FCA US, part of Stellantis, is recalling nearly 49,000 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale SUVs because of a rear seat belt defect that could prevent the belts from properly restraining passengers during a crash.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), certain 2023–2025 Dodge Hornet and 2023–2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles may have rear outboard seat belts that can become twisted during normal use. When this happens, the belt may not retract freely or maintain proper tension against the passenger, potentially increasing the risk of injury in a collision.
The recall affects 48,777 vehicles in the United States and has been assigned NHTSA Recall No. 26V510 and FCA manufacturer recall No. 84D.
Quick Takeaways
- FCA/Stellantis is recalling 48,777 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale SUVs in the U.S.
- The recall includes certain 2023–2025 Dodge Hornet and 2023–2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles.
- Rear outboard seat belts may twist and fail to retract properly or maintain adequate tension against an occupant.
- FCA estimates approximately 1.6% of the recalled vehicles contain the defect.
- FCA had identified 484 potentially related warranty claims as of July 30, 2026.
- FCA reported no known crashes or injuries potentially related to the problem as of that date.
- Dealers will replace the affected rear outboard seat belt retractors with newly designed components.
- Repairs will be performed free of charge.
- Affected VINs are scheduled to become searchable beginning August 13, 2026, with owner notification letters expected around September 24, 2026.
FCA/Stellantis Rear Seat Belt Recall Overview
| Recall Detail | Information |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| NHTSA Recall Number | 26V510 |
| FCA Recall Number | 84D |
| Vehicles Potentially Affected | 48,777 |
| Estimated Percentage With Defect | 1.6% |
| Dodge Hornet Model Years | 2023–2025 |
| Alfa Romeo Tonale Model Years | 2023–2026 |
| Defective Component | Rear outboard seat belt retractors |
| Potential Safety Risk | Seat belt may fail to maintain proper restraint |
| Remedy | Replacement rear seat belt retractors |
| Owner Cost | Free |
| VIN Lookup Date | August 13, 2026 |
| Planned Owner Notification | September 24, 2026 |
Which Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale Vehicles Are Recalled?
The 48,777-vehicle population consists of 40,386 Dodge Hornets and 8,391 Alfa Romeo Tonales.
2023–2025 Dodge Hornet
The Dodge portion of the recall includes 40,386 Hornet SUVs produced between August 31, 2022 and September 18, 2025.
FCA says the suspect production period ended when updated rear seat belt retractors were introduced into production. Vehicles built after the affected production period are not included in the recall.
2023–2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale
The recall also includes 8,391 Alfa Romeo Tonale SUVs produced between February 9, 2023 and November 26, 2025.
As with the Hornet, later Tonale vehicles were produced with updated retractors and fall outside the identified suspect production period.
Model year alone does not confirm whether an individual vehicle is included. Owners should use their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to determine whether their specific Hornet or Tonale has an open recall.
What Is Wrong With the Rear Seat Belts?
The problem involves the rear outboard seat belt retractors – the mechanisms responsible for allowing the belt to extend when a passenger buckles up and retracting the belt so it remains properly positioned and tensioned against the occupant.
FCA determined that, under certain circumstances, the affected belts can become twisted during use. A twisted belt may then fail to retract freely or maintain the appropriate tension against the passenger.
That may sound like a relatively simple mechanical problem, but it affects one of a vehicle’s most fundamental occupant-protection systems.
Seat belts are designed to hold passengers securely in position during a crash and help manage the forces placed on the body. If a belt is loose, twisted or unable to maintain proper tension, it may not provide the restraint performance for which it was designed.
NHTSA’s recall documentation states that the condition can increase the risk of injury to an occupant during certain types of crashes.
Are There Warning Signs of the Seat Belt Defect?
One potentially concerning aspect of the recall is the lack of a specific warning system.
According to FCA’s NHTSA filing, there is no identified warning that necessarily occurs before the defect becomes a problem.
An owner or passenger might notice that a rear seat belt:
- Appears twisted
- Does not retract smoothly
- Remains unusually loose after being buckled
- Does not stay properly tensioned against the passenger
- Requires repeated pulling or repositioning to work normally
However, the absence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean a vehicle is unaffected. Owners of the applicable Hornet and Tonale model years should check the recall status using their VIN rather than relying solely on whether the seat belts appear to operate normally.
How Did Stellantis Discover the Problem?
FCA’s investigation began in April 2026, when FCA US informed Stellantis Europe of a potential rear seat belt retractor malfunction involving the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale.
Stellantis Europe formally opened an investigation on May 4, 2026. During May and June, engineers reviewed claims and related information. By July 1, Stellantis had determined that the condition could occur under particular circumstances because of a weakness in the retractor design.
As of July 30, 2026, FCA reported:
- 484 warranty claims potentially related to the issue
- 0 customer assistance records
- 0 field reports
- No known accidents or injuries potentially related to the defect across all markets
On July 30, Stellantis Europe’s Vehicle Regulations Committee determined that a safety defect existed in certain vehicles, leading to the recall filing.
The significant number of warranty claims illustrates why vehicle owners should maintain copies of dealership repair orders and document recurring problems, even when those problems initially appear isolated.
How Will FCA Fix the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale Seat Belt Problem?
The repair is expected to involve replacing the affected rear outboard seat belt retractors.
FCA’s recall filing states that dealers will replace the suspect retractors with new seat belt retractors at no charge to owners. The federal filing does not designate this recall as a “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside” recall.
Dealers are scheduled to receive recall information beginning August 13, 2026. FCA plans to begin notifying affected owners on or about September 24, 2026. NHTSA’s filing also states that affected VINs are scheduled to become searchable beginning August 13.
CarComplaints and Autoblog have also reported on the recall, noting that the issue centers on rear seat belts becoming twisted and potentially failing to properly retract or remain tensioned.
What Should Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale Owners Do?
If you own a Dodge Hornet or Alfa Romeo Tonale within the recalled model-year range, consider taking the following steps:
- Check your VIN for an open recall. Recall databases can determine whether your specific vehicle is included.
- Watch for an FCA, Dodge or Alfa Romeo recall notice. Owner letters are scheduled to begin around September 24, 2026.
- Contact an authorized dealership to schedule the repair if your vehicle is included.
- Pay attention to rear seat belt operation. Do not ignore belts that remain twisted, retract poorly or fail to stay snug against a passenger.
- Keep all repair documentation. Save recall notices, repair orders, dealership communications, invoices and records of unsuccessful repairs.
- Return to the dealer if the problem continues after the recall repair. A recurring defect after repair may be especially important when evaluating potential warranty or Lemon Law rights.
Owners do not necessarily need to wait for a mailed recall letter to check their vehicle. NHTSA recommends using a vehicle’s VIN to identify outstanding safety recalls.
Could a Dodge Hornet or Alfa Romeo Tonale Seat Belt Problem Lead to a Lemon Law Claim?
A recall by itself does not automatically make a Dodge Hornet or Alfa Romeo Tonale a lemon.
Lemon Law cases generally depend on the particular vehicle’s history rather than simply whether the model is subject to a recall. State laws differ, but recurring defects, unsuccessful warranty repairs and substantial periods when a vehicle cannot be used because it is being repaired can all be important factors.
For example, an owner may have stronger reasons to investigate their legal options if the vehicle experiences:
- Repeated rear seat belt or restraint-system problems
- Multiple dealership visits for the same defect
- A recall repair that does not permanently correct the problem
- Extended periods out of service awaiting diagnosis, repair or replacement parts
- Other recurring safety, electrical, engine, transmission or mechanical defects in addition to the recall
- Problems that substantially affect the vehicle’s use, value or safety
Auto Lemon Lawyer explains that there is no single nationwide repair-attempt standard because Lemon Laws vary from state to state. The specific warranty, repair history, age and mileage of the vehicle can all affect whether legal protections apply.
That makes detailed documentation particularly important. Each time your Hornet or Tonale goes to the dealership, make sure the repair order accurately identifies your complaint – even if the dealer says it cannot duplicate the problem or no repair is performed.
Having Recurring Problems With Your Dodge Hornet or Alfa Romeo Tonale?
The FCA/Stellantis seat belt recall provides a free repair for vehicles included in campaign 26V510, but some owners may be dealing with broader or recurring problems that go beyond a single recall visit.
If your Dodge Hornet or Alfa Romeo Tonale has experienced repeated safety defects, multiple unsuccessful repairs, excessive time in the shop or other warranty problems that have not been resolved, Auto Lemon Lawyer can review your vehicle’s repair history and help you understand what options may be available under applicable Lemon Law and warranty protections.
Contact Auto Lemon Lawyer today for a free case evaluation.
Lucas graduated cum laude from Southern University Law Center in 2025, finishing second overall in his graduating cohort. He was a recipient of the Southern University Law Center Merit Scholarship, awarded to students in the top five percent (5%) of the class based on merit, academic performance, and character. Lucas is admitted to practice law in the State of Louisiana. While his time in formal legal practice is recent, he has been part of the Auto Lemon Lawyer team for over five years, during which he has worked in every position within the firm. This experience provides him with a comprehensive understanding of Lemon Law cases from intake through litigation and resolution.