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 that frequently prevent the vehicles from restarting.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that the 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are experiencing an unexpected “loss of motive power linked to electrical issues, resulting in engine shutdowns with sporadic restart capabilities.”
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalling and loss of power in vehicles manufactured by Stellantis. The affected vehicles feature the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines.
According to the NHTSA, many complaints describe situations where the engine shuts off while the vehicle is moving at low speeds, leading to the vehicle shifting into park and activating the emergency brake.
So far, no injuries have been reported as a consequence of the issue, and the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary inquiry that may result in a recall. Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
This investigation marks another setback for Stellantis, which has seen a drop in sales for brands including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram during the second quarter.
Earlier this month, a separate recall investigation was launched into 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software glitch that heightened the risk of crashes.