The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is looking into around 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs that are experiencing unexpected engine stalls and difficulties in restarting.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected models include the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup and the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer. These vehicles are facing a sudden “loss of motive power due to electrical issues causing the engine to shut down with sporadic chances of restarting.”
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are fitted with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many of the complaints indicate that the vehicle’s engine shuts off, often while driving at low speeds, leading the vehicle to shift into park mode and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Currently, there have been no reported injuries related to this issue, but the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis confirmed to Quartz that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
This development adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, which has seen a decline in sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands during the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also commenced a recall investigation concerning 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could elevate the risk of accidents.