The US Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to issues with sudden engine stalls and difficulties in restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing a sudden loss of power attributed to electrical issues that cause the engine to shut down, with inconsistent chances of restarting.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in vehicles made by Stellantis. These models are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints describe instances where the vehicle’s engine turned off, often at low speeds, causing the car to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
Currently, there have been no reports of injuries linked to this malfunction. The NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which could potentially result in a recall. Stellantis has communicated to Quartz that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also 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.