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Under California’s lemon law, when an automaker sells a consumer a lemon, it’s required to buy the vehicle back. That’s the law in California. However, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is instead offering its customers much less – the “market value” – on thousands of 2019 Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs in the U.S. due to a battery fire risk that previous recalls have failed to resolve, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This Recall affects 2,794 vehicles from the 2019 model year, the first year the I-PACE EV was introduced. These vehicles were previously subject to multiple recalls related to the potential for battery pack overheating, but diagnostic software updates installed in earlier efforts have not fully addressed the issue. Instead of following the law and offering California consumers their money back, Jaguar is offering much, much less.
That’s where the lemon law experts at California Consumer Attorneys, P.C. can help!
What Owners Should Know Now
Jaguar began mailing notification letters in October and November 2024, with additional notices expected to go out after February 7, 2025. Owners with questions are encouraged to contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827 and reference recall numbers H514 or H529.
It’s also important to note that a manufacturer-initiated reimbursement may not automatically mean a full refund or fair market value. Under California Lemon Law, you may be entitled to more than what’s being offered, including reimbursement for all of your payments (less good miles), incidental expenses, taxes, and registration fees.
History Behind The Recall
Jaguar initially issued software-based solutions intended to monitor and manage battery temperatures. However, subsequent testing and reports revealed that these fixes were not sufficient. Some battery cells in affected vehicles still showed a high propensity to overheat and, in rare cases, cause fires.
Because of the ongoing safety concern, JLR has now decided to buy back the affected vehicles, a move not typically seen unless other remedies fail. However, it’s important to note that Jaguar’s buyback offer may not reflect the full compensation owners are entitled to under California’s Lemon Law.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
The recall covers:
- 2019 Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs
- Vehicles previously included in recalls H441, H442, and H456
- An additional 34 vehicles were recently added to the scope under recall number H529
Until there is a remedy, Jaguar recommends that owners park and charge their vehicles outdoors and away from structures. Jaguar is also asking dealers to install updated software that limits battery capacity to 80%, which is available free of charge.
How Jaguar Owners Can Take Back Control
While Jaguar has announced a band-aid recall for affected vehicles, many owners may find the offer falls short of what they’re truly owed. These kinds of unresolved vehicle issues underline the importance of protecting your consumer rights under state and federal law.
If you’re dealing with a problematic vehicle and feel pressured into an unfair deal, don’t go it alone. With extensive experience and a history of successful lemon law cases, The Lemon Firm is ready to help. Call 833 Lemon Firm and speak with a case analyst today to find out if the offer you received is truly fair, or if you’re entitled to more.