Dodge and Alfa Romeo PHEVs Recall Expands: Brake Pedals at Risk of Snapping!

TL;DR: Stellantis has expanded its recall affecting nearly 6,000 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid crossovers in the U.S. because their brake pedals can snap under hard braking, making stopping a real nail-biter.

Meta: Stellantis expands a recall affecting nearly 6,000 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEVs due to brake pedals that can snap and cause serious safety risks.

When Your Brake Pedal Decides to Quit on You

Here’s a headache you don’t want when you’re commuting: your brake pedal snaps like a cheap party favor. That’s exactly what was discovered in some 2024-model Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEVs—the brake pedal arm might collapse during a sudden stop, turning your safe ride into a wild hope-you-don’t-crash nightmare.

After recalling 21,000 vehicles last year, Stellantis found even more affected units sold in the U.S., pushing that tally to about 27,000 prone to pedal betrayal. The affected cars share a platform and parts made at the same factory in Italy. Remember, a broken brake pedal is no joke; it’s a direct line to accidents.

How’s Stellantis Handling This? Slow and Steady Fix

The fix sounds like a throwback to garage days: dealers will reinforce the brake pedal arms with a nut and bolt. If any pedal is already snapped, the entire assembly gets swapped out. And if you’re suddenly pedal-less in traffic, their advice is to use the electronic park brake button—that’s a modern emergency stop technique, folks.

There’s a silver lining: the cars’ Automatic Emergency Braking system steps in if it senses crash danger, provided it’s enabled. One reported accident in Europe linked to this issue didn’t result in injuries so far—a welcome relief, but the risk is still there.

What Consumers Should Know

• Check if your Dodge Hornet or Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV is on the recall list.
• If yes, book that dealer appointment ASAP for the reinforcement or fix.
• If the brake pedal snaps while driving, immediately pull over and use the electronically controlled emergency brake to stop safely.

Safety in EVs and hybrids isn’t just about batteries and software—it’s about classic hardware that holds us back when things get real. And nothing’s more classic than brakes.

What’s Next?

Stellantis is watching globally for any further pedal drama and investigating why this manufactured pedal decided to become a weak link. The automaker’s plant in Italy faces quality control spotlight.

If you’re driving one of those rides, keep your eyes peeled and your foot ready—no one wants a break in the braking.

Eddie Murphy’s Take:

Look, brakes are like your mama—don’t ignore them! If your pedal’s snapping like brittle candy, you better get it fixed before the drama hits the freeway. Keep it smooth, folks!