Stellantis Recalls 1.27 Million Ram 1500 Trucks Over a Seat Belt Buckle That Might Not Be Bolted Down

If you drive a 2019–2026 Ram 1500, the second-row seat belt might not be doing its job. Stellantis is recalling more than 1.2 million of these trucks because the rear seat belt buckle anchor may have never been properly attached to the vehicle body at the factory. It’s a bolt, and a lot of trucks left the plant without it fully secured.

Quick Facts

Automaker	Stellantis (Chrysler / Ram)
Vehicles Affected	2019–2026 Ram 1500 pickup trucks
U.S. Vehicles Recalled	1,271,294
Also Affected	156,138 in Canada, 15,088 in Mexico, ~75,000 outside North America
Defect	Second-row center and/or driver-side seat belt buckle anchor not properly attached to body structure
NHTSA Recall Number	26V-495
Chrysler Recall Number	67D
Reported Injuries	One potentially related injury; no fatalities
Repair Cost	Free — dealer inspection and reattachment
Owner Notification Letters	Mailed starting August 18, 2026
Lawsuit Filed	Not yet
Last Updated	August 15, 2026

What Happened

The problem surfaced from a customer complaint, not a crash. In February 2026, Transport Canada flagged a report about a 2025 Ram 1500 owner whose seat belt buckle anchor wasn’t fastened to the truck’s body structure. That single report kicked off a months-long investigation inside FCA US, the Stellantis subsidiary that builds Ram trucks.

By July 23, the automaker’s engineering team confirmed what that one complaint pointed to: some trucks left the factory with the second-row center or driver-side buckle anchor never properly bolted down. NHTSA’s own filing describes the risk in blunt terms — an unfastened anchor reduces how well the belt can restrain a passenger in a crash.

That’s the part that matters here. A seat belt that isn’t anchored isn’t really a seat belt. It’s a strap.

Which Trucks Are Affected

Every 2019 through 2026 Ram 1500 with a second-row seat is in scope — that’s a seven-model-year window, which is part of why the recall count is so large. Stellantis hasn’t narrowed this to a specific trim, region, or build plant; the issue traces back to how the anchor was installed during assembly, not a design flaw isolated to one variant.

Owners will get a letter in the mail starting August 18. You don’t have to wait for it. Ram dealers can check your VIN now and confirm whether your truck needs the inspection.

What Owners Should Do

1. Call your local Ram dealer or Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403 to schedule an inspection
2. Bring the truck in — dealers will check the second-row center and driver-side buckle anchor
3. If it’s loose, they’ll properly attach it to the body structure, free of charge
4. Keep driving normally in the meantime, but treat the second-row seat belt as unverified until it’s inspected
5. Watch for your notification letter, expected the week of August 18

You can also check your VIN directly at NHTSA.gov under recall number 26V-495, or through Mopar’s recall site using number 67D.

The fix itself is quick. What’s not quick is the reason it’s necessary — a bolt that should have been checked on the line and wasn’t, on more than a million trucks.

Is There a Lawsuit?

Not yet. As of this writing, no lawsuit has been filed against Stellantis over this recall. Stellantis says it’s aware of one potentially related injury and no fatalities, which is a low number for a recall this size — but it’s early. Owner notification letters haven’t even finished going out.

Vehicle safety recalls involving crash-related components sometimes lead to product liability claims once injuries are formally connected to the defect. That hasn’t happened here.

If you or someone in your truck was hurt in an accident where the second-row seat belt didn’t perform the way it should have, talk to a product liability attorney before you get the repair done or dispose of anything related to the incident. A free consultation can help you understand what documentation matters, even with no lawsuit filed yet.

We’ll update this article if a case is filed.

Sources Used in This Article

• The Epoch Times — “Stellantis Recalls 1.27 Million Ram 1500 Trucks Over Improperly Attached Seat Belt Anchors,” citing NHTSA filing posted Aug. 4, 2026: https://www.theepochtimes.com/business/stellantis-recalls-1-27-million-ram-1500-trucks-over-improperly-attached-seat-belt-anchors-6071094

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the NHTSA recall filing and manufacturer/press reporting as of August 15, 2026. Last Updated: August 15, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.