170K Land Rover & Jaguar Recalled: Power Loss Risk & CA Rights

Over 170,000 Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles are being recalled due to a critical defect that can cause complete loss of drive power while driving, creating a significant crash risk for California drivers. NHTSA recall campaign 26V248000 affects multiple model years of popular luxury SUVs and reveals serious safety concerns that may qualify affected vehicles for protection under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.

What Vehicles Are Affected by This Recall?

Jaguar Land Rover North America has issued recall 26V248000 for 170,169 mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) manufactured between 2019 and 2024. The affected models include:

Land Rover Models:

2019-2024 Range Rover Sport
2020-2024 Range Rover
2020-2023 Range Rover Evoque
2021-2024 Range Rover Velar
2021-2024 Discovery
2020-2024 Defender
2020 Discovery Sport

Jaguar Models:

2021-2024 F-Pace
2021-2022 E-Pace

This recall represents one of the largest safety-related recalls for these luxury brands, affecting vehicles equipped with mild-hybrid electric powertrains across multiple model years.

The Critical DC-DC Converter Defect

The recalled vehicles contain a defective DC-DC converter that can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. According to NHTSA documentation, this component failure creates a cascade of serious problems:

Complete loss of 12-volt system charging: The DC-DC converter maintains the vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system, which powers critical safety and operational components
Total loss of drive power: When the converter fails, the vehicle can lose all propulsion while driving
Exterior lighting failure: Safety-critical lights including headlights, taillights, and turn signals may stop working

The combination of losing both drive power and exterior lighting creates an extremely dangerous situation, particularly during nighttime driving or in adverse weather conditions.

Safety Consequences and Crash Risk

NHTSA has determined that “a loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.” When a vehicle suddenly loses power while driving, several dangerous scenarios can occur:

Highway incidents: Losing power on freeways or busy roads can leave drivers stranded in traffic
Intersection accidents: Power loss during turns or while crossing intersections increases collision risk
Rear-end crashes: Other drivers may not expect a vehicle to suddenly lose power and decelerate
Loss of control: Modern vehicles rely on powered steering and braking assistance that may be compromised

The fact that exterior lighting also fails compounds these risks by making the disabled vehicle less visible to other drivers, especially in low-light conditions.

Manufacturer’s Response and Remedy Status

Land Rover has acknowledged the safety risk but the remedy for this recall is still under development. The manufacturer’s timeline includes:

June 12, 2026: Interim notification letters warning owners of the safety risk
Future date TBD: Additional letters once a permanent remedy is available
Customer service: Owners can contact Land Rover at 800-637-6837
Recall numbers: D126 and H575 for Land Rover tracking

The fact that no remedy is currently available means affected vehicle owners must continue driving potentially dangerous vehicles while waiting for a fix to be developed and implemented.

California Lemon Law Rights for Affected Owners

This widespread recall raises significant concerns under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, particularly for vehicles experiencing repeated problems or those where the defect cannot be adequately repaired.

Song-Beverly Act Protection

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act provides robust protection for California consumers who purchase defective vehicles. Under this law:

Warranty coverage: All new vehicles sold in California come with implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
Reasonable repair standard: Manufacturers must be given a reasonable opportunity to repair defects, typically 2-4 attempts for safety-related issues
Buyback obligation: If repairs fail, manufacturers must repurchase the vehicle or provide a replacement
Attorney fees: Successful consumers can recover attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer
Civil penalties: Manufacturers face up to twice the vehicle’s purchase price for willful violations

When This Recall Triggers Lemon Law Protection

The DC-DC converter defect may qualify vehicles for lemon law protection in several scenarios:

Multiple repair attempts: If your Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, or Jaguar F-Pace has been repaired multiple times for this or related electrical issues
Extended out-of-service time: Vehicles spending more than 30 days total in the shop for warranty repairs may qualify
Safety-related presumption: Since this defect creates a crash risk, it may trigger California’s safety-related lemon law presumption after just two repair attempts
Substantial impairment: Complete loss of drive power substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, and safety

What California Owners Should Do Now

If you own one of the affected Land Rover or Jaguar vehicles, take these important steps:

Immediate Actions

Check your VIN: Verify if your vehicle is included in recall 26V248000 on NHTSA.gov starting June 3, 2026
Document problems: Keep detailed records of any electrical issues, power loss incidents, or warning lights
Contact the manufacturer: Call Land Rover at 800-637-6837 to report concerns and request priority repair scheduling
Avoid risky driving: Consider limiting highway driving or nighttime use until repairs are completed

Legal Protection Steps

Preserve all documentation: Save repair orders, invoices, rental car receipts, and correspondence with the dealer
Report safety incidents: Document any instances where you experienced power loss or electrical failures
Know your rights: Understand that you may be entitled to a full refund or replacement vehicle if repairs fail
Consult legal counsel: Consider speaking with a California lemon law attorney if you’ve experienced multiple problems

The Broader Pattern of Luxury Vehicle Defects

This recall highlights ongoing quality concerns with modern luxury vehicles, particularly those incorporating complex hybrid and electric systems. The DC-DC converter is a critical component that bridges the high-voltage hybrid system with the traditional 12-volt electrical system. When these components fail, they can create cascading problems throughout the vehicle.

For California consumers who paid premium prices for these luxury vehicles, experiencing complete power loss represents a fundamental breach of reasonable expectations. The Song-Beverly Act recognizes that consumers should not have to accept dangerous defects, regardless of the vehicle’s price point or brand prestige.

Song-Beverly Act Advantages Over Federal Remedies

While this NHTSA recall provides free repairs, California’s Song-Beverly Act offers additional protections that may be more valuable:

Full refund potential: Unlike recalls that only provide repairs, the Song-Beverly Act can result in complete vehicle buybacks
Incidental costs: Recovery of expenses like rental cars, towing, and lost time
Attorney fees: Manufacturers must pay successful consumers’ legal costs
Civil penalties: Additional financial penalties against manufacturers for willful violations
Replacement options: Choice between refund or comparable replacement vehicle

These protections are particularly important when dealing with complex defects that may not be fully resolved through recall repairs.

Why Professional Legal Guidance Matters

Navigating both recall procedures and lemon law claims simultaneously requires experienced legal counsel. California lemon law attorneys can:

Evaluate whether your vehicle qualifies for Song-Beverly protection
Coordinate recall compliance with lemon law documentation requirements
Negotiate directly with manufacturer legal departments
Pursue maximum compensation including civil penalties
Handle complex cases involving multiple defects or repair attempts

Take Action to Protect Your Rights

If you own a 2019-2024 Land Rover or Jaguar affected by this recall, don’t wait to understand your legal options. The combination of a safety-critical defect affecting over 170,000 vehicles and California’s strong consumer protection laws creates a powerful foundation for potential lemon law claims.

Contact our experienced California lemon law attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation. We can help you navigate both the recall process and your rights under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, ensuring you receive the full protection and compensation you deserve.

Time limits apply to lemon law claims, so it’s important to act promptly to preserve your rights and document your case properly. Don’t let manufacturer delays or inadequate recall remedies leave you stuck with a dangerous vehicle – California law provides strong protection for consumers who demand accountability from automotive manufacturers.