The US Department of Transportation has announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs that are reportedly experiencing sudden engine stalls that often render them unable to restart.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing an unexpected “loss of motive power due to electrical issues that result in engine shutdown, with inconsistent capabilities to restart.”
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 complaints from consumers regarding engine stalls and loss of power in vehicles manufactured by Stellantis, specifically those equipped with the FCA 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
The NHTSA noted that many complaints describe incidents where the engine would abruptly turn off, often while the vehicle was moving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
Fortunately, no injuries have been linked to these malfunctions at this time. The NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation, which could potentially result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands all reported declining sales during the second quarter. Earlier in the month, the government initiated a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, Stellantis was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that raised the risk of crashes.