The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to issues with sudden engine stalls that often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
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 power caused by electrical issues that can lead to engine shutdowns, with sporadic capabilities to restart.
The investigation was prompted by 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are powered by the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints noted that the engine shut off while the vehicle was moving at low speeds, causing it to shift into park and activate the emergency brake.
So far, no injuries have been reported related to this malfunction, prompting the NHTSA to begin a preliminary investigation that may lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the inquiry.
This investigation is another setback for Stellantis, as brands including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, a recall investigation was initiated for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could heighten the risk of crashes.