The US Department of Transportation has announced an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls, which frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing abrupt “loss of motive power” attributed to electrical issues causing engine shutdowns, with intermittent restart capabilities.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 complaints from consumers regarding engine stalls and power loss in these vehicles, which are equipped with the FCA 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many complaints indicate that the engine turns off unexpectedly, often when the vehicle is traveling at low speeds, leading to shifting into park and the activation of the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
So far, there have been no reported injuries linked to this malfunction, prompting the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that may lead to a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram all reported declining sales in the second quarter. Earlier this month, the government started a recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that could heighten the risk of crashes.