Investigations
Door latch failure
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA18004 — closed, opened 2018-07-02 and involving the LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT.
NHTSA investigation EA18004 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2018-07-02 and currently closed. The subject of record is LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for LAND ROVER. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2019-10-17 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA18004 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On May 24, 2019, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (JLR) submitted two Part 573 letters to NHTSA describing door latch defects that could result in doors opening while driving in certain model year (MY) 2013-2016 Rang..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related LAND ROVER files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On May 24, 2019, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (JLR) submitted two Part 573 letters to NHTSA describing door latch defects that could result in doors opening while driving in certain model year (MY) 2013-2016 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles equipped with JLR’s Unilatch Keyless Vehicle (KV) entry system. Recall 19V-392 (JLR Recall N335) describes a KV lever binding defect in approximately 65,385 MY 2013-2016 Range Rover and MY 2014-2016 Range Rover Sport vehicles built between May 9, 2012 and March 5, 2015. Moisture intrusion may result in KV motor bearing corrosion, which may prevent the KV lever from returning to the home position and prevent the latch pawl from properly engaging the latch claw. Vehicles recalled under 19V-392 will be checked for a pre-existing error state and mechanically disabled if an error is detected. If no error is detected, the vehicles will receive a software update that will disable the KV entry function on the vehicle. Recall 19V-390 (JLR Recall N336) describes a defect in the KV latching system of left-side doors in approximately 28,671 MY 2016 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles built between October 1, 2015 and May 27, 2016. A spring in the KV latching system may jam between the outside transmission lever and chamfer bush, preventing the latch assembly from returning to its correct position and fully latching the door. Vehicles recalled under 19V-390 will have the left-side latch assemblies replaced with assemblies that meet the engineering specification. ODI’s analysis of consumer complaints and field reports identified a total of 161 latch failures in the subject vehicles, including 57 involving doors opening with the vehicle in motion. The analysis found that 157 of the latch complaints and 56 of the door opening in motion incidents involve vehicles and latch assemblies covered under Recalls 19V-390 and 19V-392. Engineering Analysis EA18-004 is closed based upon JLR’s recall actions. For more information abo
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other LAND ROVER Investigations
Rear Seat Belt Stitching Failure and Detachment
2014-2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport (L494) front steering knuckle fractures
High Voltage Coolant Heaters may fail to defrost windshield
Loss of Brake Power Assist
Spoiler Cover Detachment
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.