Third-row latch problematic for new Land Rover Defender 130; Bentley Continental GTC strikes airbag trouble
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Australia has issued a recall for its new 2023 Land Rover Defender 130, even before the first customer cars are handed over.
carsales understands a selection of the country’s leading JLR dealerships have taken delivery of Defender 130 demonstrator vehicles this month, while the first batch heading for private buyers are also due to arrive in the days ahead.
The fault with the new eight-seater version of the latest-generation Land Rover Defender revolves around a manufacturing defect in the third-row seat backrest locking mechanisms.
In the recall notice, the company said: “In the event of an accident or hard braking, the rear seat backrest could collapse towards the passengers.
“If the rear seat backrest collapses towards the passengers unintentionally, it could increase the risk of injury or death to the vehicle occupants.”
At this stage it should only be the demonstrator models in need of repair, and hopefully nips the problem in the bud before reaching customers.
JLR Australia is confident any customer vehicles found with the fault in the coming weeks will be repaired prior to delivery.
Where a latch doesn’t operate properly, the seat frame and associated components will be replaced.
Recall notice – Click here
VIN list: Land Rover Defender 130
Bentley Continental GTC
Bentley Continental GTC
A recall for 60 examples of the Bentley Continental GTC produced between 2019 and 2020 has also been issued to rectify a potentially compromised airbag which may have been slit by the deflector bracket.
According to the recall notice, the riveting used to secure the deflector bracket “may have a sharp edge and could come in contact with the airbag”.
“This could result in a tear in the airbag and reduce its effectiveness,” the company said.
Bentley Australia has urged owners of affected vehicles to contact their nearest official retailer “as soon as possible” to have the vehicle inspected and repaired.
Recall notice – Click here
VIN list: Bentley Continental GTC
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Keyword: Recall wrap: Land Rover Defender 130 recalled before launch