The U.S. Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to issues related to unexpected engine shutdowns, which frequently render the vehicles unable to restart. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified that models including the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer are particularly affected by a sudden “loss of motive power.” This problem stems from electrical issues that can cause the engine to shut off, alongside intermittent ability for the vehicle to restart.
The investigation was prompted by 80 consumer complaints received by the Office of Defects Investigation, with reports detailing vehicles shutting off unexpectedly while traveling at low speeds. Alarmingly, this has resulted in vehicles automatically shifting into park and applying the emergency brake. Notably, no injuries have been reported as a result of these engine stalls. As a response, the NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation which could potentially lead to a recall of the affected vehicles. Stellantis, the parent company of the brands involved, has stated its commitment to assisting the investigation.
This situation comes at a challenging time for Stellantis, which has seen declining sales figures for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram models in the second quarter. The company is already under scrutiny following a recent recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers and a previous recall of over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that raised the risk of crashes.
Despite these obstacles, the ongoing investigation highlights the NHTSA’s commitment to vehicle safety and ensures that any potential risks to consumers will be addressed. The timely resolution of these issues could foster improvements in vehicle safety protocols moving forward, ultimately leading to better-engineered and more reliable vehicles in the future.