Jaguar Land Rover Australia has issued a recall for 95 units of the Range Rover Sport after discovering that cracks may develop in the rear subframe, a defect that could compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle in a crash.

The recall covers Range Rover Sport models built between 2023 and 2026. According to the official recall notice, the cracks can form during the manufacturing process and have the potential to widen over time, gradually weakening the subframe.

JLR has flagged that this weakening could pose a heightened danger in the event of a rear-end collision, warning that the compromised structure may increase the risk of serious injury or death to occupants.

In response, Jaguar Land Rover says it will directly contact owners of the affected vehicles and instruct them to book their SUVs in for inspection. Should technicians find evidence of cracking in the rear subframe, the necessary repairs will be carried out at no cost to the owner.

The problem is not confined to the Australian market. JLR has also issued a separate recall in the United States and its territories, covering 873 Range Rover Sport SUVs affected by the same defect, suggesting the issue stems from a broader manufacturing flaw rather than a localized production error.

Investigations into the root cause indicate that the cracks originate during the forging process used to produce the subframes, meaning the flaw can be present before the component is even fitted to a vehicle during assembly. Compounding the issue, JLR notes that subsequent machining of the subframe can effectively mask these cracks, making them difficult to detect through routine visual checks. This has raised concerns that some affected vehicles could be on the road without owners or inspectors realizing a defect is present until more detailed testing is performed.

For now, JLR has not detailed the exact inspection method that will be used to identify the cracks, though the process will presumably involve more than a simple visual check given how easily the defect can be obscured by machining. Owners of Range Rover Sport models from the 2023 through 2026 production years are advised to wait for direct contact from Jaguar Land Rover Australia regarding scheduling an inspection, rather than assuming their vehicle is unaffected.

As investigations continue in both Australia and the US, it remains to be seen whether additional markets will see similar recalls tied to the same rear subframe cracking issue affecting Jaguar Land Rover's popular SUV lineup.

Source: The Supercar Blog

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