2022 Ram 1500: start-stop system problems

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · ME

The vehicle experienced a sudden powertrain failure at a busy intersection failing to automatically restart during an auto start/stop cycle on October 6, 2026. Upon manual override, the mild hybrid motor generator unit (MGU failed to adequately charge the 48V/12V electrical systems. This failure leaves the driver highly vulnerable to a total high-speed vehicle stall in active traffic due to rapid battery depletion. The manufacturer and dealership is unlawfully denying federal coverage for this emissions/hybrid component. At the time of the incident the vehicle had approximately 59,248 miles on it. I called the dealership (as I believed this would be covered under the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty) that day describing the failure. The earliest appointment I could get was October 16th. By the time my truck went in for the appointment the mileage was 60,130 miles. The dealership Identified the failure as the charging system for the Ram Hemi E-Torques motor. Specifically the Serpentine Belt Tensioner Part #: 05281543AD, 05281956AA, and 68518738AA. Also prescribed a software update. The total quote for the repairs was 1534.80. The dealership denied warranty coverage under the powertrain stating the vehicle had exceeded 60,000 miles. I showed them a picture of my odometer at 59,248 miles dated for the day i reported the problem and scheduled the appointment. They then informed me that standard accessory parts (belts, tensioners, etc.) are not covered under the 60,000mile warranty. They also informed me they are not covered under the 80,000 mile emissions warranty either despite their failure resulting in a complete failure of the federally mandated emissions system. The dealership indicated approximately 30-40 codes were triggered during the incident including a system code for the MGU. I requested a record of these codes and the dealership is unable/unwilling to provide.

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Electrical · MT

On October 1, 2026, my 2022 Ram 1500 Rebel with the 5.7L HEMI eTorque mild-hybrid system failed to restart after an automatic engine stop-start event at a red light. The engine shut off as designed when I stopped. After about 90 seconds the light turned green and I released the brake, but the engine did not restart, and the truck sat motionless in the traffic lane. When I pressed the accelerator, the engine revved and the truck lurched forward unexpectedly. At that point a battery warning light and an auto stop-start warning (stop-start symbol with an exclamation mark) appeared on the dash. No warning lights appeared before the failure. I pulled over and was able to restart the truck, but the dash voltmeter read about 12.8V while running instead of the normal 14.4V, meaning the 12V battery was not being charged. I drove to my destination. After I shut the truck off and restarted it, voltage returned to about 14.4V. Note that this is not the first time this has occurred and I often keep the automatic start/stop off because it seems to have so many issues.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Electrical · OH

This is in regards to well known issue with the E-Torque MGU generator equipped on this vehicle. The internal bearing is failing causing a whining and grinding sound and results in a loss of electrical power that causes the vehicle to stall and not restart when the auto start/stop feature is engaged, which has happened to me once. I have had a dealer confirm this component failure and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive and is parked for an undetermined amount of time because the part is on national backorder per Stellantis.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · KY

With auto start stop system turned off the engine will die when coming to a stop. The truck then shifts into park and brakes auto apply. No check engine lights no failure indications. Starts up and runs everything fine afterwards. Happens at first 3 stops and then will not happen again unless truck sits for more then 2 hours. Dealers unable to fix cause no check engine lights and nothing recorded in computer. This is a software problem they say wait for a recall.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Engine · TX

Vehicle starts sputtering/stalling out when sitting at stop signs or stoplights. It feels like the auto start/stop is trying to engage and disengage over and over again. This happens even with the auto start turned off, after turning the truck off and back on again it seems to go away for a while. This has happened at least a dozen times in the past 6 months or so.

Filed Jan 29, 2026 · Transmission · 36,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. While stopped at a red light, the contact attempted to make a left turn, and the vehicle suddenly stalled and came to a complete stop. The contact stated that the parking brake automatically engaged, and the transmission shifted into park(P). During the failure, the "Service Auto STOP/START System" warning light illuminated and remained illuminated until the vehicle was restarted. The dealer was notified, and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Electrical · OK

I experienced a complete electrical system "shut down" or failure, on November 29, 2025 while driving from Stillwater to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is available for inspection. However, I have replaced the battery as recommended by Quail Springs Automotive to get it back on the road again. I was driving my daughter home, and was making a right-hand turn off of Memorial onto north May avenue when the electrical system failure occurred and the steering and brakes failed causing the truck to jump the meridian and come to rest in the inside lane of northbound traffic just beyond the intersection. Oklahoma City police were called to provide assistance and mitigate oncoming traffic. The battery light came on and the Stop/Start function light came on at some point in the trip, but I'm not sure of the sequence or timing. The whole experience scared both of us to the core.

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · WI

While driving at low speeds in downtown traffic with the automatic stop/start system active, I stopped at a red light. The system engaged and shut off the engine as expected. However, when I attempted to accelerate, the truck stalled. The gear shift unexpectedly moved from Drive to Park, and the parking brake activated. I applied the brake and restarted the engine, but had to manually disengage the parking brake before continuing. At the next red light, the stop/start system again shut off the engine. Upon attempting to drive, the truck stalled a second time. I restarted the engine, but this time the auto stop alert and battery warning lights illuminated. The truck moved forward very slowly, appeared to struggle shifting into gear, and then suddenly lurched forward. I had to quickly apply the brakes to regain control. The vehicle is currently at the dealership undergoing inspection for a faulty tire pressure sensor and this auto stop system problem. This is the third time the truck has experienced the auto stop issue in the past two years. The problem has not been able to be replicated at the dealership and no repairs have been made.

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

While coming to a stop at my driveway the truck stalled while on the auto start/stop system, the vehicle had to be put in park and restarted as normal. The next day the same issue occurred then the battery warning light came on along with a engine code. The etorque motor/generator failed and has been confirmed by the dealership it was purchased from. Had I not been on such a low volume road the stalling could cause risk to me getting hit or causing someone to hit me due to the failure to restart. Vehicle is at dealership with confirmed etorque motor/generator failure and a warranty claim has been filed/in process

Filed Jul 16, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY

The first issue appeared when I came to a stop at a light. The auto start/stop feature malfunctioned and left my truck dead in the middle of a busy intersection and wouldn’t turn back on right away. Eventually it turned on and I was able to make it home safely. I thought this was a one time thing as the truck then appeared to be working fine after. But then it happened again after that where it wouldn’t restart after the auto start/stop function didn’t restart the engine. When I brought it in to the dealership they diagnosed the problem as a faulty etorque motor and replaced the unit in July, 2023, about a year and a half after I bought the truck brand new. Now 2 years later, the issue is happening again. This time the check engine light came on, then a few minutes later the battery low voltage light came on, all while I was driving at speed on the expressway. The truck never shut off and I was able to make it to my destination safely but I feared the same issue from 2 years ago was happening again. I immediately had the 12v battery replaced under the hood the same day and got an oil change to make sure it wasn’t either of those things triggering the check engine light. The check engine light remained on and so I was able to bring it to the dealership with the battery voltage gauge reading 11.2 at the lowest while on the way. They hooked up the code reader for the check engine light which showed error code: P0A78 - Drive Motor A Inverter Performance, leaving me unable to drive the truck home as it is unsafe to drive at this point for fear the truck would lose power while under way. As it stands, truck is at the dealership awaiting further diagnostics for the same issue that’s been happening since I bought the truck new in December, 2021.

Filed Jan 15, 2025 · Transmission · VA

I was stopped at a red light and the auto start/stop shut off my engine normally. When the light changed to green, I took my foot off the brake and the engine would not re-start. The transmission shifted to Neutral and the electric parking brake engaged. I had to shift the transmission to Park, and press the start button to re-start the engine.

Filed Dec 28, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · PA

I was driving my Ram up to a red light and was slowing down to come to a stop. Upon my attempt to slow down to the approaching redlight the vehicle abruptly jerked and stopped, the vehicle pretty much felt like it jumped into park on its own. The battery light came on, the brake light came on and the auto start symbol came on with this symbol (A!) The engine felt like it was going to stall, however, it didnt. Then engine was sort of racing and slowing down a few times. The truck would not move and did not stall. With my foot on the brake I could not shift the vehicle into any gear. I hit the stop start button with my foot on the brake and the vehicle would not shut off, it kind of raced the engine a little bit. I attempted hitting the start stop button a sechond time with my foot on the brake, all dashboard lights went off and the truck went into normal driving mode. I was able to continue home that evening and the lights have not been on since. I contacted my dealer and made an appointment for them to check on the vehicle, apt is on Jan 3rd. It was a little bit alarming when this happened and if someone was behind me it may have caused them to run into the back of my vehicle. This took place on December 22nd. I continued to research this problem online and found an article associated to this problem and several reports to the federal safety agency about this issue. The article indicated I should report this issue, which I am doing. I also immediatley received a notification on my RAM app which I will supply. Thank you