Stellantis Recalls 1.27 Million Ram 1500 Trucks Over Seat Belt Anchor Defect — Arizona Owners Among Those Affected

Stellantis is recalling more than 1.27 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks nationwide after determining that some vehicles left the factory with second-row seat belt buckle anchors that were not properly attached to the body structure, according to the recall report the manufacturer filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under campaign number 26V495. The Ram 1500 is a common sight on Arizona roads: it ranked among the state's 10 best-selling vehicles in the most recent 45-day sales tracking period, with 629 units sold, according to sales data compiled by CarEdge and updated September 1, 2026.

The recall covers model year 2019 through 2026 Ram 1500 trucks built between February 17, 2018, and April 27, 2026, per NHTSA's recall filing. Stellantis estimates that only about 0.1 percent of the recalled population — roughly 1,271 trucks — actually has the defect, but because the company says it cannot identify which specific vehicles are affected, all 1,271,294 trucks in that production window are included in the recall.

According to NHTSA's report, the problem traces to an assembly-line error rather than a faulty part: the M12x1.75x43.00 hex-head bolts (part number 06508760AA) that secure the second-row seat belt buckle anchors to the truck's body structure were not properly fastened during production. NHTSA's filing states that "reduced load management by the seat belt buckle may result in injury to vehicle occupants ... in certain types of driving conditions or crashes," and that affected trucks may not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, the federal standard governing seat belt anchorage strength. Kelley Blue Book reported that Stellantis said it is aware of one complaint describing a potentially related injury, though the automaker has not confirmed a direct causal link between that incident and the anchor defect.

Dealers were notified of the recall beginning August 6, 2026, and Stellantis began mailing owner notification letters in phases from August 18 through September 24, 2026 — meaning many affected Ram 1500 owners in Arizona may be receiving, or may have recently received, a recall notice right now. The fix itself is straightforward and free of charge: dealers will inspect the second-row seat belt buckle anchors and properly reattach any that are found loose. No replacement parts are required, according to NHTSA's filing.

Arizona owners do not need to wait for a mailed notice to find out if their truck is affected. Entering a truck's 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls, where VINs have been searchable since August 6, 2026, will confirm recall status immediately. Because the defect specifically involves the second-row seat belt anchors, drivers who regularly carry passengers — including children — in the rear seat of a Ram 1500 have particular reason to check promptly rather than wait for a letter that can take weeks to arrive, especially if a truck has changed hands or a mailing address on file with Stellantis is out of date.

Sources: NHTSA Recall Report 26V495; Kelley Blue Book; CarEdge Arizona best-selling vehicles data (updated September 1, 2026).