The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is launching an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs for experiencing sudden engine stalls and difficulties restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing a sudden “loss of motive power due to electrical issues leading to engine shutdowns with intermittent restart capabilities.”
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles. The affected models come equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints report that the vehicle’s engine shuts off unexpectedly, often at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported linked to this malfunction, prompting the NHTSA to open a preliminary investigation, which could eventually result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges faced by Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have all reported declining sales in the second quarter. Additionally, earlier this month, the government initiated a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and back in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that increased the risk of crashes.