Jaguar Land Rover North America has announced a significant safety recall affecting over 21,000 Range Rover Evoque SUVs due to a potentially dangerous passenger airbag defect. The recall encompasses models from the 2021 through 2025 model years, with concerns that faulty airbags may tear during deployment, increasing the risk of serious injury or burns to occupants.
The Core Safety Issue
The recall affects 20,999 Range Rover Evoque vehicles manufactured between July 10, 2020, and October 7, 2024, at Jaguar’s Halewood plant in the United Kingdom. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the front passenger airbag may have been folded incorrectly during assembly, significantly increasing the likelihood of tearing during deployment.
This isn’t merely a technical quirk – when an airbag tears during deployment, it can allow hot gases to escape, potentially causing severe burn injuries to passengers. The defective airbag modules, identified by part number 541123545 in JLR’s parts system, were manufactured by Joyson Safety Systems Hungary, a supplier with an interesting background as the former Takata corporation acquired by Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp in 2018.
Investigation Timeline and Discovery
Jaguar Land Rover began investigating this matter in May 2023 following multiple reports from the manufacturer regarding abnormal front passenger airbag deployments. The investigation proved complex, with inconsistent test results making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the deployment failures.
The Breakthrough Discovery
The breakthrough came in June 2025 when physical inspections of unused airbag modules finally revealed critical differences in the folding of the airbag fabric. This discovery explained the inconsistent test results and abnormal deployments that had puzzled engineers for over two years. The finding was significant enough that on June 30, 2025, Jaguar Land Rover’s Recall Determination Committee ruled the defect a legitimate safety risk, triggering a full-scale voluntary recall under NHTSA campaign number 25V454.
Scope of the Problem
Notably, 100% of the units produced within the specified manufacturing dates are affected by this defect, making this a comprehensive recall rather than a selective one. The Range Rover Evoque, currently the smallest member of the Range Rover family worldwide, underwent a complete redesign in November 2018, making this recall particularly concerning for relatively new vehicles.
Recall Response and Owner Actions
Owners of affected Evoque models will begin receiving official recall notices on August 29, 2025. Land Rover dealers will replace the passenger-side airbag module and associated components entirely free of charge. For owners who have already paid for related repairs out of warranty, reimbursement may be available.
No Warning Signs
Unfortunately, there are no dashboard warnings to alert owners of this potentially dangerous defect until the recall repair is completed. This makes it crucial for owners to respond promptly to recall notices and schedule repairs as soon as possible.
Thankfully, Jaguar Land Rover reports no known injuries resulting from this airbag defect, though the potential for serious harm during a collision remains significant until the defective components are replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my Range Rover Evoque is affected?
A: The recall affects all 2021-2025 Range Rover Evoque models manufactured between July 10, 2020, and October 7, 2024. Official recall notices will be mailed starting August 29, 2025.
Q: Will the repair cost me anything?
A: No, Land Rover dealers will replace the passenger airbag module and associated components completely free of charge, including labor costs.
Q: Is it safe to drive my Evoque before the repair?
A: While no injuries have been reported, the airbag may not provide proper protection in a crash. Contact your dealer immediately to schedule the repair.
Also Read:-BYD Seal or Tesla Model 3: Which EV Delivers Better Value?