The US Department of Transportation announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power” linked to electrical issues that can lead to engine shutdowns, affecting the ability to restart the engine intermittently.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Reports indicate that many consumers experienced instances where their vehicle’s engine would shut off, often while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
So far, there have been no reported injuries linked to this issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis has confirmed that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as brands including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram reported declining sales during the second quarter. Earlier this month, a separate recall investigation was launched into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, Stellantis recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that heightened crash risks.