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 that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has flagged 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs for experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power” due to electrical issues that can lead to engine shutdowns and intermittent restart difficulties.
The Office of Defects Investigation has recorded 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in vehicles manufactured by Stellantis, all of which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints reveal that the vehicles’ engines would shut off, often while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
So far, no injuries have been reported as a result of this issue, but the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could pave the way for a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
This development adds to the difficulties facing Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram all experienced declines in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also initiated a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that heightened the risk of accidents.