Land Rover announced last week the recall of approximately 7,100 model-year 2018 Range Rover Velar SUVs due to windows that could fog over and stay that way. They blame the problem on air inlet door linkages that can detach in the ventilation systems and prevent the clearing of fog or condensation.
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Land Rover learned from dealers about drivers that couldn't remove the fog and condensation using the heating and cooling systems. Engineers determined the hard stops used to control the inlet door movements were not to the original specification, allowing the doors to move too far.
The automaker was told by the supplier the stops used for the air inlet doors had been moved from the actuators to the casing for the heating and cooling systems. Land Rover says it never requested the change and the supplier failed to let the automaker know about the changes.
Fogged windows make driving difficult, but the automaker says there have been no crash or injury reports. To make sure things stay this way, dealers will need the SUVs back for a while.
Land Rover dealers will update the software that controls the length of movements of the ventilation actuator arms.
The recall is expected to begin April 23, 2018, but owners with questions about the 2018 Range Rover Velar recall should call 800-637-6837 and ask about number N143.
If you're still not sure whether your vehicle is affected by this or any other recall, you can always go to the website for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and enter your vehicle's 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
With due respect to the potential danger this could cause, and the importance of sharing recall news in general, I still can't resist the impulse to mention that fogged windows are one of those Land Rover problems that occur with such regularity that some of us refer to it as a "feature."
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