The encyclopedia · Product & Design · Product decision · 2019–2026
Ram 1500: 1.27 million trucks with a second-row belt that isn't bolted
Second-row buckle anchors improperly installed — may not restrain in a crash. 1,271,294 Ram 1500s 2019–2026; dealers attach the anchor free (NHTSA 26V495000).
Ram · 2026-08-04
What happened
Ram recalled 1,271,294 Ram 1500 pickups (2019–2026) on August 4, 2026 — the second-row seat belt buckle anchors were improperly installed and may not hold, leaving occupants unrestrained in a crash.
Dealers attach the buckle anchor to the body structure free of charge (NHTSA 26V495000). No injuries or crashes reported.
Eight model years of trucks left the line with the second-row anchor never properly attached — the belt was bolted to nothing in particular.
Why it happened
- Second-row buckle anchors improperly installed — 1,271,294 Ram 1500s 2019–2026; recalled 4 Aug 2026; dealers re-attach free
- The anchor is the one bolt the belt depends on — installed wrong, the whole restraint is theatre
- Eight model years share the miss — the installation step, not one shift, was wrong
The lesson
A seat belt is a chain ending in a bolt. One improperly installed anchor turns eight model years of restraints into costume — the fix is the bolt, applied 1.27 million times.
Sources
spotted an error? The club wants to know.
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