Chrysler’s U.S. arm is recalling 48,777 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale SUVs because rear seat belts can twist and weaken crash protection.
Story Snapshot
- Recall covers 2023-2025 Dodge Hornet and 2023-2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale models.
- Risk: twisted rear outboard belts may not retract or hold tension, raising injury risk.
- Scale: 48,777 vehicles are potentially involved across the United States.
- Fix: dealers will replace rear outboard seat belt retractors at no cost.
What NHTSA And Stellantis Confirmed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted recall 26V510 stating some rear outboard belts can twist during use. Twisted belts may not retract or keep tension, which can reduce restraint in some crashes and increase injury risk.
The Transportation Department dataset lists 48,777 vehicles as potentially involved in this campaign, confirming the scope of the action. Chrysler’s remedy is straightforward: replace the rear outboard belt retractors on affected vehicles at dealerships, free to owners.
The models in scope are popular compact SUVs: 2023-2025 Dodge Hornet and 2023-2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale. The suspect production window begins August 31, 2022, and ends September 18, 2025, when updated retractors entered production.
Stellantis Europe’s Vehicle Regulations Committee formally determined a safety defect on July 30, 2026. That greenlighted this recall filing under federal rules. Owners can expect official notices and should check their vehicle identification numbers once posted in recall lookup tools.
How The Problem Surfaced And Why It Matters
FCA US notified Stellantis Europe about the condition in April 2026. Before the recall decision, the company logged 484 warranty claims tied to the rear belt retractors. The record shows zero known crashes or injuries at the time of the filing.
That points to a preventive recall, which is how modern auto safety is supposed to work. You catch the risk, not the headline. The point is basic but vital: a seat belt that does not retract or keep tension cannot protect you as designed.
The recall language uses “potentially involved” because automakers cast a wide net to make sure at-risk vehicles get repaired. Some reports cite an estimated defect rate near 1.6 percent, but the core action does not depend on that figure. The fix still matters, because the cost of one poorly restrained crash is higher than a recall visit.
What Owners Should Do Right Now
Owners should not wait for a problem to appear. Check the recall status as it becomes available, schedule the repair, and make sure rear passengers buckle and sit correctly until the fix. Dealers will replace the rear outboard retractors. That job restores proper belt path and tension.
If a rear belt feels sticky, twisted, or slow to retract, do not force it. Set a service appointment and ask the advisor to reference recall 26V510. Keep all paperwork after the repair is done.
#RecallRoundup Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) #Dodge Hornet (2023-2025); #AlfaRomeo Tonale (2023-2026): seat belt may twist and fail to retract properly. 48,777 vehicles potentially affected. https://t.co/FuQUDmnz7r pic.twitter.com/xTrA5fgPQO
— Center for Auto Safety (@Ctr4AutoSafety) August 11, 2026
Parents and grandparents should give extra attention to child seats and boosters. A twisted belt can make it harder to get a tight, secure fit. If you install a child seat in a recalled Hornet or Tonale, test the lock-off or locking retractor during installation.
If it does not hold tension smoothly, move the child seat to the center position if allowed by the manual, or use another vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Safety is not a guess; it is a checklist.
The Bigger Picture On Preventive Recalls
This recall follows the standard safety playbook. A pattern in warranty data raises a flag. The company and regulators check the risk. A formal defect decision triggers a remedy. The goal is to fix the problem before injuries happen, not after.
That system relies on clear notices and quick owner action. It also relies on dealers who do the repair right the first time. That is how you build trust without drama—steady, simple, and transparent.
Sources:
data.transportation.gov, static.nhtsa.gov
