Jaguar introduced that it’s recalling all I-Tempo electrical autos within the US over a battery hearth threat. The recall comes a yr after we warned Jaguar concerning the problem.
Final summer season, we launched a report highlighting our suspicion that Jaguar may need a battery downside much like the Chevy Bolt EV in its I-Tempo.
Within the report, we described 4 separate battery fires that had comparable situations because the battery fires that led to the Chevy Bolt EV recall.
Contemplating the I-Tempo is a reasonably low-volume automotive, we famous that the 4 fires had been much more statistically vital than the dozen of Bolt EV fires. On high of that, Jaguar additionally used battery cells from LG Power, which had been recognized because the supply of the issue within the case of the Bolt EV.
On the time, we contacted Jaguar and requested them whether or not or not they’ve thought-about that their I-Tempo had the same downside, however the automaker didn’t reply our questions.
A yr later, Jaguar is now recalling all “2019-2024MY Jaguar I-PACE autos constructed on the Graz Automobile Meeting Plant from June 5, 2018.”
The automaker described the problem within the NHTSA recall discover:
Automobiles have skilled thermal overload which can present as smoke or hearth, which will happen beneath the car the place excessive voltage traction battery is positioned. Investigations are persevering with.
Within the discover, Jaguar additionally recognized LG Power as a provider concerned within the recall.
To additional verify our suspicion that Jaguar has the same downside because the Bolt EV, the automaker is taking the same software-based “treatment” strategy of limiting battery state-of-charge.
Jaguar wrote within the “treatment” part of the recall discover:
Recalled autos will obtain an replace to the Battery Power Management Module (BECM) software program that may monitor the battery pack meeting operational standing that signifies the place the battery accommodates situations which can result in thermal overload situation. This software program supplies an enhanced stage of driver warnings in relation to battery situation and the place the software program determines a threat exists, the Excessive Voltage battery charging capability is restricted to 75%. The warning message and related Proprietor Information instruction directs the motive force to take their car to a Jaguar retailer for analysis and, as required, restore. The retailer will examine and, if crucial, change the affected battery module/pack. There will probably be no cost to the homeowners for this restore. Clients who’ve paid for a restore of this defect will probably be reimbursed by the Jaguar Land Rover reimbursement plan, topic to the standard phrases and situations.
With the Bolt EV, it finally led to a full battery recall throughout the board.
Electrek’s Take
It’s disappointing that Jaguar wasn’t on high of this problem when the Chevy Bolt EV recall occurred or once we warned them of the problem final yr – it may need prevented a number of fires.
Additionally, the information is popping out simply has Jaguar is saying a rebrand. Coincidence?