The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it is investigating around 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reports of sudden engine stalls that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking into issues associated with the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs, which are reportedly facing unexpected loss of power due to electrical faults, leading to engine shutdowns with varying success in restarting.
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalls and power loss in the vehicles produced by Stellantis, which are equipped with Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC’s 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
Many of the complaints indicate that the engine would turn off while the vehicle was moving at low speeds, causing it to shift into park and engage the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries related to this issue, prompting the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that could result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Stellantis, which has seen declining sales across its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands in the second quarter. Earlier this month, a recall investigation was initiated into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software bug that heightened the risk of crashes.