The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary evaluation into an estimated 29,688 Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) vehicles due to improperly stitched seat belts. The probe assesses potential safety risks from stitching defects that could compromise belt integrity during crashes.
NHTSA opened the investigation following complaints and data indicating manufacturing flaws in seat belt stitching across certain JLR models. Improper stitching may weaken the belts' load-bearing capacity, raising crash injury risks. JLR must now provide data on affected vehicles, failure rates, and remedies.
Key Highlights
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Scope of Probe: Covers ~29,688 vehicles in the U.S. market from recent model years.
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Safety Concern: Stitching defects could cause belt failure or reduced effectiveness in collisions.
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Investigation Phase: Preliminary evaluation to determine if a full recall is warranted.
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JLR Response: Expected to submit engineering analysis and proposed fixes.
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Owner Action: Check VIN on NHTSA site for updates as probe advances.
Source: NHTSA official announcement, automotive safety filings.