Ensuring Your Journey Is Secure: Land Rover's Proactive Safety Measures Amidst Airbag Concerns

A Hidden Peril Lurking in the Popular SUV

The Range Rover Evoque, renowned for its chic design and accessibility within the Land Rover brand, has garnered a strong following. However, a significant flaw has emerged concerning models manufactured between July 10, 2020, and October 7, 2024. This undisclosed defect could place both drivers and passengers at considerable risk, particularly in the event of a collision.

Jaguar Land Rover North America has initiated a safety recall affecting 20,999 Evoque vehicles. Official documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that the passenger airbag module might have been improperly folded during the assembly process. This misfolding dramatically increases the likelihood of the airbag tearing upon deployment, thereby diminishing its protective capacity and potentially exposing occupants to harm.

The implications of a torn airbag extend beyond reduced impact protection. There's a severe risk of hot gases being released into the cabin, which could cause burns to those in the front seats. While Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed no injury reports have been received to date, the identified risk is significant enough to warrant immediate and decisive action from the manufacturer.

Unraveling a Long-Standing Manufacturing Anomaly

The root of this airbag issue has been traced back to a component sourced from Joyson Safety Systems in Hungary. Jaguar Land Rover engineers first began scrutinizing this problem in mid-2023, following observations of anomalous airbag deployments and inconsistent results during internal tests. This revelation echoes a similar airbag concern identified more than a decade ago.

A dedicated cross-functional team was assembled to delve into the matter, conducting extensive reviews throughout 2024. Their investigations covered a wide range of factors, including the behavior of the inflator, dashboard temperatures, and the potential impact of direct sunlight on fascia components. Despite months of thorough analysis, a definitive cause for the defect remained elusive.

It wasn't until June 2025 that physical examinations of unused airbag modules finally exposed the discrepancy: variations in the folding of the airbag fabric. This crucial discovery provided the missing piece of the puzzle, explaining the inconsistent test outcomes and abnormal deployments previously observed.

Based on this critical finding, Jaguar Land Rover's Recall Determination Committee officially classified the defect as a safety risk on June 30, 2025. This decision triggered a comprehensive voluntary recall under NHTSA campaign number 25V454. Notably, every single Evoque unit produced within the specified timeframe is impacted by this defect, underscoring the widespread nature of the problem.

Timely Action is Crucial: What Evoque Owners Need to Know

Owners of the affected Range Rover Evoque models can expect to receive formal recall notifications starting August 29, 2025. Land Rover dealerships will undertake the necessary repairs, which involve replacing the faulty passenger-side airbag module and its related components, entirely free of charge. For owners who may have already incurred costs for similar repairs outside of their warranty, there might be an opportunity for reimbursement.

It is important for owners to be aware that there will be no dashboard warnings or alerts to indicate this airbag defect. Therefore, vigilance is key. Owners are encouraged to proactively verify their vehicle's status using NHTSA's recall lookup tool, once the information becomes available, or by directly contacting their local Land Rover dealership. Given the critical safety implications, addressing a potentially malfunctioning airbag without delay is paramount for the well-being of all occupants.