The Jaguar I-Tempo is an agile and sporty electrical crossover. Used costs are dramatically falling, and these enticing EVs have gotten fairly inexpensive within the second-hand market. Nonetheless, earlier than going out and shopping for one, potential house owners may need to take a step again.
The Jaguar I-Tempo makes use of LG Vitality Resolution batteries, the identical producer that produced batteries for the Bolt, Bolt EUV, and Kona Electrical. There have been a number of remoted incidents wherein these automobiles caught fireplace, sparking questions concerning the battery packs.
In November 2020, LG Vitality Resolution initially denied that its battery cells have been the supply of the fires, however agreed to company with the producers. Nonetheless, practically a yr later, LG Vitality Resolution agreed to pay GM $1.9 billion and Hyundai round $623 million as a part of a recall.
The origin of those potential battery fires was a folded anode tab, courtesy of the Korean battery provider. Outfitted with the identical producer’s battery packs, the I-Tempo hit the information as early as 2021 on account of battery fires. In the summertime of 2022, an proprietor’s 2019 I-Tempo caught fireplace whereas charging in his Florida house.
Proprietor Gonzalo Salazar mentioned JLR hadn’t helped him very a lot and left him with the duty of cleansing up all of the particles left on the highway.
In Might 2023, Jaguar issued a recall for six,367 I-Paces, affecting automobiles of all mannequin years (2019 to 2024). The recall surrounded the battery packs overheating, which may give rise to a battery fireplace. Jaguar says it may well full an OTA software program replace for the repair, although it may well solely be achieved at Jaguar facilities. Furthermore, the producer says it can exchange modules or all the battery, if vital, freed from cost.
However a brand new lawsuit thickens the plot. A lady in California reported that her I-Tempo, already on its second battery (put in in 2021), stalled whereas driving in April 2023. She was “stranded in the midst of a avenue and blocking individuals from exiting their parking areas.” Upset with Jaguar’s dealings of the matter, she sued.
The go well with says the British automaker knew concerning the battery points effectively earlier than issuing the recall. Furthermore, many homeowners have reported different battery-related points with the crossover.
Since April of this yr, the automobile has constantly had issues! A number of months in the past, it began turning off all of the sudden!! Sure, all of the sudden even whereas driving! This was very alarming. I took it to the supplier in Cincinnati the place it stayed for nearly a month to be fastened! – Kentucky I-Tempo proprietor
One other proprietor, whose NHTSA report was featured within the lawsuit, expressed outrage over an identical expertise.
Was driving car downhill on a small hill in Palm Springs when a number of error messages appeared in speedy succession on the data show, together with ‘traction battery fault – protected to drive with warning’. This was instantly adopted by “pull over and cease the automobile” however earlier than I had the prospect to take action ALL the techniques within the automobile ceased to function and all electrical techniques shut down. The breaks wouldn’t work, the steering wouldn’t work. I used to be nonetheless touring down hill and unable to cease the automobile. The automobile continued for roughly 1/2 a mile and went by means of two cease indicators. – California I-Tempo proprietor
Nonetheless, present I-Tempo house owners should solely cost their automobiles to round 75% earlier than receiving their updates. Solely time will inform who is actually at fault for the I-Tempo’s quite a few potential points.