The U.S. 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, which often result in the vehicles being unable to restart.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing issues with a sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical problems that can lead to engine shutdowns with intermittent restart capability.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in the vehicles produced by Stellantis. The affected vehicles are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints describe instances where the vehicle’s engine shuts off, often while moving at low speeds, causing the vehicle to shift into park mode and engage the emergency brake.
So far, no injuries have been reported due to this malfunction, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as sales for its brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, fell during the second quarter of the year.
Earlier in the month, a recall investigation was also launched for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. Additionally, in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that could elevate crash risks.