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Alfa Romeo Tonale, Dodge Hornet plug-in hybrids affected

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Stellantis ( STLA ) cites 15 brake pedal failures, with one crash

WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Carmaker Stellantis

said on Wednesday it is recalling 44,500 hybrid

crossover SUVs worldwide because the brake pedal in the vehicles

could disengage and stop working.

The recall, the company said, includes some 2024 through

2025 model-year Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid SUVs and some

2024 model-year Dodge Hornet plug-in SUVs that are based on the

same platform.

The announcement was made in a filing with the U.S. National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a separate statement

by Stellantis ( STLA ). The recall includes 21,069 vehicles in the United

States, about 2,280 in Canada, 134 in Mexico and about 20,987

outside North America, Stellantis ( STLA ) said.

The company said that some SUVs may have a brake pedal that

could inadvertently disengage while being applied. Stellantis ( STLA )

said it was aware of 15 instances globally of the brake pedal

assemblies collapsing during normal driving, including one

crash, with no injuries reported.

Dealers will reinforce the brake pedal by adding a bolt and

nut, Stellantis ( STLA ) said.

The company said that owners of affected models could also

use the electronic parking brake to slow the vehicle in a

controlled manner if they encounter a loss of braking power.

Stellantis ( STLA ) said the automatic emergency braking system, unless

deactivated, will intervene without further action by the driver

when it detects that a collision is imminent.

Stellantis ( STLA ) said it has sold 15,566 Hornets and 2,737 Tonales

in the United States this year through Sept. 30.