JLR and FCA to recall vehicles due to emissions problems

14 March 2019

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Fiat Chrysler (FCA) have been forced to recall thousands of vehicles due to emissions issues.

JLR has said that regulators found the vehicles concerned may emit ′excessive’ levels of CO2. The recall will apply to ten Jaguar and Land Rover models fitted with either 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel engines, which emit more CO2 than their initial certification.

The voluntary recall affects certain versions of the Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, F-Type, XE and XF, and the Land Rover Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Evoque and Velar made between 2016 and 2019. Jaguar Land Rover is contacting owners whose cars are affected.

The UK Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) discovered the issue and informed Jaguar Land Rover. In turn, the carmaker reported the issued to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which handles recalls, and an alert was issued via the European Commission’s rapid alert system.

In a statement, Jaguar Land Rover said: ′Affected vehicles are being rectified to ensure the correct CO2 performance is dependably achieved. The modifications made to affected vehicles will be made free of charge, and every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience to the customer during the short time required for the work to be carried out.’

The company recently announced that it was the first manufacturer to put its cars to the test with the AIR Index, the new independent on-road emissions testing procedure, which found that its diesel models have some of the lowest nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of any car on sale today.

Four models, including 2.0-litre versions of the E-Pace, Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque – models affected by the recall – were given an ′A’ rating, signifying that each of them emits between 0-80mg/km of NOx.

Meanwhile, FCA is to recall 865,000 vehicles in the US that do not meet emissions standards set out by the country, after settling claims that it manufactured vehicles that emitted more pollution than legally allowed.

The voluntary recall of 2011 through 2016 model year Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler vehicles will be implemented throughout the year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said. The body added that it would continue to investigate non-compliant FCA vehicles, which could also be subject to future recalls.

′EPA welcomes the action by Fiat Chrysler to voluntarily recall its vehicles that do not meet U.S. emissions standards,’ said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. ‘We will assist consumers navigating the recall and continue to ensure that auto manufacturers abide by our nation’s laws designed to protect human health and the environment.’

In addition, the Italian company is recalling more than 60,000 Alfa Romeo cars and crossovers worldwide as the vehicles’ adaptive cruise control may fail to deactivate – or could even accelerate – if the driver taps the brakes.

The recall concerns certain 2017-19 Giulia sedans and 2018-19 Stelvio crossovers. A large number of the affected vehicles are still at dealerships and inconvenience to customers will therefore be minimal, the company has said.