The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to issues of sudden engine stalls, which frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified 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 cause the engine to shut down, with intermittent capability to restart.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints detailing engine stalls and power loss associated with vehicles produced by Stellantis. These vehicles feature the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicate that the engine would turn off unexpectedly, often while the vehicle was moving at slow speeds. In some instances, the vehicle would automatically shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
There have been no reported injuries tied to this problem, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with this investigation.
This situation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as its brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, have all reported declining sales in the second quarter.
Earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, Stellantis was required to recall over 1 million vehicles across North America due to a software glitch that raised the risk of a crash.