Land Rover Recalled Defender Plug-in Hybrids Over Fire Risk
Owners of certain plug-in hybrid models in China, the UK, and Europe should check for battery recall notices.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Jaguar Land Rover has issued recalls for Land Rover Defender plug-in hybrid vehicles due to a risk of the high-voltage battery thermally overloading and potentially causing a fire. The action follows safety notifications across China, the United Kingdom, and Europe for specific production runs.
Why it matters
Battery thermal overload presents a significant fire hazard that impacts both vehicle safety and ownership liability. These recalls have been initiated to prevent potential combustion incidents by replacing the high-voltage battery packs in affected units.
Recall campaign S2026M0120V covers three 2022 Defender plug-in hybrids in China, while UK recall R/2025/553 involves 58 units. Affected vehicles include various plug-in hybrid models produced between July 2020 and May 2025.
The players
Jaguar Land Rover
A British luxury vehicle manufacturer known for its high-performance SUVs and a growing portfolio of electrified plug-in hybrid models.
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority responsible for monitoring vehicle safety and issuing official recall campaigns.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
The United Kingdom agency that oversees road safety and manages vehicle defect reporting and recall enforcement.
The details
The defect originates in the high-voltage battery pack, which is prone to thermal overload, posing a direct fire risk to the vehicle and its occupants. To remedy this, authorized dealers will replace the entire high-voltage battery pack with a new unit free of charge. Owners are typically notified of these necessary service actions through registered mail sent directly by the manufacturer.
Timeline
July 8, 2020: Earliest production date of affected European vehicles.
May 25, 2021: Earliest production date of Chinese recall vehicles.
July 1, 2021: Latest production date of Chinese recall vehicles.
September 1, 2026: German recall campaign 16702R was issued.
September 24, 2026: SAMR recall notice was issued in China.
The Home Front
This action highlights an ongoing shift in automotive safety standards as regulators increase oversight on high-voltage battery thermal stability. The global response reflects stricter compliance requirements for electric and hybrid powertrain components.
If you own a Land Rover Defender plug-in hybrid, verify your vehicle identification number against official manufacturer notices in your specific country. Always contact a certified dealer to schedule the high-voltage battery inspection and replacement if your model is included in the recall.
The takeaway
Vehicle battery recalls are critical safety interventions intended to mitigate fire risks caused by thermal overload. Monitor your postal mail for official notifications from the manufacturer and ensure that any required battery service is performed promptly by a licensed professional.
Further reading
For more on how manufacturers manage battery safety standards, visit the Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Autoevolution.
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