Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is recalling 2,448 Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles in Canada over an electrical issue that could lead to a loss of power while driving.
The recall affects a range of models in the Land Rover lineup, though only vehicles equipped with a mild-hybrid system. Here’s the full list:
- - 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender
- - 2021-2024 Land Rover Discovery
- - 2020-2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport
- - 2020-2024 Range Rover
- - 2019-2024 Range Rover Sport
- - 2021-2024 Range Rover Velar
- - 2020-2024 Range Rover Evoque
As well, a small number – 14 units counts as a small number, let’s agree – of 2021-2024 Jaguar E-Pace and F-Pace SUVs are also being recalled for the same issue.
The problem
An issue with the battery system’s DC/DC converter could lead to a loss of power. As stated by Transport Canada, “On certain vehicles, the DC/DC converter could fail. As a result, the 12 V battery would not charge and a red "Stop Safely Electrical Fault Detected" warning message would be displayed. If this happens, and you continue to drive the vehicle, there could be a loss of power to the wheels and/or the vehicle's lights could turn off.”
A loss of power whilst out on the road in traffic poses an obvious safety hazard. As well, the lack of functioning exterior lights poses a danger all by itself and also makes the vehicle illegal to operate on the road.
The agency specifies that the new recall is an expansion of a previous one (ID # 2026-196). That recall, issued in April of this year, targeted over 14,000 vehicles, spanning the same list as above. The new recall adds later model-years for the Discovery Sport as well as the 2024 Velar. Transport Canada explains that vehicles repaired under the prior recall do not fall under this new campaign.
The solution
JLR will be notifying owners of affected vehicles by mail (though no timeline was given), who will be asked to bring their vehicle to their dealership’s service centre. There, the vehicle load balancing software will be updated.