Jaguar Agrees To Repurchase All 2019 I-Pace EVs In America
Jaguar is addressing a longstanding fire risk issue with its I-Pace EV by agreeing to repurchase 2,760 vehicles sold in the United States during the 2019 model year.
The buyback comes after earlier attempts to resolve the problem through software updates failed to mitigate the risk of battery overheating fully. Despite prior recalls, data indicates that some vehicles continued to experience thermal issues, with three reported cases of fires even after receiving the software fixes.
In August, Jaguar issued guidance advising owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from buildings as a precaution. At the time, the automaker also implemented a temporary software update limiting battery charging to 80% capacity. A permanent solution has now evolved into Jaguar buying back affected vehicles, signaling the severity of the issue.
While the buyback is costly, it’s somewhat mitigated by the I-Pace's significant depreciation since its release—some variants have only retained a quarter of their value since 2019, with many owners likely to welcome the resolution.
The recall and buyback come at a tumultuous time for Jaguar, coinciding with the company’s rebranding efforts aimed at repositioning itself as a luxury EV maker to rival brands like Porsche and Bentley. For those keeping score at home, Jaguar's first official move as a luxury EV maker is to repurchase nearly 3,000 electric vehicles the company can't stop from catching on fire.
I'm not sure what's worse: Jaguar being laughed at for a trite grad-school level branding exercise foisted on the 90-year-old brand or the embarrassment of being forced to repurchase the entire 2019 model year of I-Pace SUVs. Jaguar's new model is expected to debut on December 2.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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2020 MY are next.... 🤣
My 2019 I-Pace burnt in my driveway on July4, 2024. The car cost over $91,000 in 2019, tax, tags and options. You mentioned that Jaguar is buying the cars back, but, at the depreciated price. But, one has to ask, why did the I-Pace depreciate so much? Could it be because of all the recalls for the battery, or because the car's charging was limited to 70% and still caught fire? I for one, will be seeking a full refund for a defective product that was dangerous.