Land Rover Recalls SUVs for Airbag Defects

Jaguar Land Rover has issued an auto defect recall for Range Rover SUVs from the 2013 and 2014 model years due to defects in the airbag system. According to a report in The Washington Post, a number of these vehicles suffer from a problem with their safety systems, which could dramatically increase the risk of injury to occupants in the event of a car crash.

Problem with Side Airbags

A bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that the problem stems from an issue with the Supplemental Restraint System connector found in the driver’s and front passenger’s seats. A flaw in the Range Rover’s design may cause the connectors to detach over time disabling the Supplemental Restraint System, which is responsible for triggering the SUV’s side airbags. If the system is disabled, the side airbags will not deploy during an accident increasing the likelihood of injuries for the driver and/or front-seat passenger.

Jaguar Land Rover will start informing owners about the recall by January 17, 2014. Owners can then take their vehicles to Land Rover dealers who will modify the area around the connector to prevent it from becoming disconnected. All repairs will be done free of charge. About 4,000 vehicles are believed to have been affected by this recall. Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to contact Land Rover at (800) 637-6837.

Auto Product Liability Issues

Airbag defects can result in life-threatening injuries to vehicle occupants. Side-impact collisions often result in catastrophic injuries. Side airbags in a vehicle offer an extra layer of protection in side-impact crashes. When this protection is lacking, the consequences can be deadly.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective auto, you do have rights. An experienced auto product liability lawyer will be able to advise injured victims and their families regarding their options. In such cases, it is crucial to preserve the vehicle in its current state, unaltered, so that an expert can thoroughly examine it for defects, malfunctions and design flaws. The best auto defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.