Rolls-Royce has issued a recall relating to the glass in the instrument cluster of the Ghosts that could shatter in an accident, posing a risk of injury to the driver. A total of 1,305 units produced for the 2021 through 2023 model years have been hit with the safety recall. The single-layer tempered glass used over the instrument cluster in the Ghost is prone to break into small, sharp pieces in the event of a crash. Reportedly, Rolls-Royce first learned about this issue on May 26, 2020, following a high-speed crash test conducted internally. An engineering review was launched after the single layer of tempered glass was found broken in the side impact test. However, Rolls-Royce found that it was legal and posed a very low risk of injury for vehicle occupants. As a result, the British luxury automaker chose not to change the part that was supplied by Schroeder Spezialglas of Germany.
Later, in April 2022, Rolls-Royce decided to change and update a few things on the Ghost, which included replacing the single-layer tempered glass over the instrument cluster with double-layer laminated glass. This change was implemented into vehicle production in December 2022. The single-layer tempered glass on all the affected vehicles will be addressed by dealers nationwide by adding a protective coating that will prevent it from shattering, which is slightly surprising. For a luxury sedan that has a starting price of $350,000, Rolls-Royce should have replaced the part instead of adding a coating.
The second-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost debuted in 2020. Unlike the first generation, the current model shares the same platform as the eighth-generation Phantom and the Cullinan SUV. It also comes with all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, a so-called “Planar” suspension, and a new illuminated grille. Under the hood is the BMW-developed N74 twin-turbo V12. The 6.75-liter unit is capable of producing 563 horsepower and 627 pound-feet in the standard model and 591 hp and 664 pound-feet in the Black Badge variant.
Pictured is the Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge.