Jaguar tells owners of older I-Pace electric SUVs in the U.S. to park them outdoors due to battery fire risk

This is the Jaguar logo on a Jaguar automobile on display at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show in Pittsburgh, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

DETROIT — Jaguar is telling owners of about 3,000 electric SUVs to park them outdoors and away from structures due to the risk of battery fires.

The British automaker is recalling I-Pace SUVs from the 2019 model year, but has not yet developed a final remedy.

As an interim fix, dealers will update the battery energy control computer to limit battery charging to 80 per cent of capacity. The company has issued three previous recalls for the same problem, and all of the SUVs will need the new remedy. The previous recalls updated diagnostic software.

The automaker says in documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators that there have been three fires in the U.S. after previous software updates on the vehicles. No injuries were reported.

“Owners who have previously had their vehicle updated with the improved diagnostic software are under the impression that their vehicle is protected from thermal overload which, for 2019 MY (model year) vehicles, may not be the case,” the documents say.

Documents say that the I-Pace batteries were made in Poland by LG Energy Solution, whose products are under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The agency opened the probe in April of 2022 after five automakers issued recalls due to possible EV and hybrid battery defects that could cause fires or stalling.

General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Stellantis and Volkswagen have issued recalls since February of 2020, most due to internal battery failures that can increase the risk of fires.

In November of 2020, General Motors began a string of recalls that involved 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 caused at least 10 fires.

Messages were left Thursday seeking comment from Jaguar and LG Energy Solution.

JAGUAR/I-PACE/2019

Mfr’s Report Date: August 28, 2024

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V-633

Components:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

Potential 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 overheat.

Consequence:

A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy:

Owners are advised to park and charge their vehicle outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete and for 30 days after the repair has been completed. As an interim repair, dealers will update the battery energy control module software, free of charge. The final remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 18, 2024.

Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar’s number for this recall is H514. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under one or more recall numbers 24V-085 (H471), 23V-709 (H459), or 23V-369 (H441) and will need to have the new remedy performed.