The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs linked to sudden engine stalls that often prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs as experiencing a sudden “loss of motive power,” attributed to electrical issues that lead to engine shutdowns with intermittent restart capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding these engine stalls and power losses in vehicles produced by Stellantis. These models are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints indicate that the engine can shut off while driving at low speeds, often resulting in the vehicle inadvertently shifting into park and activating the emergency brake.
No injuries have been reported due to this issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary investigation, which may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This development marks another setback for Stellantis, as the brands Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government also began a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers. In June, the company was compelled to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that raised the likelihood of crashes.