Jaguar Land Rover South Africa has announced a safety recall affecting selected Defender, Discovery and Range Rover models after identifying a potential defect that could prevent the driver’s airbag from deploying in the event of a collision.
The recall, announced in conjunction with the National Consumer Commission (NCC), affects vehicles sold in South Africa between April 2019 and June 2026, depending on the model. Owners are being urged to book their vehicles in for inspection and repairs at their nearest authorised Jaguar Land Rover dealership as soon as possible.
What is the problem?
According to Jaguar Land Rover, engineers identified a concern with the connector linking the driver’s airbag to the vehicle’s clock spring assembly. Over time, the connector may develop fretting corrosion—a type of wear caused by tiny movements and vibration—which increases electrical resistance in the airbag circuit. If this occurs, the driver’s airbag may fail to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of serious injury.
Which vehicles are affected?
The recall includes selected:
Land Rover Defender models sold between April 2019 and June 2026
Land Rover Discovery models sold between July 2020 and June 2026
Range Rover models sold between September 2020 and June 2026
Owners who are unsure whether their vehicle is included should contact an authorised Jaguar Land Rover dealership with their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Repairs will be free
Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that all inspection and repair work will be carried out free of charge. The repair involves inspecting the affected airbag connector and applying the necessary corrective measures to ensure the driver’s airbag functions as intended. Internationally, the remedy includes applying a protective lubricant gel to the connector terminals to prevent corrosion.
What owners should do
Owners of affected vehicles should:
- Contact their nearest authorised Jaguar Land Rover dealership.
- Schedule an inspection as soon as possible.
- Avoid delaying the repair, as the defect affects a critical safety system.
The NCC has encouraged consumers to respond promptly to the recall to minimise safety risks on South African roads.
Part of a wider global recall
The South African recall forms part of a broader global safety campaign by Jaguar Land Rover involving more than 250,000 vehicles worldwide. The manufacturer says the issue was identified during internal engineering testing, and at the time of the announcement, it was not aware of any reported crashes or injuries linked to the defect.
