Nearly 50,000 Chrysler-brand SUVs are going back to dealers because a seat belt part can twist and stop working as it should.
Quick Take
- NHTSA says 48,777 vehicles are covered by the recall.
- The affected models are certain Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale SUVs.
- The problem involves rear outboard seat belt retractors that may twist and fail to retract properly.
- Dealers will replace the retractors at no cost to owners.
What Chrysler Recalled
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Stellantis’ Chrysler arm is recalling certain 2023 to 2025 Dodge Hornet models and 2023 to 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale models because the rear outboard seat belts may become twisted during use. The recall covers 48,777 vehicles, and the agency lists an estimated defect rate of 1.6%.
The fix is direct. Dealers will replace the rear outboard seat belt retractors free of charge. NHTSA says a seat belt that does not freely retract or hold tension does not provide the restraint it was designed to give, which raises the risk of injury in some crashes.
How The Defect Was Found
The recall report says FCA US notified Stellantis Europe in April 2026, and Stellantis Europe later made the formal defect finding through its Vehicle Regulations Committee on July 30, 2026.
That matters because this was not a rumor-driven recall. It was a documented safety action tied to internal claims data and a company defect decision.
NHTSA’s filing also says the company had 484 warranty claims linked to the issue before the recall decision, but it reported no known crashes or injuries.
That makes this a preventive recall, not one triggered by a public accident pattern. For drivers, that often means the danger is real, even if the harm has not yet shown up in headlines.
Why The Recall Matters
Seat belts are one of the simplest safety systems in a vehicle, but they only work when they move and lock the right way. A twisted retractor can interfere with that basic job. NHTSA’s language is plain: if the belt does not retract freely or keep tension, it may not restrain the occupant as intended.
The recall also shows how modern auto safety works. Companies often spot a pattern through warranty claims, then file a voluntary recall before people get hurt.
That process can look dry on paper, but it is the reason many defects never turn into crash stories. In this case, the public record points to a real mechanical flaw and a clear repair plan.
What Owners Should Watch For
Owners of affected Hornet and Tonale models should wait for recall notice letters and then schedule service. The NHTSA posting says dealer repairs are free, and the recall report identifies the remedy as replacement of the rear outboard seat belt retractors. If a driver notices a belt that feels rough, does not retract well, or hangs loose, that is the kind of problem this recall is aimed at fixing.
#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
The larger lesson is simple. A recall does not need a pileup to be serious. When the federal safety agency says a belt may not hold tension, that is enough to take notice.
This case is also a reminder that the biggest recalls are often the quiet ones, built from claims data, engineering review, and a decision to act before a bad part becomes a bad crash.
Sources:
static.nhtsa.gov, recalledthisweek.com
