The Jaguar I-Tempo is an agile and sporty electrical crossover. Used costs are dramatically falling, and these engaging EVs have gotten fairly reasonably priced within the second-hand market. Nevertheless, earlier than going out and shopping for one, potential homeowners may need to take a step again.
The Jaguar I-Tempo makes use of LG Power Resolution batteries, the identical producer that produced batteries for the Bolt, Bolt EUV, and Kona Electrical. There have been a number of remoted incidents during which these automobiles caught fireplace, sparking questions concerning the battery packs.
In November 2020, LG Power Resolution initially denied that its battery cells have been the supply of the fires, however agreed to company with the producers. Nevertheless, practically a yr later, LG Power 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. Geared up with the identical producer’s battery packs, the I-Tempo hit the information as early as 2021 resulting from battery fires. In the summertime of 2022, an proprietor’s 2019 I-Tempo caught fireplace whereas charging in his Florida residence.
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 Could 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 might give rise to a battery fireplace. Jaguar says it may possibly full an OTA software program replace for the repair, although it may possibly solely be executed at Jaguar facilities. Furthermore, the producer says it can substitute modules or your complete battery, if essential, 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 road and blocking folks from exiting their parking areas.” Upset with Jaguar’s dealings of the matter, she sued.
The swimsuit says the British automaker knew concerning the battery points nicely earlier than issuing the recall. Furthermore, many homeowners have reported different battery-related points with the crossover.
Since April of this yr, the automotive has constantly had issues! Just a few months in the past, it began turning off all of a sudden!! Sure, all of a sudden even whereas driving! This was very alarming. I took it to the vendor 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 automobile downhill on a small hill in Palm Springs when a number of error messages appeared in speedy succession on the knowledge show, together with ‘traction battery fault – protected to drive with warning’. This was instantly adopted by “pull over and cease the automotive” however earlier than I had the possibility to take action ALL the programs within the automotive ceased to function and all electrical programs 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 automotive. The automotive continued for about 1/2 a mile and went by means of two cease indicators. – California I-Tempo proprietor
However, present I-Tempo homeowners should solely cost their automobiles to round 75% earlier than receiving their updates. Solely time will inform who is really at fault for the I-Tempo’s quite a few potential points.