The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is probing around 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to issues of sudden engine stalls that often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has highlighted that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical problems that can lead to engine shutdowns with intermittent restarting capabilities.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which feature the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints note that the vehicles’ engines shut off unexpectedly, often while driving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported due to these malfunctions, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis has indicated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation is a further setback for Stellantis, as sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands experienced a decline in the second quarter. Additionally, earlier this month, the government began a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America following the discovery of a software flaw that increased the risk of crashes.