by New Jaguar I-Pace Recall Due to Battery Issues
Jaguar has announced a recall of 2,278 I-Pace electric vehicles in the United States. The reason is a serious technical defect in the battery, which can lead to thermal overload and short circuits. Owners of affected vehicles are advised to limit battery charging and park outdoors.
When the Jaguar I-Pace debuted in 2018, it received positive reviews and was even named World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year in 2019. However, over time, the model’s reputation began to deteriorate due to numerous problems related to battery packs, repeated recalls, and even a vehicle buyback program in the USA.
The new challenge concerns a potential defect related to a folded anode tab, which can cause a short circuit. Battery manufacturer LG has acknowledged the possibility of additional issues, although the investigation is still ongoing.
Recall Details and Safety Measures
This latest recall involves 1,824 vehicles from the 2020 model year, manufactured from April 8, 2019, to January 8, 2020, and 454 vehicles from the 2021 model year, assembled from March 9, 2020, to June 10, 2021. According to Jaguar, these vehicles were not previously recalled and have not had their battery packs replaced.
The manufacturer is so concerned about the situation that it recommends owners take immediate precautionary measures. Vehicles should be parked outdoors, away from buildings. It is also recommended not to charge the battery beyond 90% of its capacity and to do so exclusively outside.
Search for a Permanent Solution
The problem appears to be quite persistent. The company reported that several 2019 I-Pace models, which were previously recalled due to fire risk, were subject to another recall in 2024. These cases prompted a deeper analysis of the battery system, which led to the current actions.
For now, updated software will be released for the affected vehicles, limiting the maximum charge level to 90%. This is a temporary solution while engineers work on a permanent fix for the defect. Dealers will be informed about the recall starting February 19, and owners should expect an official notification from Jaguar no later than April 3.
This situation once again highlights the complex challenges faced by manufacturers in the large-scale transition to electric vehicles, particularly regarding the reliability of key components such as battery packs. For Jaguar, which aims to establish itself in the electric vehicle market, repeated recalls of the once award-winning model are a serious blow to consumer trust. The success of the brand’s future electric models will largely depend on the company’s ability to finally resolve these technical issues and prevent their recurrence.
