The U.S. 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, which 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 a sudden loss of power attributed to electrical issues leading to engine shutdowns, with intermittent chances of restarting.
The investigation by the Office of Defects Investigation follows 80 consumer complaints detailing engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines from Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group (FCA).
Many complaints indicate that the vehicles’ engines tend to shut off, particularly at low speeds, causing them to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
So far, no injuries have been linked to this malfunction, prompting the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that may lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This inquiry adds to the challenges currently facing Stellantis, as sales for its brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, have all declined in the second quarter. Earlier this month, there was also a government-led recall investigation concerning 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, Stellantis recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that increased the risk of crashes.