The US Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighted that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing a significant “loss of motive power,” attributed to electrical issues that can cause the engine to shut down, with an intermittent ability to restart.
The Office of Defects Investigation has recorded 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are featuring the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicated that the engine would unexpectedly shut off, often while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake.
So far, there have been no reported injuries related to this defect, and the NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation that could lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the inquiry.
This investigation presents additional challenges for Stellantis, as sales for the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands declined in the second quarter. Recently, the government also began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that could increase the likelihood of crashes.