About 37,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles are being recalled because they are equipped with faulty front passenger seatbelt retractors that could make it difficult to install a child car seat securely. According to Consumer Reports, the rear seatbelts are not included in the recall, and installing a child seat in the front passenger seat is not recommended. Faulty seatbelt components can create a safety risk for passengers in affected vehicles.
Details of the Seatbelt Recall
Documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that the recalled vehicles are from the 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years. About 9,000 recalled vehicles are Jaguar sedans and SUVs, while the remaining 28,000 are Land Rover SUVs. The problem is with a component called an automatic locking retractor (ALR), which locks a seatbelt for a secure car seat installation.
Because the belt needs to be tight to hold a child’s car seat in place, a defective ALR could make it difficult to install one using a seatbelt securely. Correct car seat positioning could increase the child’s risk of injury in a crash. This recall is similar to recent ones from other automakers because the defective parts all come from the same supplier, Autoliv.
NHTSA says there haven’t been reports of accidents or injuries relating to these defective seatbelts. When the recall begins in October, Jaguar and Land Rover dealers will inspect and replace the seatbelt assemblies as necessary, free of charge.
Auto Product Liability Issues with Seatbelt Retractors
Seatbelt retractors are an essential part of the seat restraint system that keeps passengers in place in the event of a car accident. They are part of the seat restraint system that prevents passengers from getting partially or wholly ejected during a crash. When that happens, vehicle occupants could suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries. In this case, the defective retractors could potentially prevent the proper installation of a child car seat, putting the most vulnerable passengers at risk of serious injuries.
If you own a recalled vehicle, you must take it to the dealership for an inspection immediately. Federal law always provides free recall repairs. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a vehicle defect, please contact an experienced auto defect lawyer for more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/jaguar-land-rover-vehicles-recalled-seat-belt-concerns-a1192308684/
