Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover Evoque Recall R/2016/289: Electrical Short Circuit, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 31 Jan 2017
- Launched
- 4,964
- vehicles in the UK
- Q645
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Land Rover recalled Discovery, Range Rover Evoque vehicles built between 4 July 2016 and 10 October 2016. The engine wiring harness of the 2.0ltr engined vehicles fitted with automatic transmission may have been incorrectly routed which may allow the wiring harness to contact the water charge air cooler bracket. The dealer will repair if the engine harness shows signs of chafing the engine harness re-positioned to ensure the correct specification. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The engine wiring harness of the 2.0ltr engined vehicles fitted with automatic transmission may have been incorrectly routed which may allow the wiring harness to contact the water charge air cooler bracket. Engine vibration can cause a chaffing condition where the outer sheathing of the cable can wear through and expose the wires of the engine harness. Depending on the orientation of the wires within the harness then damage to wires can result in electrical arcing and a short circuit. This condition can also result in the illumination of a warning light on the instrument panel loss of the electronic steering system engine cut out without warning melting of the cable sheathing and surrounding parts. Also in extreme circumstances it can cause an under-bonnet fire.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT Defect: It has been identified that the engine wiring harness of the 2.0ltr engined vehicles fitted with automatic transmission may have been incorrectly routed which may allow the wiring harness to contact the water charge air cooler bracket. Engine vibration can cause a chaffing condition where the outer sheathing of the cable can wear through and expose the wires of the engine harness. Depending on the orientation of the wires within the harness then damage to wires can result in electrical arcing and a short circuit. This condition can also result in the illumination of a warning light on the instrument panel loss of the electronic steering system engine cut out without warning melting of the cable sheathing and surrounding parts. Also in extreme circumstances it can cause an under-bonnet fire. Remedy: All affected vehicles will be recalled to inspect the clearance between the engine harness and water charge air cooler bracket. If the clearance is not to the correct specification the wiring harness will be repositioned and secured to ensure the specified clearance is achieved. If the engine harness shows signs of chafing the engine harness will be repaired re-positioned to ensure the correct specification.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause a chaffing condition where the outer sheathing of the cable can wear through and expose the wires of the engine harness.
The Fix
The dealer will repair if the engine harness shows signs of chafing the engine harness re-positioned to ensure the correct specification.
Are You Affected?
Discovery, Range Rover Evoque built between 4 July 2016 and 10 October 2016 may be included. Land Rover estimates 4,964 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Land Rover, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Land Rover.
- Book with any franchised Land Rover dealer, quoting the campaign code Q645 or the DVSA reference R/2016/289. See how to get a Land Rover recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defender, Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and 1 moreD6 idler pulley clash | Low | R/2026/241 | |
| Defender, Discovery, Range RoverDriver’s airbag potential Non-Deployment | Urgent | R/2026/245 | |
| Defender, DiscoveryDefender and Discovery 2026 model year fuel tank wall thickness | Urgent | R/2026/177 | |
| Defender, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover VelarE-PACE F-PACE Defender Discovery Sport Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar PHEV traction battery fire risk | Urgent | R/2025/553 | |
| Range Rover EvoqueLand Rover Range Rover Evoque inappropriate passenger airbag deployment | Urgent | R/2025/252 |
This is one of 159 Land Rover recalls in DVSA’s data. The Land Rover recall launched before it was R/2016/307 on 31 Dec 2016, for front passenger airbag may not deploy. The one launched after it was R/2017/103 on 1 May 2017, for front passenger airbag may not deploy. You can also see every Land Rover recall, all recalls launched in 2017 and door and latch recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/289, launched 31 January 2017. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.