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 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 an unexpected loss of power attributed to electrical issues that can cause the engine to shut down, along with intermittent restarting difficulties.
The Office of Defects Investigation received 80 consumer complaints related to engine stalls and power failures in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are fitted with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints indicate that the engine can shut off unexpectedly, often while the vehicle is traveling at slow speeds, causing it to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
There have been no reported injuries linked to this issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram declined in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that heightened the risk of a crash.