Land Rover Recalls 250,000 Defender, Discovery & Range Rover Vehicles Over Airbag Issue

A major safety recall is affecting more than 250,000 Land Rover SUVs after Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) identified a defect that could prevent the driver’s airbag from deploying during a crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall impacts certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover models. The issue stems from corrosion that can develop inside the driver’s airbag connector over time, increasing electrical resistance and potentially preventing the airbag from deploying when it is needed most.

For vehicle owners, an airbag defect is more than an inconvenience – it is a serious safety concern. If your Land Rover has experienced repeated airbag warning lights, electrical issues, or multiple unsuccessful repair attempts, you may have rights under your state’s lemon law.

Quick Takeaways

• More than 250,000 Land Rover SUVs have been recalled due to a defect that could prevent the driver’s airbag from deploying during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
• Affected models include certain 2020–2026 Defender, 2021–2026 Discovery, and 2022–2026 Range Rover vehicles.
• The issue is caused by fretting corrosion that can develop on the driver’s airbag connector over time, increasing electrical resistance in the airbag circuit.
• Many affected vehicles will display an airbag warning light 300–400 miles before the airbag could potentially fail to deploy, giving owners an opportunity to seek repairs.
• Land Rover dealers will repair affected vehicles free of charge by applying a protective gel to the airbag connector terminals rather than replacing major components.
• At the time of the recall announcement, Jaguar Land Rover reported no known U.S. crashes, injuries, or confirmed airbag non-deployment incidents related to this defect.
• If your Land Rover is included in the recall and has experienced repeated airbag warning lights or other safety-related issues, you may have legal options beyond the recall, especially if the problem persists after repair.

Which Land Rover Models Are Being Recalled?

According to the NHTSA recall report, approximately 250,857 vehicles are included in the recall.

Model	Model Years	Estimated Vehicles Affected	Production Dates
Land Rover Defender	2020-2026	97,552	Oct. 16, 2019 – May 28, 2026
Land Rover Discovery	2021-2026	83,620	Sept. 14, 2020 – Jun. 4, 2026
Land Rover Range Rover	2022-2026	69,685	Jul. 8, 2021 – Jun. 3, 2026
Total	–	250,857	–

Source: NHTSA Recall No. 26V389 / Land Rover Recall D120.

What Is the Airbag Problem?

Jaguar Land Rover discovered that the driver’s airbag clockspring connector can develop fretting corrosion over time.

Fretting corrosion occurs when tiny vibrations repeatedly rub two metal contact surfaces together. Over time, oxidation builds up on the connector pins, increasing electrical resistance within the airbag circuit.

If resistance becomes high enough, the driver’s airbag may fail to deploy during a collision, increasing the risk of serious injury.

Is There Any Warning Before the Airbag Stops Working?

Fortunately, JLR says many affected vehicles will provide an early warning.

Engineering testing found that the airbag warning light should illuminate approximately 300 to 400 miles before the airbag could potentially fail to deploy.

If you notice an illuminated:

• Airbag warning light
• Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning
• “Airbag Fault” message
• Safety restraint warning

you should schedule service immediately rather than continuing to drive indefinitely with the warning illuminated.

Has Anyone Been Injured?

According to Jaguar Land Rover:

• No crashes related to this defect have been reported in the United States.
• No injuries have been reported.
• No fatalities have been reported.
• The company has not received any U.S. reports of airbags failing to deploy because of this issue.

Even without reported injuries, NHTSA determined that a driver’s airbag that may fail to deploy presents an unacceptable safety risk requiring a recall.

How Did Land Rover Discover the Problem?

The investigation began after Land Rover observed an increase in warranty claims involving illuminated airbag warning lights.

Engineers analyzed returned components and found oxidation on the clockspring connector terminals. Months of testing eventually demonstrated that normal vehicle vibration could create fretting corrosion under certain conditions.

Although investigators could not identify a specific subgroup of vehicles that was more susceptible than others, JLR ultimately concluded the safest course of action was to recall the entire affected population.

What Is the Repair?

Unlike many recalls that require replacement parts, this repair is relatively straightforward.

Land Rover dealers will:

• Inspect the affected airbag connector
• Apply a protective lubricant gel to the connector terminals
• Perform the repair free of charge

No major airbag components are expected to be replaced during the recall. Instead, the protective lubricant helps prevent future corrosion from developing on the electrical connection.

When Will Owners Be Notified?

According to the recall schedule:

• Dealer notifications begin June 26, 2026
• Owner notification letters are expected to begin on or before August 7, 2026

Owners can also check their VIN through the NHTSA recall database or contact a Land Rover dealership to determine whether their vehicle is affected.

What If Your Land Rover Keeps Having Problems?

While recalls are intended to correct safety defects, they do not always solve every vehicle’s problems.

If your Land Rover continues experiencing:

• Repeated airbag warning lights
• Electrical system failures
• Multiple trips to the dealership for the same issue
• Other recurring defects affecting safety or reliability

you may have additional legal protections beyond the recall itself.

Many state lemon laws require manufacturers to repurchase or replace vehicles that cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts while under warranty.

Can an Airbag Recall Lead to a Lemon Law Claim?

Potentially, yes.

A recall alone does not automatically qualify a vehicle as a lemon. However, if:

• the recalled condition cannot be successfully repaired,
• the warning continues returning,
• the vehicle spends an excessive amount of time at the dealership, or
• the defect substantially affects safety,

you may have a valid lemon law claim depending on your state’s laws.

Airbags are among the most important safety systems in any vehicle. Persistent defects involving occupant protection systems are often taken very seriously in lemon law cases.

Auto Lemon Lawyer Can Help

If your Land Rover Defender, Discovery, or Range Rover has experienced recurring airbag problems, repeated warning lights, or multiple unsuccessful repair attempts, you may have legal options beyond the manufacturer’s recall.

Auto Lemon Lawyer helps consumers determine whether their vehicle qualifies for relief under applicable lemon law statutes. Contact us today for a free case review to learn whether you may be entitled to a vehicle buyback, replace