Stellantis to recall 1.5 million Ram 1500 trucks over seat belt issue

• The recall covers 1.27 million vehicles in the United States, 156,000 in Canada, 15,000 in Mexico, and about 75,000 outside North America
• The defect involves second-row center or driver side seat belt buckle anchors that may not be properly attached to the vehicle body structure
• Stellantis is aware of one potentially related injury linked to the seat belt issue

Summary

Stellantis Announces Major Ram 1500 Recall

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, announced Friday it will recall approximately 1.5 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks worldwide due to a seat belt safety defect. The recall affects model years 2019-2026.

Key Issue: The affected vehicles may have improperly attached second-row center or driver-side seat belt buckle anchors that were not adequately secured to the vehicle body structure. This manufacturing defect could compromise the seat belt system's performance and increase injury risk to rear-seat passengers. Stellantis has confirmed awareness of one potentially related injury.

Geographic Breakdown:

• United States: 1.27 million vehicles
• Canada: 156,000 vehicles
• Mexico: 15,000 vehicles
• Outside North America: approximately 75,000 vehicles

Market Implications: This recall represents a significant quality control issue for Stellantis and its popular Ram truck brand, which competes directly with Ford's F-Series and General Motors' Silverado/Sierra in the highly profitable full-size pickup segment. The recall spans seven model years, suggesting a persistent manufacturing or design flaw that went undetected for an extended period.

The financial impact will include repair costs, potential legal liability, and possible reputational damage to the Ram brand. With over 1.5 million units affected, this ranks as one of the larger automotive recalls in recent years. Investors should monitor for any updates on recall-related costs and potential impact on Ram 1500 sales, which are crucial to Stellantis's North American profitability.