Luxury SUV Owners Left in the Dark: Class Action Targets Land Rover Hybrid Defect

Dropping six figures on a premium SUV usually promises rugged capability and plush interiors, not a sudden blackout on a dark highway. Yet a growing number of Jaguar Land Rover owners say that’s exactly what they’re facing, a hidden electrical glitch that can turn their high-end hybrids into silent, unlit hazards.

A new class action lawsuit filed against Jaguar Land Rover North America alleges the company knowingly sold thousands of mild-hybrid vehicles with a faulty DC/DC converter, leaving drivers vulnerable to total power loss.

The problem centers on the 48-volt mild-hybrid system JLR introduced across most of its lineup starting in 2019. These vehicles use a DC/DC converter to step down power from the hybrid battery to run standard 12-volt components like headlights and dashboard electronics. According to the lawsuit, a defect in the converter’s microchip can cause it to fail, starving the 12-volt battery of charge.

Once that battery dies, the SUV loses propulsion, and all exterior lights go dark. Federal safety regulators note the risk in recall documents filed this April, covering more than 170,000 vehicles.

The suit claims JLR received nearly 6,000 complaints and warranty claims since July 2019, yet only issued a recall under pressure, and without a working fix. The automaker admits a remedy is still “under development,” leaving owners to drive vehicles that could suddenly lose power and visibility at highway speeds.

Affected models include the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar F-Pace and E-Pace from model years 2019 through 2024. The plaintiffs seek compensation for diminished vehicle value, accusing JLR of hiding the defect and failing to honor its warranty.