Range Rover Steering Fractures: NHTSA Expands Investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has escalated its investigation into dangerous steering knuckle fractures affecting Land Rover Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles, expanding the scope to include model years 2018-2022. This development, detailed in Engineering Analysis EA26003, represents a significant safety concern that could leave California Range Rover owners with substantial lemon law protections under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.

NHTSA Expands Range Rover Steering Investigation

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has upgraded its preliminary evaluation to a full Engineering Analysis, citing continued reports of front steering knuckle fractures that can cause complete loss of vehicle control. The investigation now covers:

• 2014-2017 Range Rover Sport vehicles (original scope)
• 2014-2017 Range Rover vehicles (added during preliminary evaluation)
• 2018-2022 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles (newly expanded scope)

The agency reports receiving at least 12 Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaire complaints describing steering knuckle fractures occurring “at the joint where the steering knuckle attaches to the upper control arm ball joint.” Most concerning, NHTSA continues receiving new complaints, including recent reports involving 2020 and 2021 Range Rover L405 vehicles.

The Safety Risk: Complete Loss of Vehicle Control

According to NHTSA’s investigation findings, fracture of the front suspension knuckle can lead to detachment of the upper suspension arm, resulting in “the driver’s inability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.” This represents one of the most serious types of automotive defects—those that can cause sudden, unexpected loss of vehicle control without warning.

The steering knuckle is a critical suspension component that connects the wheel assembly to the vehicle’s suspension system. When this component fractures, drivers may experience:

• Sudden loss of steering control
• Vehicle pulling sharply to one side
• Complete inability to steer the affected wheel
• Increased crash risk, particularly at highway speeds

Previous Recall Proves Inadequate

Jaguar Land Rover issued safety recall 25V514 on August 5, 2025, covering certain 2014-2017 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles. However, the recall remedy has raised questions about its effectiveness:

• Fractured knuckles: Replacement with “a new knuckle of a substantially similar design”
• Non-fractured knuckles: Installation of a brace “to prevent the component from completely separating should a fracture develop”

NHTSA notes that despite this recall, complaints continue to arrive, and the agency is now evaluating both the component design and the adequacy of the recall remedies.

California Range Rover Lemon Law Rights Under Song-Beverly

California Range Rover owners experiencing steering knuckle problems may have significant protections under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, California’s lemon law. This state law provides much stronger consumer protections than federal warranty laws.

Song-Beverly Warranty Coverage Requirements

Under the Song-Beverly Act, manufacturers must warrant that new motor vehicles:

• Are free from defects that substantially impair use, value, or safety
• Conform to all applicable express warranties
• Meet reasonable consumer expectations for quality and performance

Steering knuckle fractures clearly fall under this protection as they create substantial safety impairment and prevent the vehicle from conforming to reasonable expectations.

Reasonable Repair Attempts Standard

The Song-Beverly Act establishes specific standards for manufacturer repair obligations:

• Safety defects: Even one failed repair attempt may be unreasonable if the defect creates a safety hazard
• Four or more repair attempts: Creates a rebuttable presumption that the vehicle is a lemon
• 30+ days out of service: Also creates a lemon law presumption
• Continuing problems: Pattern of recurring issues strengthens lemon law claims

Given the safety-critical nature of steering knuckle fractures, California courts may find that even one failed repair attempt is unreasonable, particularly if the manufacturer’s remedy (such as the brace installation) proves inadequate.

Manufacturer Buyback and Replacement Obligations

When a vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Song-Beverly, manufacturers must:

1. Repurchase the vehicle at full purchase price minus reasonable mileage offset
2. Replace with comparable new vehicle of equal value
3. Pay all collateral costs including taxes, registration, and finance charges
4. Cover attorney fees if legal action is required

For Range Rover owners, this could mean recovering the full purchase price of vehicles that often cost $60,000 to $100,000 or more.

Civil Penalties for Manufacturer Violations

The Song-Beverly Act includes powerful enforcement mechanisms:

• Double damages if manufacturer willfully violates the law
• Attorney fees paid by manufacturer even if case settles
• No cost to consumer for qualified lemon law claims

These provisions ensure that manufacturers cannot simply ignore their warranty obligations or drag out the process to discourage claims.

California Range Rover Sport Lemon Law Claims

Range Rover Sport owners in California should be particularly aware of their lemon law rights, as this model has been specifically identified in NHTSA’s investigation. The Sport’s popularity among California drivers, combined with its high purchase price and luxury positioning, makes Song-Beverly protection especially valuable.

Owners of Range Rover vehicles should document all steering-related problems, including:

• Any unusual steering behavior or vibrations
• Difficulty controlling the vehicle
• Repair attempts and dealer communications
• Time out of service for repairs
• Any safety incidents or near-misses

What Range Rover Owners Should Do Now

If you own a 2014-2022 Range Rover or Range Rover Sport and have experienced steering problems:

1. Document everything: Keep detailed records of all symptoms, repair attempts, and communications with dealers
2. Report safety concerns: File complaints with NHTSA to contribute to the ongoing investigation
3. Don’t accept inadequate repairs: If the problem persists after repair attempts, you may have lemon law rights
4. Understand your timeline: Song-Beverly claims must be filed within reasonable time periods
5. Get legal guidance: Consult with experienced California lemon law attorneys

The Investigation Continues

NHTSA’s expansion of this investigation to include 2018-2022 model years suggests the steering knuckle problem may be more widespread than initially recognized. The agency states it will “continue to investigate the component design and assess the potential safety risk” while evaluating whether the previous recall remedies are adequate.

This ongoing investigation strengthens the position of California Range Rover owners pursuing lemon law claims, as it provides additional evidence that the steering knuckle defect represents a substantial impairment of vehicle safety and value.

Your California Lemon Law Rights Matter

Range Rover steering knuckle fractures represent exactly the type of serious safety defect that California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act was designed to address. Unlike federal warranty laws, Song-Beverly provides strong, enforceable remedies that ensure manufacturers cannot simply ignore serious defects in expensive vehicles.

California Land Rover owners dealing with steering problems should not accept inadequate repairs or manufacturer delays. The Song-Beverly Act provides clear deadlines for manufacturers to fix defects or buy back defective vehicles, along with attorney fee coverage that makes legal action accessible to all consumers.

If you’re experiencing steering problems with your Range Rover or Range Rover Sport, don’t wait. The ongoing NHTSA investigation provides additional support for lemon law claims, but Song-Beverly’s time limits mean prompt action is essential to protect your rights.

Contact our experienced California lemon law attorneys today for a free consultation about your Range Rover steering problems and potential Song-Beverly claim. We’ll review your case at no cost and explain your options under California’s powerful consumer protection laws.