INDIANA — Chrysler’s parent company, Stellantis, has issued a safety recall for 48,777 vehicles across the United States following concerns that rear outboard seat belt retractors could become twisted and fail to function correctly in a collision.
The recall, officially announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on August 10, 2026, impacts select Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale crossover SUVs.
Federal safety officials warned that a seat belt retractor that becomes twisted may prevent the belt from pulling tight or properly positioning across a passenger’s body. In the event of a crash, a seat belt that fails to retract increases the risk of serious injury to rear occupants.
As of the announcement, no crashes or injuries related to the defect have been reported.
Affected Models
The recall encompasses 48,777 vehicles across multiple model years:
- 2023–2025 Dodge Hornet SUVs
- 2023–2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale SUVs
NHTSA estimates that approximately 1.6% of the recalled vehicles actually contain the retractor defect. The issue specifically affects the rear outboard seating positions.
What Owners Should Do
While official owner notification letters are not scheduled to be mailed until September 24, 2026, safety officials urge drivers not to wait for the notice to check if their vehicle is affected.
Vehicle owners can check their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) today by visiting NHTSA.gov or Chrysler’s portal at recalls.mopar.com.
If a vehicle is included in the recall, owners can take it to any authorized Dodge or Alfa Romeo dealership, where technicians will replace the rear seat belt retractors free of charge. Drivers with questions are advised to contact their local dealership or Chrysler customer service through mopar.com.
