New Land Rover Discovery Sport, which has been produced between September 17 and November 3, 2014 have been recalled along with Range Rover Evoque built between July 15, 2013 and July 1, 2015. Land Rover estimates that some of these models could sport issues with transmission sensors and have hence issued a recall which could avoid risk of crash.
The company noted that these sensors with wire harnesses may not have been crimped closed. This could cause the vehicle to automatically shift into neutral which could lead to crash or mechanical failure. Over 22,000 cars are estimated to be affected by this issue globally.
The problem could be a software issue and a re-flash of this transmission software could eliminate the problem. Land Rover will send notices to owners of these models purchased within these specific periods to bring in their vehicles for a check-up. The process is set to commence from 14th October 2016. The automaker has reported that no accidents of injuries due to this issue have been reported to date while update of transmission software will be carried out by dealerships free of cost.
The issue of defects in transmission wiring came to light in June 2016 when ZF America contacted Land Rover over some problem noted by other automakers where transmission wiring harnesses were concerned. These were not crimped properly.
Land Rover also learnt that Fiat Chrysler issued a recall in July to set right these transmission issues while ZF recall was announced by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in August prompting the company to take such recall measures.
