Stellantis has issued an urgent “Do Not Drive” warning for roughly 225,000 vehicles in the U.S., citing a serious safety defect that could put drivers and passengers at immediate risk. The February 14, 2026 announcement marks one of the most critical recalls to date from the automaker, whose portfolio includes Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Ram.
This designation isn’t handed out lightly. A “Do Not Drive” notice is reserved for the most dangerous vehicle issues, typically involving essential systems such as airbags, brakes, or steering. While Stellantis has yet to release specific details about the defect, the scale and severity of the alert point to a potentially life-threatening fault.
Owners are being urged to stop driving the affected vehicles immediately and to check their vehicle identification numbers (VINs) through Stellantis’ official recall portals or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site.
The recall arrives as part of a busy week in the automotive world. Other headlines include Canada stepping up efforts to attract Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to boost local production, and Rob Cochran being named Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association for 2026. Still, the Stellantis recall stands out for its immediate impact on consumer safety and the potential for massive logistical and financial fallout.
This move also reflects growing regulatory pressure on automakers to respond swiftly and transparently to safety concerns, especially in the wake of high-profile incidents that have shaken public trust. Stellantis now faces the challenge of coordinating inspections, repairs, or possible vehicle buybacks on a large scale, all while managing the reputational consequences.
With over 225,000 vehicles potentially sidelined, this recall isn’t just a safety bulletin—it’s a wake-up call for both the industry and the drivers who rely on these vehicles every day.
