As the market for used electric vehicles expands, the Jaguar I-Pace has caught the attention of potential buyers looking for an affordable and sporty electric crossover. However, recent developments surrounding battery-related concerns have prompted prospective owners to exercise caution before making a purchase.
The Jaguar I-Pace, known for its agility and sporty performance, employs batteries manufactured by LG Energy Solution ā the same company responsible for producing batteries for other electric vehicles such as the Bolt, Bolt EUV, and Kona Electric. Several incidents of vehicle fires involving these models have raised inquiries regarding the battery packs’ safety.
In November 2020, LG Energy Solution initially refuted claims that their battery cells were linked to the fires but later collaborated with manufacturers to investigate the matter. Almost a year later, the company reached settlements, agreeing to pay General Motors $1.9 billion and Hyundai approximately $623 million as part of a recall.
The root cause of these potential battery fires was identified as folded anode tabs, a concern attributed to the Korean battery supplier. The I-Pace, equipped with battery packs from the same manufacturer, came under scrutiny as early as 2021 due to battery-related fire incidents. In a notable case during the summer of 2022, a 2019 I-Pace caught fire while charging in a Florida residence.
Gonzalo Salazar, an I-Pace owner, expressed dissatisfaction with Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) response, stating that he received limited assistance in managing the aftermath of the fire and had to deal with debris cleanup himself.
In May 2023, Jaguar issued a recall affecting 6,367 I-Paces across all model years (2019 to 2024) due to concerns about battery packs overheating, potentially leading to battery fires. Jaguar has proposed an over-the-air software update to address the issue, but the update can only be performed at Jaguar service centers. The company also assured owners that it would replace modules or the entire battery without any cost if deemed necessary.
However, a recent lawsuit has added a new layer of complexity to the situation. A Californian woman, who had already received a replacement battery in 2021, reported that her I-Pace stalled while driving in April 2023. The incident left her stranded and resulted in a lawsuit against Jaguar, alleging that the automaker had knowledge of the battery issues prior to the official recall. Several I-Pace owners have reported various battery-related problems with the crossover.
One I-Pace owner from Kentucky lamented, “Since April of this year, the car has consistently had problems! A few months ago, it started turning off suddenly!! Yes, suddenly even while driving! This was very alarming. I took it to the dealer in Cincinnati where it stayed for almost a month to be fixed!”
Another owner, whose report was featured in the lawsuit, expressed frustration with a similar experience. “Was driving downhill on a small hill in Palm Springs when multiple error messages appeared in rapid succession on the information display, including ‘traction battery fault – safe to drive with caution’. This was immediately followed by ‘pull over and stop the car’, but before I had the chance to do so, ALL the systems in the car ceased to operate and all electrical systems shut down. The brakes would not work, the steering would not work. I was still traveling downhill and unable to stop the car. The car continued for approximately 1/2 a mile and went through two stop signs.”
In light of these developments, current I-Pace owners have been advised to limit charging their vehicles to around 75% capacity until they receive the necessary software updates. As investigations continue, the true origins of the potential issues facing the I-Pace remain to be determined.
