The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is launching an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to incidents of sudden engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickups and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are affected by a sudden “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues that can lead to engine shutdowns with intermittent restart capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints detailing engine stalls and power loss in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles. The models identified are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicate that the engine would turn off, often while driving at low speeds, resulting in the vehicle automatically shifting into park and engaging the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
No injuries have been reported in connection with this malfunction. The NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation that could potentially lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the inquiry.
This investigation adds to a series of challenges facing Stellantis, as the company reported declining sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter.
Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation for 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, Stellantis was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America after discovering a software glitch that could elevate the risk of a crash.