The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue affects 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs, which are experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power,” attributed to electrical problems that cause the engine to shut down with a sporadic ability to restart.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in vehicles manufactured by Stellantis. The affected models come equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many of the complaints indicate that the engine would turn off unexpectedly, particularly at low speeds, leading the vehicle to shift into park mode and engage the emergency brake, stated the NHTSA.
So far, there have been no reported injuries linked to this malfunction, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which may result in a recall. Stellantis has confirmed that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the recent challenges faced by Stellantis, as sales for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands all declined in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also commenced a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, the company issued a recall for over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that raised the likelihood of crashes.