Stellantis has once again drawn attention in the United States after announcing a new series of recalls that affect several of its plug-in hybrid and high-performance vehicles. The latest actions involve models from both Alfa Romeo and Dodge, including the Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid, its closely related Dodge Hornet PHEV counterpart, and the performance-focused Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. While recalls are not uncommon in the automotive industry, one of the issues highlighted in this announcement is particularly concerning due to the potential safety risks involved.
The most serious recall centers on the brake pedal assembly used in the Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet plug-in hybrid models. According to Stellantis, there is a possibility that the brake pedal assembly could fail or collapse while the vehicle is being driven. If such a failure were to occur during braking, the consequences could be severe, especially in emergency situations. Although the company has not released detailed technical explanations regarding the exact failure mechanism, it has confirmed that the problematic component is an internally sourced part rather than one supplied by an external manufacturer.
This defect was first identified in October 2023, which led to an earlier recall involving more than 21,000 vehicles. The newly announced recall expands on that initial investigation, suggesting that further analysis uncovered additional vehicles potentially affected by the same underlying issue. In total, the current recall applies to 5,974 vehicles across the United States. This includes 2,688 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEVs produced between February 23, 2023, and February 14, 2024, as well as 3,286 Dodge Hornet PHEVs manufactured from February 10, 2023, through December 21, 2023.
To date, Stellantis has confirmed that one accident has been linked to the brake pedal defect. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with that incident. To address the problem, dealerships have been instructed to reinforce the brake pedal arm by installing a bolt-and-nut assembly, which is described as a relatively simple and effective corrective measure. Owners of affected vehicles can expect to receive official notification letters beginning on January 13, 2026.
Until repairs are completed, Stellantis has reiterated interim safety guidance previously issued during the earlier recall. Drivers are advised to rely on the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) if the primary brake pedal becomes unusable. The recall documentation explains that the EPB switch, located on the lower section of the center console, can be pulled up and held while driving to gradually slow the vehicle and bring it to a controlled stop. Additionally, the automaker notes that if the Automatic Emergency Braking system remains operational, it will activate automatically when a potential collision is detected, even in cases where the brake pedal fails.
Alongside the plug-in hybrid recall, Stellantis has also issued a separate recall affecting the 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. This action involves 313 vehicles built between February 2, 2024, and December 3, 2024. In these models, the headlights may not function correctly due to an issue with the routing of the wiring harness. To resolve the problem, dealerships have been instructed to inspect the wheel arch liner and replace it if required, as well as to examine the wiring harness and reroute or repair it as necessary. Owners of the affected Giulia Quadrifoglio models will begin receiving recall notifications starting January 28, 2026.