The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is probing approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing a sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues that result in engine shutdowns, with intermittent restart capabilities.
According to the Office of Defects Investigation, they have received 80 complaints from consumers concerning engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which utilize the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicate that the engine would shut off unexpectedly, often while the vehicle was moving slowly, causing the car to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, stated the NHTSA.
So far, no injuries have been linked to these malfunctions, prompting the NHTSA to open a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis has confirmed that it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
This recent issue adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have all decreased during the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government initiated a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, Stellantis had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could heighten the risk of accidents.