Owners of 2023/2024 Dodge Hornet and 2023/2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale models in the United States may consider scheduling a visit to their Dodge dealer following a recall issued for these crossover vehicles. Fortunately, the recall does not pertain to an urgent safety concern and is voluntary.
Stellantis' U.S. division, FCA US, has disclosed that certain Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale models may have been assembled with a non-compliant tire placard that reports an incorrect vehicle capacity weight value. A total of 36,093 vehicles are affected by the recall, encompassing Hornets manufactured between August 31, 2022, and February 13, 2024, as well as Tonale models produced from February 9, 2023, to February 10, 2024.
In accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in the United States, vehicles are required to feature a placard specifying the combined maximum weight of occupants and cargo that should not be exceeded. However, the affected Dodge and Alfa Romeo models fail to accurately define the maximum vehicle capacity weight. Stellantis warns that an owner may inadvertently overload the vehicle if they rely on an incorrect placard, thereby heightening the risk of a potential crash.
The car manufacturer first became aware of a potential issue on January 30, 2024. It will formally notify dealerships of the recall on April 24 and instruct them to affix an overlay label over the existing placard.
This is not the first recall for the Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet. It was revealed in October of last year that 4,660 of the vehicles lacked a pedestrian alert siren, which meant that when they reversed, the chime would not sound. But only hybrid models were impacted by this recall. Furthermore, due to improperly torqued nuts on wires that connect the 12-volt and high-voltage batteries, a recall was issued for the Hornet and Tonale in September 2023.