The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it has launched an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that often leave the vehicles unable to restart.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing a sudden “loss of motive power,” attributed to electrical issues that result in engine shutdowns with sporadic capabilities to restart.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these vehicles, which are equipped with the 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines manufactured by Stellantis.
Many complaints describe incidents where the engine shuts off while the vehicle is moving at low speeds, causing it to shift into park and activate the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
No injuries have been reported connected to this malfunction, and the NHTSA’s preliminary investigation could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis has communicated its full cooperation with the investigation.
This announcement adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as the brands Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also initiated a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, over 1 million vehicles in North America were recalled due to a software flaw that heightened the risk of accidents.