Land Rover SUVs at Risk of Shutdowns

Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling more than 170,000 vehicles across nine model lines that the company says could shut down unexpectedly. 

A failing electrical component can progressively shut down mild-hybrid vehicles’ systems, the automaker recently told U.S. safety regulators. A problem with the cars’ DC-DC converters, components that manage 12-volt electrical charging, could eventually cut power and exterior lighting, Jaguar Land Rover said in a recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“A concern has been identified on Jaguar and Land Rover Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs) where the DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip,” the company said. “A failure of the DCDC converter will result in a loss of 12V system charging, and a ‘Stop Safely Electrical Fault Detected’ red warning.”

Drivers are advised to stop in these situations before the problem gets worse. “Continuation of the journey will result in the vehicle losing motive power and coasting to a stop after a period of time, and eventually losing exterior lighting,” JLR said in the recall notice. “A loss of motive power, or of vehicle lighting, will increase the risk of a crash.”

The recall covers 2019 to 2024 MHEVs across the following models:

• Range Rover 
• Range Rover Sport 
• Defender 
• Discovery 
• Discovery Sport
• Range Rover Velar 
• Range Rover Evoque 
• Jaguar F-PACE 
• Jaguar E-PACE 

Jaguar Land Rover said it is aware of nearly 6,000 claims and field reports related to the defect. Unfortunately, the company has not yet developed a fix. “JLR’s engineering task force is working to develop a robust remedy for this concern, and notifications will be updated once this activity is concluded,” it said.

Know Your California Lemon Law Rights

Jaguar Land Rover and other major car manufacturers call back millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of defects that pose serious safety risks.

The company recalled fewer than 200 sport utility vehicles earlier this year, for example. JLR said the SUVs’ sunroof trim could detach and fall off, creating a road hazard. Last year, the company recalled about 125,000 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport SUVs over faulty suspensions.

The good news is that Californians have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. Many do not have to wait for recalls to get the company to fix malfunctioning and defective vehicles.

The lemon law generally requires carmakers to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. It also requires companies to repurchase covered vehicles they cannot repair. That includes compensating the owner for the car’s purchase price, as well as financing fees, rental car costs, and other related expenses.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.