DETROIT– Jaguar is advising owners of around 3,000 electric SUVs to park their cars outdoors, away from buildings, due to the risk of battery fires.
The British carmaker is recalling 2019 model year I-Pace SUVs, but has not yet developed a permanent fix.
As a temporary fix, dealers will update the battery energy monitoring computer to limit battery charging to 80% of capacity. The company has issued three previous recalls for the same issue, and all SUVs require the new fix. The previous recalls updated the diagnostic software.
The car manufacturer says in documents posted thursday by US safety regulators that there have been three fires in the US after earlier software updates on the vehicles. No injuries have been reported.
“Owners who previously updated their vehicles with the enhanced diagnostic software may have the impression that their vehicles are protected against thermal runaway, which may not be the case with 2019 model year vehicles,” the documents said.
Documents show the I-Pace’s batteries were made in Poland by LG Energy Solution, whose products are being investigated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The agency opened the investigation in April 2022 after five automakers issued recalls over potential defects in electric and hybrid batteries that could cause fires or engine stalls.
General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Stellantis and Volkswagen have issued recalls since February 2020, mostly due to internal battery defects that could increase the risk of fire.
In November 2020, General Motors began a series of recalls affecting more than 140,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs from the 2017 through 2022 model years due to the “simultaneous presence of two rare manufacturing defects in the same battery cell.” The defect has caused at least 10 fires.
Messages were left Thursday seeking comment from Jaguar and LG Energy Solution.
JAGUAR/I-PACE/2019
Manufacturer Report Date: August 28, 2024
NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V-633
Components:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:DRIVE SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Possible number of units affected: 2,760
Problem description:
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain 2019 Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. The high-voltage battery may
to overheat.
Result:
A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of fire.
Remedy:
Owners are advised to park and charge their vehicles outside and away from buildings until recall repairs are completed and for 30 days.
days after the repair is completed. As an interim repair, dealers will update the battery energy control module software free of charge
complaint. The final resolution is currently in development. It is anticipated that notification letters will be sent to owners on October 18, 2024.
Owners can contact Jaguar Customer Service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar’s recall number for this recall is H514. These vehicles were
previously recalled for the same problem under one or more recall numbers 24V-085 (H471), 23V-709 (H459), or 23V-369 (H441) and
the new remedy will have to be implemented.