Dive Brief:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a preliminary evaluation of roughly 92,000 Range Rover Sport SUVs on June 27 after receiving 12 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires alleging cracked front steering knuckles.
- The probe extends to 2014-2017 Range Rover Sport models manufactured by Jaguar Land Rover and built on the automaker’s L494 chassis.
- The questionnaires received by the NHTSA allege that one or both of the aluminum front steering knuckles had fractured where the steering knuckle attaches to the upper control arm, which is secured using a pinch bolt.
Dive Insight:
If the aluminum steering knuckle cracks, it can cause the upper control to detach while driving, which can lead to a loss of control that increases the risk of a crash, according to the NHTSA. However, the NHTSA is also not aware of any injuries or accidents as a result of this condition.
The purpose of the preliminary evaluation is to determine the scope, severity, and root cause of the condition. Although vehicle manufacturers can initiate many safety recalls, others may be influenced by the outcome of NHTSA investigations or may be ordered by the agency for more serious safety concerns, according to an online consumer guide.
The NHTSA is also responsible for monitoring an OEM’s corrective action to ensure successful completion of any recall campaign.
The Range Rover models built on the automaker’s second-generation L494 chassis were produced from 2013 through 2022, but not all models are included in the NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation.
In May, Ford Motor Co. recalled over 29,000 F-150 Lightning pickups for a similar front suspension concern. The recall was due to an improperly torqued nut for the ball joint which secures the front upper control arm to the knuckle assembly, which may come loose and cause the upper control arm to detach.
Ford also recalled 4,600 model year 2024 Mustangs last summer for rear aluminum suspension knuckle casting imperfections that may lead to fractures and increase the risk of a crash.
