Stellantis, the global automotive conglomerate ranked fourth by market presence, experienced a pre-market decline of 1.83%, trading at $20.33 per share. This downturn follows an announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Monday, initiating a preliminary evaluation of approximately 150,000 vehicles manufactured by Stellantis. The investigation is prompted by allegations of power loss leading to engine shutdowns and intermittent restarts, incidents that have garnered significant consumer concern.

The regulatory body has compiled eighty complaints from consumers, alluding to the malfunction primarily affecting the 2022 model year RAM 1500 pickup trucks and the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer sport utility vehicles (SUVs). This assessment is pivotal in determining whether a formal safety recall is warranted, potentially impacting a substantial number of vehicles within these model lines.

Should the preliminary evaluation substantiate the claims of engine failures and resultant safety hazards, Stellantis may face a compulsory recall, which could incur significant financial costs and reputational damage for the automaker. Stakeholders are closely monitoring the developments as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for both the company's operations and its standing in the competitive automotive sector.