JLR, parent company of Land Rover, has recalled 498 Defender SUVs from model year 2026 because their third-row seat belts may not function properly in an accident.
The company tells federal safety officials that studs in the third row fractured several times as workers tightened seat belt assembly bolts into them. After inspection, the company found a shipment of studs weaker than designed.
JLR is not aware of any field reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem. But dealers will replace the third-row lower seat belt anchorage in all vehicles built with parts from that shipment out of an abundance of caution.
Recall repairs are always free.
Automakers recall many cars to fix safety defects, sometimes more than once. While automakers try to reach every owner to ask them to bring the vehicle in for repair, they rarely get them all. Millions of vehicles on American roads need free recall repairs. To find out if your car is one of them, check the easy VIN tool at our recall center.
