to restart.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing a sudden “loss of motive power” due to electrical issues that cause the engine to shut down, occasionally allowing for a restart.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received around 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group’s 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicate that the engine would shut off while driving 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 related to this malfunction, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which may lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram all reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier in the month, the government began a recall investigation into 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 raised the risk of accidents.