Land Rover and Jaguar Recall 170,000 SUVs Over Electrical Fault Risk: NHTSA Mandates Action

Land Rover and Jaguar Recall 170,000 Vehicles Over Electrical Fault Risk

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is recalling 170,169 vehicles due to a fault in the DCDC converter that can lead to a loss of power, exterior lighting, and even engine shutdown. The recall affects 35 models from model years 2019 to 2024, including popular SUVs such as the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Defender, Velar, Evoque, Discovery, Jaguar’s F-Pace, and E-Pace.

This recall specifically targets vehicles equipped with a mild hybrid drivetrain.

What Happens When the DCDC Converter Fails?

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a failing DCDC converter can disrupt the charging of the 12V system, similar to a failed alternator in a conventional combustion vehicle. The progression of the fault includes:

• A red warning message: “Stop Safely Electrical Fault Detected.”
• Driver aids shut off.
• Suspension faults appear.
• The vehicle may shift into neutral.
• The engine eventually stalls.
• Exterior lighting may go dark.

Regulators Push for Recall After 6,000 U.S. Complaints

JLR has logged nearly 6,000 field reports in the U.S. alone related to this issue. Initially, the automaker did not classify the problem as a safety risk due to the gradual nature of the symptoms. However, the NHTSA reviewed the situation and determined it posed a safety hazard, prompting the recall.

As of now, there have been no reported injuries, crashes, or fires linked to the defect. Despite this, owners of the affected vehicles may be frustrated to learn that no repair solution is currently available.

Which Models Are Affected by the Recall?

The recall covers the following models and model years:

• Jaguar: F-Pace (2019–2024), E-Pace (2019–2024)
• Land Rover: Range Rover (2019–2024), Range Rover Sport (2019–2024), Defender (2020–2024), Velar (2019–2024), Evoque (2019–2024), Discovery (2019–2024)

Only vehicles with a mild hybrid drivetrain are impacted by this recall.

No Fix Available Yet as JLR Works on a Solution

Owners of the affected vehicles are advised to monitor their vehicles for warning signs and follow any instructions from Jaguar Land Rover or the NHTSA. The automaker is under pressure to develop a remedy, but as of now, no fix has been announced.

This recall adds to a series of challenges for JLR, including repeated recalls of the Jaguar I-Pace over fire risks.