A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against Jaguar Land Rover North America (JLRNA), alleging that certain models of Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles are equipped with dangerously defective battery packs. The lawsuit contends that these battery packs have the potential to overheat, catch fire, and result in both personal injury and property damage.
According to the 37-page lawsuit, the legal action was initiated after a product recall was issued by JLRNA in May 2023, bringing to light the alleged battery system flaw affecting all 2019 to 2024 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles.
The lawsuit alleges that JLRNA was already aware of the battery pack defect long before the recall was issued. It suggests that the automaker actively concealed this information from consumers, allowing them to continue promoting and selling the vehicles without adequately warning customers about the potential dangers. The lawsuit also claims there is currently no remedy available for this manufacturing defect. According to the May recall, battery modules or packs may be replaced free of charge if a defect is detected. (via ClassAction)
Another notable aspect of the recall was the directive to install a software update intended to enhance the warning system for potential overheating or fire. However, the lawsuit contends that this update falls short of preventing the hazards, merely providing better alerts. Additionally, the update restricts the vehicle’s charge capacity to 75 percent, impacting its overall usability and range.
A plaintiff in the case, a California resident who purchased a 2020 Jaguar I-Pace in 2019, experienced a high-voltage battery failure in February 2021, followed by another battery failure in April 2023. The latter incident left the plaintiff stranded on a street, obstructing traffic and causing significant inconvenience.
The lawsuit alleges that JLRNA had knowledge of the battery system defect well before the recall, having gathered insights from internal testing as well as numerous consumer complaints and repair requests. Despite this knowledge, the automaker failed to address the defect adequately and continued marketing the vehicles to unsuspecting consumers.
The legal action seeks to represent a group of individuals and entities in California who are current or former owners and/or lessees of 2019 to 2024 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. The lawsuit is Joyce v. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC et al.
