The U.S. 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 prevent the vehicles from restarting. This inquiry is being spearheaded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), focusing on 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and Jeep Wagoneer SUVs that are experiencing a significant “loss of motive power.”
According to the NHTSA, this issue stems from electrical challenges that lead to engine shutdowns and sporadic ability to restart the vehicles. The agency has received 80 consumer complaints highlighting incidents where the engine unexpectedly shuts off, particularly while traveling at low speeds, resulting in the vehicle shifting into park and engaging the emergency brake.
Interestingly, no injuries have been linked to these incidents, and the NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation that could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis, the parent company, has expressed its commitment to cooperating fully with the investigation.
This development adds to a series of challenges faced by Stellantis, as brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, a recall investigation was initiated concerning 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and a significant recall affecting over 1 million vehicles in North America took place in June due to a software glitch raising crash risks.
While this news raises concerns for both consumers and the automotive manufacturer, it also presents an opportunity for Stellantis to reinforce its focus on vehicle safety and reliability, potentially leading to improvements in future vehicle designs and enhanced customer trust. The proactive investigations and recalls demonstrate the commitment to safety within the industry, which ultimately can benefit consumers by ensuring higher standards are met in automotive manufacturing.