The US Department of Transportation has announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that often result in the vehicles being unable to restart.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the models under scrutiny include the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs, which are facing a sudden loss of engine power attributed to electrical issues that can lead to engine shutdowns with intermittent ability to restart.
The investigation was prompted by 80 consumer complaints received by the Office of Defects Investigation regarding engine stalls and power loss in vehicles produced by Stellantis, specifically those equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
The NHTSA noted that many complaints describe incidents where the engine shuts off, often while the vehicle is moving at low speeds, causing it to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported related to this malfunction. The NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which may lead to a potential recall. Stellantis has indicated that it is collaborating fully with the investigation.
This inquiry marks another challenge for Stellantis, as the brands of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have all recorded a decline in sales during the second quarter. Additionally, earlier this month, the government initiated a recall investigation concerning 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that heightened the risk of crashes.