The NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation into whether V8-equipped 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs should be recalled.
This week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe into 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and 2022 Ram 1500 models with the 5.7-liter eTorque-equipped Hemi V8. According to the agency, at least 80 owners have filed complaints that vehicles can stall at slow speeds, shift into park and apply the emergency brake. Intermittently, some were able to restart their vehicle in that condition, but several also were unable to do so while also receiving a low-voltage condition fault.
On April 13, 2023, FCA did recall 2021 Ram 1500 trucks with 5.7-liter eTorque engines for a defect in the powertrain control module software. That problem could result in an incorrect fuel mixture within the engine, also causing a stall. However, after reviewing complaints the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) forwarded in February 2024 to FCA, the automaker said, “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).”
The assumed electrical problem causing eTorque-equipped engines to shut down is still under investigation, so we still have some time before we could see an actual recall. At the moment, though, the issue at the heart of consumer complaints could impact up to 150,000 vehicles for the 2022 model year. To be clear, this does not affect the Jeep Grand Wagoneer that’s equipped with a larger 6.4-liter V8 (without eTorque), nor does it affect newer Wagoneers or Ram 1500 trucks with the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engine.
More details will be published to the NHTSA’s website as they become available, and we’ll post an update when we know more. For now, if you do own a 2022 Jeep Wagoneer or Ram 1500 with the 5.7-liter Hemi eTorque system, keep an eye out for any developments.
