A recall for the Ineos Grenadier appeared on the NHTSA site on 6th March 2025 – the third so far in the USA. The issue? The exterior door latch release mechanisms on 7,022 Grenadier SUVs in the U.S. (plus 452 in Canada) can lead to doors unexpectedly opening while driving—a severe safety hazard. This is a safety critical system, so malfunction is a serious matter.
For repair professionals, this recall raises crucial questions about parts availability, service network readiness, and how a young vehicle manufacturer like Ineos manages quality control as it scales production. Here’s a breakdown of what this means for shops and how to prepare.
Understanding the Issue: Sticky Door Buttons
At the heart of this recall is a lubrication defect. The exterior door buttons on affected Grenadiers, built between July 6, 2023, and April 19, 2024, weren’t adequately greased during manufacturing. Without sufficient lubrication, the buttons can stick in the depressed position, preventing doors from fully latching. If a driver or passenger doesn’t notice the partial latch, the door can swing open while the vehicle is in motion.
From a repair standpoint, this isn’t a mechanical failure in the traditional sense—there’s no structural defect in the latch assembly, just a poorly executed lubrication process. However, because it’s a safety-critical issue, it warrants replacing the affected button assemblies rather than just applying more grease.
The Fix: Simple But Logistically Challenging
The repair procedure itself is expected to be straightforward:
- Remove the faulty exterior door button mechanism.
- Replace it with an improved version that features better guidance and kinematic mechanisms.
- Ensure proper grease application and test for secure latching.
Ineos will cover the costs, and dealers will perform the fixes at no charge to customers, per recall standards. However, the challenge isn’t technical—it’s logistical.
With 7,022 units affected in the U.S., parts distribution is key. Ineos isn’t a manufacturer with a vast dealership and service network; it’s still growing. For example, a previous recall to check steering system nuts covering just 61 vehicles as of January 2025 had been completed on 47 vehicles after 6 months. This illustrates how hard it is to complete a recall.
Parts Supply & Service Network Strains
Part availability is a significant concern for independent repair shops and dealership service departments. Ineos must ensure that all 7,000+ replacement door mechanisms (4 per vehicle) are ready to ship, or delays could frustrate owners and dealers alike. Given the reported early warranty claims for sticky buttons as far back as October 2023, the question arises: why did it take until March 2025 for Ineos to issue a recall?
The first reports from \October 2023 indicated a lubrication issue, so Ineos published an instruction to dealers to check and remedy. Then a second wave of issues took place between February and June 2024 – none of them on the driver’s door – which resulted in further analysis. Again, a lubrication campaign via dealers was selected.
After further analysis Ineos decided the Grenadier should have the latch release mechanism replaced on all vehicles built before 19th April 2024.
Another challenge is service network capacity. While major metropolitan areas might handle the volume smoothly, smaller dealerships and service centres could face scheduling backlogs. If you’re an independent repair shop considering handling Ineos Grenadier service, now is the time to contact parts suppliers and check your eligibility for warranty-related repairs.
Timing: When Owners Will Seek Repairs
Owners won’t receive official recall notices until March 31 through May 4, 2025. This means the initial repair rush will likely hit in April and May, with a second wave as stragglers respond to their recall letters. During this timeframe, shops should prepare for a seasonal spike in Grenadier service requests.
Additionally, Ineos has halted new Grenadier sales until all affected vehicles on dealer lots are fixed. That’s a proactive step to prevent selling vehicles that need immediate recalls, but it also signals that Ineos is treating this issue seriously. Any dealership holding inventory must address these fixes before sales resume, which could affect service department priorities.
What This Means for Ineos Grenadier’s Reputation
For an SUV marketed as a rugged, no-nonsense adventure vehicle, doors popping open while driving is a not a great brand feature. The Grenadier is supposed to be the heir to the old-school Land Rover Defender—a no-frills off-roader priced from $76,700, engineered with Magna Steyr and powered by BMW inline-six engines. Buyers expect toughness and reliability.
The recall also questions Ineos’ quality control processes. Reports on social media suggest that some owners didn’t receive warning lights or chimes when their doors were improperly latched, although this is not reported by NHTSA.
This recall presents an opportunity for shops specializing in off-roaders and high-end SUVs: Independent service providers can step in, offering thorough inspections and reinforcement services to restore customer confidence.
What Repair Shops Should Do Now
- Check your supplier network for Ineos-approved replacement parts.
- Prepare for an April-May rush of Grenadier recall work.
- If you service off-roaders, market your expertise to Grenadier owners who may want additional inspections beyond the recall fix.
- Monitor Ineos’ recall execution—customers may seek alternative solutions if parts delays occur, giving independent shops a business opportunity.
- Stay updated on additional Grenadier reliability concerns. If this is the first of several quality issues, repair shops should be specialists in keeping the Grenadier adventure-ready. In the USA this is easily done via NHTSA, but for other markets such as Europe, the process is opaque.
Final Thoughts
While the Ineos Grenadier recall is nowhere near the scale of industry-wide crises like the Takata airbag saga, it’s a significant moment for a fledgling automaker. Given this is the third recall for Grenadier, the company is under pressure, especially with the recent seat supplier disruption causing production to stop for 3 months as well as the planned second product wave.
The recall fix is relatively simple, but the logistical hurdles—parts availability, service capacity, and scheduling conflicts—will determine how smoothly the process unfolds. Shops that prepare now can turn this recall into a business advantage, helping Grenadier owners maintain confidence in their high-priced, adventure-focused SUVs.
