The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is launching an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs that are reportedly experiencing sudden engine stalls and difficulties restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has noted that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing an unexpected “loss of motive power due to electrical issues,” which can cause the engine to shut down with occasional problems in restarting.
The investigation was prompted by 80 consumer complaints received by the Office of Defects Investigation, where drivers reported engine stalls and power losses in vehicles produced by Stellantis. The affected models are equipped with the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA).
Many of the complaints highlight that the vehicles would unexpectedly turn off, often while being driven at low speeds, leading to a shift into park and the emergency brake being engaged, according to the NHTSA.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries linked to this issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This development is particularly troubling for Stellantis, which has already experienced declining sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter. Additionally, earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could raise the risk of accidents.