The US Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into approximately 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs due to reported incidents of unexpected engine stalls, which often 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 affected by a sudden “loss of motive power,” attributed to electrical issues that can lead to engine shutdowns and intermittent starting problems.
So far, the Office of Defects Investigation has received 80 consumer complaints regarding engine stalling and power loss in these Stellantis-made vehicles, which have the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints indicate that the engine would shut off while the vehicle was in motion at low speeds, resulting in an automatic shift to park and application of the emergency brake, according to the NHTSA.
Fortunately, no injuries have been linked to these malfunctions, prompting the NHTSA to initiate a preliminary investigation that may result in a recall. Stellantis has affirmed its commitment to fully cooperate with the investigation.
This investigation adds to the series of recent challenges for Stellantis, as the brands Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram have experienced declining sales in the second quarter. Additionally, earlier this month, a recall investigation was initiated involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers, and in June, the company had to recall over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software error that heightened the risk of crashes.