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 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 a “loss of motive power” linked to electrical issues that can cause the engine to shut down and restart intermittently.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 complaints from consumers regarding engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, all of which feature the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints detail incidents where the engine shuts off, particularly at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and activate the emergency brake.
Thankfully, there have been no reported injuries connected to this malfunction, but the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could lead to a recall. Stellantis has confirmed its cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
This issue adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands all reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, a recall investigation was also launched for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that heightened the risk of crashes.