NHTSA opens audit query into 2021–2023 Jaguar and Lucid vehicles: High Voltage Coolant Heaters may fail to defrost windshield
On April 3, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Audit Query (AQ24004) into 2021–2023 Jaguar and Lucid vehicles, concerning the visibility. An Audit Query reviews whether a manufacturer has met its federal safety reporting or recall obligations. As of NHTSA’s latest data it is still open.
- Action
- AQ24004 (Audit Query)
- Status
- Open
- Component
- Visibility: Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: Windshield: Electrical Heating Element
- Listed
- 4 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Makes | Jaguar, Lucid |
|---|---|
| Models | AIR, I-Pace |
| Model years | 2021–2023 |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
In a Part 573 Report dated July 27, 2023, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (JLR) notified NHTSA of a safety-related defect in 2021-2022 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. This filing was assigned Recall No. 23V-518. JLR noted that the subject vehicles are equipped with High Voltage Coolant Heaters (HVCH), supplied by Webasto Group (Webasto), that can develop cracking and delamination of the heating element, leading to an inability to defrost the front windshield, which may increase the risk of a crash. In a Part 573 Report dated January 11, 2024, Lucid USA, Inc. (Lucid) notified NHTSA of a safety-related defect in 2022-2023 Lucid Air vehicles. This filing was assigned Recall No. 24V-011. Lucid noted the subject vehicles are equipped with HVCH, supplied by Webasto, that can delaminate, leading to an inability to defrost the front windshield, which may increase the risk of a crash. The purpose of this Audit Query (AQ) is to: 1. Obtain a complete list of purchasers and the quantities for which the same or similar HVCH were supplied; 2. Obtain copies of all written communications initiated by Webasto and sent to its purchasers regarding the subject equipment; and 3. Request Webasto, per 49 CFR 573.3(f), submit a requisite Part 573 Recall Report for defective HVCH installed into motor vehicles of multiple vehicle manufacturers.
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for AQ24004, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
What owners have reported
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the model years in this investigation, reporting 13 crashes, 4 injuries. These are all complaints on file for those vehicles, about any problem, not only this one; complaints are unverified owner reports.
| Vehicle | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 AIR | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 AIR | 29 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| 2021 I-Pace | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 I-Pace | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recalls and problems for these vehicles
Timeline
- ODI opens audit query AQ24004
- OpenNo closing date yet
What this means for owners
- An investigation is not a recall. NHTSA has not made a defect finding here, and owners are not asked to do anything yet. If a safety defect is confirmed, the manufacturer recalls the vehicles and the repair is free.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search AQ24004 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.