Jaguar Issues Recall Over Fuel Lines
Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling a handful of 2017 vehicles after discovering a problem with their fuel return hoses.
The manufacturer notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on April 27, 2017 about the faulty hoses. The recall covers seven 2017 Jaguar XE diesel vehicles.
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Jaguar Land Rover said the vehicles suffer from leaky fuel return hoses. Drivers may notice a distinct fuel odor as well as an observable liquid fuel puddle beneath the vehicle. Leaking fuel could create a skid hazard for other vehicles, and if leaking fuel strikes a sufficiently hot surface it could potentially ignite.
According to Jaguar Land Rover’s chronology posted on the NHTSA website, their fuel return hose supplier notified them of an increased failure rate on March 7, 2017. Jaguar Land Rover then began its investigation and testing, after which the company held all suspect vehicles at their manufacturing facilities.
The manufacturer determined the fuel return hoses were not built as thickly as specified, causing the factory’s forming machine to give them an incorrect inside hose diameter. The supplier’s vulcanization process was found insufficiently robust as well, causing hose shrinkage and a connector joint durability loss.
Jaguar Land Rover said there are no reported accidents, injuries or fires connected to the hose issue.
The fuel return hose diverts excess fuel back to the tank rather than over-pressurizing. It helps prevent vapor locking by circulating cooler fuel through the pump instead of vaporizing in the lines, and helps reduce post fuel pump line pressure, minimizing wear and tear on the pump.
Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel return hose free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 19, 2017. Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar’s number for this recall is H016. Jaguar Land Rover owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to assist you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.