Losing almost all at once engine power and headlights on a modern SUV is the scenario American authorities fear today for certain recent Jaguar and Land Rover models. In the United States, the automaker has triggered a broad Jaguar Land Rover recall targeting the electrical system of its 48‑V mild‑hybrid SUVs, after thousands of reports linked to a faulty voltage converter.
Overall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 170,169 vehicles affected by this major recall, identified under number 26V248000. In the documents submitted to authorities, it is indicated that “the remedy for this recall is currently under development”, which means that no final technical solution has yet been validated for these nearly 170,000 SUVs. And a second, more targeted recall is layering on top of the same component, which does not make life easier for the owners concerned.
A DC‑DC Converter That Cuts the 12‑V Battery, the Engine… and Then the Headlights
At the heart of the problem lies the DC‑DC converter that links the 48‑V mild-hybrid battery to the vehicle’s standard 12‑V electrical system. On the affected SUVs, an internal fault in the microcontroller responsible for managing this converter can trigger the 12‑V battery recharge to stop. Once this battery is depleted while driving, the 12‑V powered systems fail one after another, up to a loss of traction.
Technical documents then describe a possible extinguishing of the exterior lighting, once the reserve 12 V is completely exhausted. Motor1 sums up the fault chain well by explaining that one can first lose engine power, then the lights, two functions obviously crucial for continuing to move safely. On some markets, drivers see a dashboard message such as “Stop safely, electrical fault detected”, before the systems begin to fail.
170,169 SUVs Recalled, 23,677 More Affected… but a Fix Is Still Unclear
The main recall 26V248000 covers 170,169 Jaguar and Land Rover SUVs equipped with the 48‑V mild-hybrid system, built between 2019 and 2024. It covers the majority of the brands’ newer SUVs, including the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, Defender, Discovery and Discovery Sport, as well as the Jaguar F‑Pace and E‑Pace. Authorities record 5,952 complaints and field reports related to this converter fault, with no accidents, injuries or fires reported to date, but with a clear risk of power loss while driving.
For this first wave of nearly 170,000 vehicles, the official document submitted to the NHTSA states that “the remedy for this recall is currently under development”. Interim information letters were sent to owners in mid-June 2026 to warn them of the risk and invite them to stay in touch with the dealer network. In practice, that means they know their SUV can, in some cases, stall and lose its headlights, but they still must wait before a concrete solution can be installed at a dealership.
