Ram Recalls More Than 1.2 Million 1500 Trucks Over Rear Seat Belt Anchor Problem
Ram 1500 owners should be aware of a major new safety recall involving certain 2019 through 2026 Ram 1500 trucks. Chrysler, through FCA US LLC, has recalled approximately 1.27 million Ram 1500 vehicles in the United States because the second-row seat belt buckle anchors may not have been properly attached to the truck’s body structure.
The issue is especially concerning because the affected component is part of the vehicle’s occupant restraint system. If the buckle anchor is not properly secured, a rear-seat passenger may not receive the protection expected from the seat belt during a collision.
The recall is identified by NHTSA Campaign Number 26V495 and FCA recall number 67D.
The Problem
According to FCA’s recall filing, certain 2019–2026 Ram 1500 trucks may have been manufactured with a second-row seat belt buckle anchor that was not properly attached to the vehicle’s body structure. FCA describes this as an assembly issue rather than a defective seat belt component.
The affected trucks were manufactured during a lengthy production window beginning on February 17, 2018 and ending April 27, 2026. FCA identified approximately 1,271,294 U.S. vehicles as potentially affected.
FCA currently estimates that approximately 0.1% of the recalled population actually contains the defect. Although that percentage is relatively small, the recall population is so large that thousands of trucks could potentially have an improperly secured seat belt anchor.
A separate report indicates that the broader North American recall involves approximately 1.4 million trucks when Canadian vehicles are included.
Allegations and Safety Concerns
The concern is straightforward: a seat belt can only properly restrain an occupant if its attachment points remain secured to the vehicle during a crash.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210 establishes requirements for seat belt assembly anchorages. FCA reported that an improperly fastened buckle anchor may reduce the seat belt system’s ability to manage crash forces and may reduce occupant restraint effectiveness.
NHTSA similarly warns that an improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain a passenger, thereby increasing the risk of injury in a collision.
Of particular concern, FCA states that there may be no warning to the driver or passenger before the problem becomes relevant. In other words, an affected seat belt could appear normal during everyday driving even though its anchor may not be properly secured.
The defect therefore may not become apparent until the restraint system is subjected to significant forces during a crash.
Recall and Investigation History
FCA’s investigation appears to have begun after Canadian regulators brought the issue to the manufacturer’s attention.
According to the company’s chronology, Transport Canada notified FCA Canada on January 20, 2026 regarding a customer concern involving a second-row seat belt buckle anchor that may not have been properly fastened on a 2025 Ram 1500.
FCA formally opened an investigation the following month. Between February and July 2026, FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization worked with engineering and manufacturing personnel to determine how the failure occurred and which vehicles may have been affected.
On July 15, 2026, FCA concluded that a vehicle-build issue existed that could reduce second-row occupant restraint performance. On July 23, 2026, FCA’s Vehicle Regulations Committee determined that certain vehicles failed to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210.
FCA submitted its recall report to NHTSA on July 30, 2026.
Recall / TSB Information
The recall applies to certain:
2019 Ram 1500
2020 Ram 1500
2021 Ram 1500
2022 Ram 1500
2023 Ram 1500
2024 Ram 1500
2025 Ram 1500
2026 Ram 1500
The recall identifiers are:
NHTSA Recall: 26V495
FCA Recall: 67D
Dealers will inspect the second-row seat belt buckle anchors and, when necessary, properly attach the buckle anchor to the truck’s body structure. The repair will be performed free of charge.
FCA began notifying dealers in early August 2026, and owner notification letters are scheduled to begin going out around August 18, 2026, with the notification process continuing into September.
FCA also advised NHTSA that affected VINs would become searchable through the federal recall database beginning August 6, 2026.
Symptoms Ram 1500 Owners May Experience
Unlike many automotive defects, an improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may not produce an obvious drivability symptom.
Owners may not experience a warning light, unusual noise, dashboard message, or other indication that anything is wrong. FCA specifically reported that there may be no advance warning associated with the condition.
That makes it particularly important for Ram 1500 owners to check their VIN rather than assuming that their truck is unaffected simply because the rear seat belts appear to function normally.
Owners should also pay attention to any unusual movement, looseness, separation, or instability involving the second-row seat belt buckle or its mounting location.
What This Could Mean Under California Lemon Law
A recall does not automatically make a vehicle a lemon. However, a significant safety recall can become important evidence in a California Lemon Law claim when the owner has repeatedly sought repairs or when the vehicle has suffered from other substantial warranty problems.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act generally requires manufacturers to repair covered warranty defects within a reasonable number of opportunities. Depending on the circumstances, a manufacturer may ultimately be required to repurchase or replace a vehicle when it cannot conform the vehicle to warranty after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Safety-related defects may receive particular scrutiny because even a relatively small probability of failure can have serious consequences.
For example, a Ram owner may have a stronger potential claim where the vehicle has experienced repeated seat belt, restraint-system, airbag, electrical, transmission, engine, steering, suspension, or other warranty concerns in addition to this recall.
Likewise, an unusually long period at the dealership awaiting recall parts or repairs may become relevant when evaluating the vehicle’s overall repair history.
How to Proceed
Ram 1500 owners affected by Recall 67D should consider the following:
Check the vehicle’s VIN to determine whether the truck is included in NHTSA Recall 26V495.
Contact an authorized Ram or Chrysler dealership and ask whether Recall 67D is currently open on the vehicle.
Schedule the recall inspection and repair as soon as reasonably possible.
Keep copies of all repair orders, invoices, recall notices, and dealership communications.
Make sure each repair order accurately identifies every complaint reported to the dealership.
Keep track of how many days the truck remains at the dealership.
Document any previous repairs involving the rear seat belts, restraint system, airbags, seats, warning lights, or other safety systems.
If the truck has been repeatedly repaired for warranty problems, consider having the complete repair history reviewed under California Lemon Law.
Statute of Limitations
Given FCA was instrumental in gutting the California lemon law, it would be difficult to bring a case on vehicles older than 6 years old. You can visit www.tellsacramento.org for more information.