Land Rover SUVs Called Back Over Airbag Defect

Land Rover is recalling more than 250,000 sport utility vehicles because of a problem with their airbags. 

The safety devices may not properly deploy when needed, the automaker recently told federal regulators. Corrosion in the clockspring connectors is to blame, according to Land Rover.

“A concern has been identified where the connector to the driver’s airbag at the clockspring may experience fretting corrosion over time,” Land Rover said in a recall notice. “This can lead to an increased resistance in the driver’s airbag circuit, potentially resulting in the airbag failing to deploy when requested to do so.”

That is bad news for people in the vehicles. “An airbag which fails to deploy as-intended will increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash,” according to Land Rover.

The recall covers certain 2020–2026 Defender, 2021–2026 Discovery and 2022–2026 Range Rover models.

The automaker began investigating after it received an influx of warranty claims related to airbag lights illuminating, Range Rover said in the notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The company said it was not aware of any accidents or injuries tied to the defect.

Range Rover plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles via mail by August 7. Range Rover drivers also can check the NHTSA website to see if their vehicles are included in the recall. The company will ask owners to bring their cars to authorized service providers for inspection and repair.

California Lemon Law Rights for Range Rover Drivers

This is the latest in a string of safety recalls impacting Land Rover vehicles. 

Jaguar Land Rover, the manufacturer’s parent company, announced earlier this year it was recalling some 170,000 hybrid SUVs, for example. JLR warned that the cars could lose power on the road. The recall came shortly after Land Rover called back about 200 SUVs whose sunroof trim may detach and fall off, creating road hazards.

The good news for Land Rover drivers in California is that you have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. You do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective or malfunctioning vehicle repaired in many situations.

The lemon law requires manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some situations) cars that they cannot or will not fix.

The buyback requirement includes compensating the owner for any down payment on the car, as well as for monthly loan payments and the outstanding balance on any loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental car, and other related expenses. 

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.