The US Department of Transportation announced a probe into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that often prevent the vehicles from restarting. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing issues with a sudden loss of power attributed to electrical problems that can cause the engines to shut down, with only intermittent success in restarting.
The investigation was prompted by 80 consumer complaints concerning engine stalls and loss of power in vehicles manufactured by Stellantis. The models in question are equipped with the FCA 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints highlight that engines would turn off unexpectedly, particularly when driving at low speeds, causing the vehicles to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
No injuries have been associated with the engine malfunctions thus far, but the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation which could lead to a potential recall. Stellantis has confirmed its full cooperation with the investigation.
This inquiry adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands tumbled in the second quarter. Additionally, earlier this month, a recall investigation was launched for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that increased the risk of crashes.