The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs over reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently leave drivers unable to restart their vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing sudden “loss of motive power due to electrical concerns,” leading to engine shutdowns with intermittent restart capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received around 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in vehicles produced by Stellantis. The affected models feature the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA).
Many complaints have indicated that the vehicles’ engines often shut off while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and activate the emergency brake, as noted by the NHTSA.
So far, there have been no reported injuries linked to these malfunctions. The NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the recent challenges facing Stellantis, as brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government began 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 glitch that heightened crash risks.