The U.S. Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reported issues of sudden engine stalls and difficulties in restarting. Specifically, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighted concerns regarding 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUV models experiencing abrupt “loss of motive power” linked to electrical problems that can cause the engine to shut down intermittently.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation noted that they have received 80 consumer complaints detailing engine stalls and power loss in these vehicles. The affected models are equipped with the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines manufactured by Stellantis, which was formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group.
Many complaints indicate that the engine has shut off unexpectedly, sometimes while the vehicle is moving at slow speeds, which has led to the vehicle automatically shifting into park and activating the emergency brake. While no injuries have been reported due to these malfunctions, the initiation of this preliminary investigation could potentially lead to a recall.
This investigation comes during a challenging period for Stellantis, which has already reported declining sales figures for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter of this year. Earlier in the month, the government had also launched a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, over 1 million vehicles were recalled in North America due to a software bug that raised safety concerns.
In summary, while the investigation poses challenges for Stellantis, it underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in maintaining vehicle safety. The proactive approach by the NHTSA to address these issues may ultimately enhance consumer confidence and lead to improvements in safety protocols. The willingness of Stellantis to cooperate with the investigation could also be seen as a positive step towards resolving these issues effectively.