By Deji Osas
In a sweeping move to address growing safety concerns, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Ford Motor Company have issued large-scale recalls involving nearly 900,000 vehicles due to critical defects in airbags and engine systems, potentially putting millions of drivers and passengers at risk.
JLR Recalls Nearly 21,000 Range Rover Evoques Over Airbag Hazard
Jaguar Land Rover is recalling 20,999 units of its popular Range Rover Evoque SUV across model years 2021 through 2025, following the discovery of a potentially dangerous defect in the front passenger airbag system. According to documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the airbag may tear during deployment, significantly reducing its ability to protect passengers during a crash and possibly releasing hot gas that could cause burns.
“Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC is recalling certain 2021–2025 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. The passenger airbag may tear during deployment,” the NHTSA announced.
The affected vehicles were produced at JLR’s Halewood plant in the United Kingdom between July 10, 2020, and October 7, 2024. The defect was first observed during internal testing in May 2023, when engineers noted irregular airbag deployments. After months of investigation, the issue was traced to inconsistencies in airbag folding during the assembly process.
JLR officially acknowledged the defect on June 30, 2025, and quickly filed a safety recall report with federal regulators. While no injuries or crashes have been linked to the issue so far, the company is urging customers to bring their vehicles in for a free airbag module replacement.
“Dealers will replace the passenger airbag module at no cost. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed starting August 29, 2025,” NHTSA confirmed.
Vehicle owners can check if their SUV is affected by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on either the NHTSA’s recall website or Jaguar Land Rover’s official portal.
This recall follows another troubling development for JLR, as U.S. regulators recently launched a separate investigation into over 90,000 Land Rover vehicles over possible steering knuckle failures—a defect that could lead to wheel separation while driving.
Ford Recalls Over 850,000 Vehicles Globally for Engine Stalling Risk
Meanwhile, in a far larger recall, Ford Motor Company has announced the recall of over 850,000 vehicles worldwide, including more than 844,000 units in the United States alone, due to a defect that could cause engine stalling during operation. The culprit: a faulty low-pressure fuel pump that may fail without warning, shutting off the engine and increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected Ford models span some of the automaker’s most iconic nameplates, including the:
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Ford F-150 pickup truck
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Ford Bronco
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Ford Mustang
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Ford Explorer
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And several Lincoln models, including the Nautilus and Aviator SUVs
All vehicles were produced between 2021 and 2023.
According to Ford, the defect was discovered after an uptick in reports of sudden engine stalls while driving. While the company has not released an official fix yet, it has promised a resolution and stated that owners will receive two separate notifications: the first starting July 14, 2025, alerting them of the recall, and a second letter once a permanent remedy has been determined.
Ford has already issued 88 safety recalls in 2025 alone, more than any other automaker has issued in a single calendar year, reflecting a surge in quality control challenges.
“This surge in recall activity is part of our proactive strategy to identify and address hardware and software concerns as early as possible,” a Ford spokesperson said.
A Growing Industry Reckoning on Vehicle Safety
The twin recalls by Jaguar Land Rover and Ford add to mounting scrutiny of automotive safety practices across the global industry. As vehicles become increasingly complex, blending traditional mechanics with advanced electronics and software, automakers are being forced to grapple with quality assurance failures that affect not just driver experience—but also life-saving safety systems.
Consumer watchdogs have urged vehicle owners to stay vigilant about recall notices and respond promptly to manufacturer communications.
“These recalls are a stark reminder that no brand is immune to design flaws. Timely action can mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophe,” said automotive safety analyst Dr. Helena Cruz.
With millions of vehicles potentially affected and more investigations underway, the pressure is on for automakers to regain public trust and ensure that safety remains the industry’s top priority.
