Land Rover Issues Massive SUV Recall Due to Airbag Defect Caused by Corrosion

A recent collaboration between Land Rover and the United States Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revealed a concerning issue involving over 250,857 Land Rover SUVs manufactured between 2020 and 2026. The reason for the recall is corrosion in the clockspring connector, which could potentially prevent the airbag from deploying in the event of a crash.

The affected models include Land Rover Defender, Discovery, and Range Rover vehicles, with the problem originating from the driver’s side airbags. According to the information provided in the recall document, the driver’s airbag clockspring connector may corrode over time. When this happens, the defective connector can increase resistance in the airbag’s circuit cycle, leading to a possible failure of deployment during a collision.

Further details from the NTSA documents indicate that approximately 250,857 SUVs may contain these faulty connectors. The affected models span from Discovery vehicles manufactured between 2021 and 2026, Defenders from 2020 to 2026, and Range Rovers from 2022 to 2026.

An engineering analysis has revealed that drivers may not be immediately aware of the issue, as the airbag warning light may only illuminate 300 to 400 miles before the clockspring connectors become nonfunctional due to corrosion.

Land Rover intends to reach out to all affected vehicle owners via mail, commencing their notification campaign on August 7. Owners will be required to take their vehicles to the nearest dealership, where technicians will apply a protective lubricant to the connector terminal free of charge.

Interestingly, the document also highlights that a similar lubricant application process was employed at some point during production. However, a definitive long-term solution has yet to be confirmed. For concerned individuals wondering if their vehicle is part of the recall, they can consult the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website for verification.