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 often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing a sudden loss of power due to electrical issues, leading to engine shutdowns with intermittent restarting capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints concerning engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles. The affected models are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints detail that the engine would turn off, sometimes while the vehicle was moving at low speeds, causing it to unexpectedly shift into park and activate the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, there have been no injuries reported due to this malfunction, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which could 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 the company has experienced declining sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also started a recall investigation into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that increased the risk of accidents.