Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, NHTSA NEWS—ODI INVESTIGATION—ODI to probe engine stalls in Ram 1500, Jeep Wagoneer vehicles, (Jul 23, 2024)

By Susan Engstrom

About 150,000 vehicles may be affected.

A preliminary evaluation has been opened by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) to assess complaints of engine stalls and loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2022 Ram 1500 pickup trucks and MY 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs. The engines in these vehicles are equipped with the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque system (NHTSA ODI Investigation, No. PE24018 (July 19, 2024)).

eTorque system. The eTorque system is a mild hybrid system that lets the vehicle partially power itself. It does this by converting the captured energy from the braking system into electricity for the battery pack, which is then used to power several electrical components. eTorque engines replace the alternator with a 48-volt battery-powered belt drive and a motor generator, which provides extra torque to the crankshaft during gear changes. Simultaneously, the motor generator uses the 48-volt battery pack to increase torque.

Complaints. ODI has received 80 consumer complaints about the subject vehicles, many of which state that the vehicle’s engine would shut off, often while traveling at slow speed, and the vehicle would shift into park and apply the emergency brake. Sometimes the vehicles could be restarted. The complaints also assert that the malfunction warning light with the battery fault symbol appeared on the dash. According to many complaints, a low voltage condition fault was present, and the vehicle sometimes would not restart.

Recall. In 2023, FCA issued a recall (23V265) addressing a defect in certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 5.7L eTorque engines. The recall described a defect in the powertrain control module software that can cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.

Potential cause. In 2024, after reviewing the complaints ODI had received on the 2022 Ram 1500 and Wagoneer vehicles, FCA stated that “the loss of motive power was likely not caused by an over rich fuel condition (as outlined in recall 23V-265), but rather some other cause (e.g., an electrical concern that causes the engine to shut down).”

Investigation. ODI opened this preliminary evaluation to assess the scope, frequency, root cause, and consequences of the stalls and loss of motive power incidents. The agency also may expand the scope of the subject population if needed.

Companies: FCA US, LLC

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