JLR has offered to buy back hundreds of Jaguar I-Pace cars fitted with batteries that could overheat and potentially catch fire.
As reported by Move Electric’s sister title Autocar, up to 264 I-Paces registered in the UK are subject to recall H484, which affects 2019-model year cars fitted with traction batteries manufactured by LG Energy Solution between March and May 2018.
JLR said the move had been made due to an “elevated safety risk”, referring to concerns about the battery’s tendency to overheat.
Owners are “strongly advised to park and charge their vehicles outdoors, away from structures, and limit the charge to a maximum of 75% to minimise risks”.
As such, “a full traction battery replacement may be required”. The pack is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
JLR has offered affected owners either a battery replacement or – for the first time in the firm's history – to buy the car back.
A JLR spokesperson said that in the event of an owner deciding not to have the battery replaced, the company would “reacquire” their vehicle and have it scrapped, offering them either its current market value or settling the outstanding finance on it.
This option was necessary, said the spokesperson, because the I-Pace is no longer made, so a new like-for-like replacement is not possible.
They added that the company’s offer to buy back vehicles “is the only recall where the repurchase option exists for clients”.
Some affected owners have taken to forums to share their experiences. One claimed his Jaguar dealer considered his car a fire risk and wouldn’t allow it in the workshop.
JLR apparently offered to buy back his car and offered him a younger vehicle with a lower mileage and a higher spec, which he accepted.
