Jaguar Land Rover North America has initiated a safety recall affecting a specific group of its high-end Range Rover Sport SUVs due to a manufacturing defect that could compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity. The recall, which has been officially filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), centers on the rear subframe—a critical chassis component that may have been manufactured with forging defects, potentially leading to cracks.
The recall campaign, identified under NHTSA filing number 26V613000, involves a relatively small but significant population of 873 vehicles within the United States and its territories. According to the documentation provided by the automaker, the issue stems from a failure in the production process at the supplier level, where structural components were not forged to the necessary specifications.
Which Range Rover Sport SUVs Are Covered
The scope of this recall is precisely defined, targeting Range Rover Sport models from the 2024 through 2026 model years. These vehicles were manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover’s primary production facility in Solihull, United Kingdom. The specific production window for the affected units spans from October 3, 2023, through May 22, 2026.
It is important for owners to understand that the model year alone is not an absolute indicator of whether a specific vehicle is included in the recall. The defect is not a universal design flaw but rather a manufacturing variance tied to a specific batch of parts. As noted in the NHTSA filing, two vehicles of the same model year, built in the same month, may have different statuses depending on which specific batch of rear subframes was installed on the assembly line.
This targeted approach reflects a high level of traceability in modern automotive manufacturing. Because Jaguar Land Rover tracks the serial numbers of major structural components like the subframe, they have been able to isolate the 873 vehicles that received parts from the suspect batch. This narrow scope stands in contrast to larger, more generalized campaigns, such as the company’s airbag recall from earlier this year, which involved more than 250,000 vehicles across various model lines. Instead, this subframe action is more reminiscent of the automaker’s recent power-loss recall, which similarly focused on a very specific segment of recent production.
Owners who are concerned about their vehicle’s status are encouraged to use the NHTSA’s online recall lookup tool. By entering their 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), owners can receive an immediate confirmation as to whether their specific SUV is part of this safety action.
A Forging Defect Traced To Two Suppliers
The investigation into the cracked subframes led Jaguar Land Rover back to two of its prominent structural component suppliers: Linamar Casting and Gestamp Assembly. These companies are responsible for the forging and assembly of the rear subframes used in the Range Rover Sport’s sophisticated chassis.
The rear subframe serves as the backbone of the vehicle’s rear suspension system. It is a heavy-duty structural member that anchors the suspension links, supports the rear differential, and manages the immense loads generated during acceleration, braking, and cornering. In a vehicle with the performance capabilities of a Range Rover Sport—particularly high-output variants like the SV Edition One—the subframe is subjected to significant stress.
The automaker’s internal investigation revealed that cracks could potentially form during the forging process itself. This means the flaw exists within the metal before the part is even delivered to the Solihull plant for final vehicle assembly. The timeline for the discovery was very specific: on June 4, 2026, a forging defect was identified in a rear subframe still at the supplier’s facility. The part was immediately quarantined, and a broader audit was launched to determine if any previously shipped parts carried the same defect.
One of the primary challenges in identifying this flaw was its elusive nature. Jaguar Land Rover discovered that the cracks were often hidden from plain sight. Standard manual quality inspections frequently failed to flag the issue because the final machining steps—where the subframe is smoothed or drilled for bolt holes—could effectively mask the surface cracks from visual checks. It was only through a more rigorous forensic analysis of the supplier’s production records and the parts themselves that the extent of the forging issue was realized.
From a safety perspective, a cracked rear subframe is a serious concern. If a crack is present, it can propagate over time due to the vibrations and stresses of everyday driving. If the subframe were to suffer a structural failure while the vehicle is in motion, it could lead to a sudden change in suspension geometry, affecting steering, stability, and braking. Such a failure significantly increases the risk of a loss of vehicle control and subsequent injury in a crash.
Despite the potential severity of the defect, Jaguar Land Rover’s filing with the NHTSA indicates that there have been no reported accidents, injuries, or fires related to this issue in the United States. The recall is being handled as a proactive measure based on the quality control findings at the supplier level rather than a reaction to failures in the field.
How Jaguar Land Rover Plans To Fix It
To resolve the issue, Jaguar Land Rover has instructed its dealer network to perform comprehensive inspections on all vehicles identified in the recall population. If a crack is confirmed during the inspection, or if the vehicle is confirmed to have a subframe from the high-risk batch, the dealer will replace the entire rear subframe assembly.
The repair process follows two distinct paths depending on the vehicle’s production data. For vehicles where records definitively show the installation of a defective part, the remedy is a direct replacement. For vehicles where the records are less certain but the vehicle falls within the suspicious production window, a physical inspection is required first. If the inspection reveals any signs of forging irregularities, the replacement protocol is triggered.
As with all safety recalls mandated by the NHTSA, the inspection and any necessary repairs will be performed at no cost to the vehicle owner. Jaguar Land Rover has emphasized that all 2024 to 2026 Range Rover Sport owners whose vehicles are flagged should prioritize this service visit.
While the NHTSA recall summary outlines the standard procedures for owner notification, a specific start date for the mailing of formal notification letters has not been finalized, though the process usually begins within 60 days of the filing. However, owners do not need to wait for a physical letter to arrive in their mailbox to take action.
Automotive safety experts recommend that owners of potentially affected vehicles contact their local Land Rover retailer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Dealers have access to the most up-to-date service bulletins and can confirm a vehicle’s status immediately.
Until the inspection is completed and the vehicle is cleared or repaired, Jaguar Land Rover suggests that owners exercise caution. Specifically, the automaker advises against heavy towing or severe off-road use. These activities place the highest levels of stress on the rear subframe and could potentially accelerate the growth of any existing cracks. While the vehicle remains safe for normal commuting under most conditions, avoiding extreme loads is a prudent temporary measure until the structural integrity of the chassis can be verified by a factory-trained technician.
This recall underscores the complexities of modern vehicle manufacturing and the importance of rigorous supplier oversight. Even for a premium brand like Land Rover, which prides itself on the robustness of its "Go Anywhere" engineering, the reliance on global supply chains for critical components means that quality control must be maintained at every stage of production—from the initial forging of raw metal to the final bolt tightened on the assembly line.
