The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to issues of sudden engine stalls and difficulties with restarting. This action was prompted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is specifically looking into the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs. The vehicles are reported to face a sudden “loss of motive power” linked to electrical problems that cause the engine to shut down and may not always restart.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received about 80 complaints from consumers regarding engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many reports indicate that the engines cut off unexpectedly, often while the vehicles are moving at slow speeds, causing the vehicles to shift into park and activate emergency brakes.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported linked to these malfunctions. The preliminary investigation by the NHTSA could potentially lead to a recall announcement. Stellantis has stated that the company is fully cooperating with the investigation process.
This investigation comes at a challenging time for Stellantis, as car sales for brands such as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have decreased in the second quarter. Additionally, the government has recently started a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers and previously recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that could heighten the risk of crashes.
As the investigation unfolds, there is hope that Stellantis will swiftly identify and address these issues, ensuring the safety of their customers while restoring confidence in their vehicle offerings. The transparency and cooperation shown by the company could pave the way for improved safety protocols and innovations in future models, ultimately benefiting consumers in the long run.