Bethenny Frankel Had A Scary Situation With Her Land Rover On Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving for Bethenny Frankel was not just about the usual feast, family gathering, and stuffed turkey recipe sharing this year. The festivity took an unexpected turn for the reality TV star and came with a side of adrenaline as she described a harrowing situation with her Land Rover.

In a candid and no-holds-barred series of Instagram Stories, the entrepreneur pulled back the curtain on her recent frustrating experiences with the brand's customer service. Documenting a nerve-wracking encounter, Frankel initiated a game she called "What brands don't respond on social media." Taking the spotlight were two notable names – Pottery Barn and Land Rover. 

Zooming in on the Land Rover matter, she delved into a more serious issue. It was not just the "Chelsea Lately" guest; it was a shared concern among Frankel, her friend Paul, her doctor, and another individual. The problem centered around a defect in Land Rover cars, particularly when transitioning between drive and reverse. 

The mother-of-one painted a vivid picture of the potential danger, describing how the gear shift button would stick, causing delays in shifting and leaving drivers vulnerable, especially on busy roads. In her words:

"When you go from drive to reverse – there's a little button to move the thing – and it sticks so it doesn't immediately go from drive to reverse or reverse to drive, which can be scary when you're on a big road. You pull out of the driveway into a main road, and you can't get back into drive, and you're sitting there, and somebody could smash you in the back. It's really a situation."

She highlighted the fear and apprehension shared by herself, Paul, and especially her doctor, who was reluctant to let others drive his car due to safety concerns. Frankel then underscored the urgency of reaching out to the famous brand, suspecting that other Land Rover owners might be facing similar issues.

The 53-year-old's rant brought attention to issues of customer service responsiveness. Frankel, who boasts over three million followers on Instagram, expressed her disappointment at receiving no response despite reaching out multiple times. 

Stressing the significance of customer service in 2023, she pointed out the sad reality of others without a huge social media following faced with brands. The "Wish Me Luck" actress emphasized the potential impact on individuals facing safety concerns or purchase issues.  

While fortunate that the issue was not fatal, her concerns about the brand gained weight, especially considering the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding Land Rover turbo failures preceding her incident.

According to Car Complaints, in the legal arena, a federal judge ruled that certain claims in a Land Rover turbo failure lawsuit could proceed. The class action alleged that Jaguar Land Rover was aware of potential turbocharger failures in specific Land Rover SUV models but failed to warn consumers.

Per the plaintiffs, the Land Rover reportedly opted for a turbocharger assembly with inferior materials, leading to failures and loss of power in the affected vehicles. But, despite previous dismissals, the judge allowed certain claims to move forward, signaling an ongoing legal battle.

Vehicles covered under the lawsuit were reportedly the SUVs equipped with 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engines, like the 2012-2017 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2015-2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport, and 2013-2015 Land Rover LR2.

Now, shifting gears away from Frankel's Thanksgiving saga, fans will recall that although her last holiday was not as eventful, her "Out of This World Skinny Stuffing" recipe made up for it. 

Known for her Skinnygirl brand, "The Neighbours" actress offered a low-calorie twist to the classic Thanksgiving side dish, promising all the traditional flavors with a fraction of the calories and fat.

Frankel's journey into the culinary world started with a low-calorie take on the margarita in pre-mixed form, propelling her to fame. Since then, she has expanded her product offerings to include her own take on salad dressing, coffee, and popcorn. 

This stuffing recipe is a departure from the high-carb white bread version, opting instead for 9-grain bread. Packed with fresh herbs, mushrooms, veggies, and flavorful turkey sausage, this dish only takes 30 minutes to prepare and cook.