Land Rover Defender Class Action: Are Your Windshields Cracking?

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Jaguar Land Rover, alleging that the windshields in their 2020-2022 Defender models are defective and prone to cracking or chipping without apparent cause.

Consumers Affected: Owners and lessees of 2020-2022 Land Rover Defender vehicles.

Reason for Lawsuit: Allegations that Land Rover knew about the defective windshields but failed to disclose the issue to consumers or provide adequate remedies, leading to financial losses and potential safety risks for drivers.

Court: The class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Land Rover Defender display at a dealership

Lawsuit Claims Defect in 2020-2022 Models Causes Spontaneous Shattering

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Jaguar Land Rover alleging that its 2020-2022 Defender vehicles are equipped with defective windshields prone to cracking or chipping without apparent cause.  

Plaintiffs Jason Rains, David Cerutti, Paige Bishop, Carlos Guidorizzi, Heather Richards, and Brian Gresh are representing a proposed class of owners and lessees of the affected vehicles. They allege that Land Rover knew or should have known about the defect but failed to disclose it to consumers or rectify the issue.

"Upon information and belief, the Defect occurs due to either deficient materials used to make the windshield itself and/or a deficiency in installation of the windshields and/or the structure of the Class Vehicles," the Land Rover defective windshield lawsuit states.

Windshields Cracking Without Cause, Lawsuit Claims

The lawsuit contends that the windshields are defective due to either faulty materials or improper installation. Plaintiffs argue that the defects have led to windshield failures under normal driving conditions, including incidents where no impact occurred. In some cases, windshields have cracked spontaneously while vehicles were in car washes.  

Plaintiff Jason Rains details his experience when his Landrover Defender’s windshield cracked while going through a car wash. Despite providing evidence of the defect to a Land Rover dealership, the company refused to cover the repair or replacement under warranty. Rains and other plaintiffs have incurred significant costs for windshield repairs and replacements, including calibration fees and the purchase of additional coverage.

According to the lawsuit, “Land Rover UK knew of and concealed the Defect that is contained in every Class Vehicle, along with the attendant dangerous safety problems and associated repair costs, from Plaintiffs and the other Class Members both at the time of sale and repair and thereafter.”

Land Rover Accused of Concealing Known Defect, Leaving Drivers at Risk

The complaint recounts the safety risks associated with defective windshields, including impaired visibility, distracted driving, and the potential for glass fragments to cause injuries. Plaintiffs argue that Land Rover's failure to address the issue constitutes a breach of warranty and deceptive trade practices.

Meanwhile, Subaru recently settled a similar class action lawsuit over alleged defective windshields. This case, filed back in 2019 but settled in April 2024, alleged that windshields on certain Subaru vehicles were prone to spontaneous cracking and often required multiple repairs, causing significant inconveniences to Subaru owners.

In the Land Rover defective windshield class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs seek damages for all affected vehicle owners and lessees, including reimbursement for repair costs, diminished vehicle value, and inconvenience. They are also asking for injunctive relief requiring Land Rover to recall the defective vehicles and repair or replace the windshields at no cost to consumers.

Case Details

  • Lawsuit: Rains et al v. Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC et al
  • Case Number: 2:24-cv-07846-EP-JSA
  • Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

  • Sergei Lemberg (Lemberg Law LLC)
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