Jaguar Land Rover to Recall 170,000 SUVs for Hybrid System Failure

A major safety recall impacting more than 170,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles is raising serious concerns for California drivers—and potentially triggering protections under the state’s Lemon Law, according to James Johnson, founder of Johnson Attorneys Group.

Jaguar Land Rover has announced a recall of 170,169 SUVs due to a defect in the vehicles’ 48-volt hybrid systems that can lead to sudden and dangerous failures. At the center of the issue is a faulty DC-DC converter, a critical component responsible for maintaining the vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system. When the converter fails, it can stop the battery from charging—ultimately causing a complete loss of drive power.

Even more alarming, the defect may also disable exterior lighting while the vehicle is in operation. That combination—loss of propulsion and lighting—creates a significant crash hazard, particularly at highway speeds or in low-visibility conditions.

The recall spans a wide range of popular models, including:

• Jaguar E-Pace (2021–2022)
• Jaguar F-Pace (2021–2024)
• Land Rover Defender (2020–2024)
• Land Rover Discovery (2021–2024)
• Land Rover Discovery Sport (2020)
• Range Rover (2020–2024)
• Range Rover Evoque (2020–2023)
• Range Rover Sport (2019–2024)
• Range Rover Velar (2021–2024)

All affected vehicles are equipped with hybrid systems that rely on the defective converter.

According to federal filings, the issue stems from an internal fault in a microchip within the converter. Drivers may first see a warning message such as “Stop Safely, Electrical Fault Detected.” If the vehicle continues to be driven, it can abruptly lose power altogether—along with critical lighting systems.

Jaguar Land Rover has received nearly 6,000 reports in the U.S. tied to this defect since 2019, though no crashes or injuries have been officially linked so far.

However, Johnson cautions that the absence of reported injuries does not minimize the legal implications for consumers.

“In California, a defect that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a vehicle can qualify it as a lemon—even if the manufacturer issues a recall,” Johnson explains. “If your vehicle has experienced repeated issues or has been out of service for repairs, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement.”

As of now, Jaguar Land Rover has not finalized a repair solution. Dealers are expected to be notified beginning May 1, with owner notifications scheduled for June 12. A timeline for the actual fix remains unclear.

For California drivers dealing with repeated electrical failures, warning messages, or loss of power in these vehicles, the situation may go beyond a simple recall. Under the state’s Lemon Law, consumers could have the right to pursue compensation if the defect persists or is not repaired within a reasonable number of attempts.

Johnson advises affected vehicle owners to document all repair visits and symptoms—and to seek legal guidance if problems continue after dealership intervention.