Stellantis warns that a vital safety device may not work as intended
According to new documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 14-brand-strong automotive conglomerate Stellantis is recalling nearly 49,000 vehicles due to a defect that makes them noncompliant with a federal safety standard.
Specifically, 48,494 units of the 2023 to 2025 model year iterations of the compact Alfa Romeo Tonale crossover SUV and its Dodge-branded cousin, the Hornet, are being recalled due to an issue that renders the rearview cameras inoperable. According to an FCA document sent to dealers dated April 16, 2025, some Tonales and Hornets may have been built with a defect that might result in the rearview image not displaying on the vehicle’s screen when shifted into reverse.
2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Tributo Italiano Special Series Alfa Romeo
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As a result, the affected vehicles with the defect do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 571.111, Section 6.2.6, which is the 2018 legislation that requires all vehicles sold in the US after the 2018 model year to be equipped with operable backup cameras.
Stellantis has pinpointed the root cause of the defect to a fault within the computer built into the Alfas and Dodges, noting that “Suspect vehicles have cold soldering on a voltage regulator and/or a software defect within the microprocessor which may result in the vehicle not displaying the rearview image” when the vehicles are put into reverse.
According to an NHTSA document, the automaker knew about the issue since March 2024, when it opened a formal investigation after Stellantis Europe first received reports of the problem affecting the 2023-2025 model year Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet vehicles, which led to a formal recall early in April 2025.
2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Tributo Italiano Special Series Alfa Romeo
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The remedy for affected vehicles depends on their build date. Stellantis states in an NHTSA document that for vehicles made on or before December 6, 2023, the defect will be fixed by replacing the radio with a new unit with a new printed circuit board and a software update. Stellantis has committed to reimbursing owners who have already paid to have the issue fixed at the dealer. Dealers will be notified of the recall on April 22, while owners will be notified through the mail on June 4.
Final thoughts: Rearview camera recalls are becoming very common, but the tech is imperative
Stellantis’s recall across two of its brands is the latest in what is slowly becoming one of countless recalls regarding the rearview camera in newer vehicles. In February, Ford recalled 72,624 vehicles, including the 2021 Ford Expedition, 2021-22 Ford Super Duty, and 2020-22 Lincoln Corsair for similar issues. Meanwhile, Tesla recalled 239,000 2024-2025 Model 3 and Model S sedans, and 2023-2025 Model X and Model Y SUVs for similar issues the month prior.
Though the backup camera may seem unimportant, or even be classified as a “luxury item” to some traditionalist motorists, it is important to know that the 2014 ruling behind the rearview camera mandate that formally went into effect in 2018 was born out of a need to reduce fatalities that occur when cars are backing up. According to the last set of data recorded back when the ruling was passed, the NHTSA estimated that backover incidents caused 210 fatalities and 15,000 injuries per year and that children under 5 years old made up 31% of such fatalities each year. Anything we can do to avoid accidental fatalities is important, and it’s good to see that Stellantis is taking the issue seriously.
