2023–2026 Range Rover PHEV owners: open recalls for power loss, airbag failure & brake wear — no fix yet. See if California's lemon law entitles you to a refund.
The 2023–2026 Land Rover Range Rover PHEV (platform L460, sold as the P550e and P460e) combines a turbocharged inline-six with a plug-in hybrid battery to deliver near-600 hp and an EPA-rated electric range that lets urban owners avoid the gas station on short trips. At $130,000–$175,000 MSRP, buyers expect reliability to match the price. The real-world experience for many California owners has been different: a vehicle that can suddenly lose all drive power and go dark on the highway, brakes that wear down before the first oil change, and a cascade of unresolved safety recalls that Land Rover has no current fix for. If your Range Rover PHEV has stranded you on the road, triggered repeated dealer visits, or accumulated open recalls with no repair available, California's lemon law — the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — may entitle you to a full vehicle replacement or refund.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
Battery warning illumination; overheating of battery pack; smoke or fire from battery area; risk present even while parked
Red warning message 'Stop Safely — Electrical Fault Detected' appears on dashboard; vehicle loses all motive power within seconds; exterior lights fail; vehicle shifts to neutral at highway speed; 12-volt battery stops charging; complete vehicle shutdown while driving
No owner-visible warning prior to crash event; driver airbag fails to deploy in a collision; airbag warning light may eventually illuminate as corrosion progresses
Vehicle unexpectedly loses all drive power while in motion; transmission shifts into neutral without driver input; gear selector appears to be in Drive but vehicle does not accelerate; warning lights on dashboard
Brake pad wear warning illuminates before 15,000 miles; rear brake pads require replacement at 10,000-17,000 miles; brake squealing; brake pedal feels spongy or reduced in effectiveness; dealer confirms severe rear pad/rotor wear at inspection
Rear center seat belt buckle does not click/latch securely; belt feels loose or disengages during seating; occupant may believe they are belted when they are not
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
Red warning message 'Stop Safely — Electrical Fault Detected' appears on dashboard; vehicle loses all motive power within seconds; exterior lights fail; vehicle shifts to neutral at highway speed; 12-volt battery stops charging; complete vehicle shutdown while driving
HIGHEST PRIORITY. Complete loss of drive power and lighting at highway speed is a catastrophic safety event. Recall 26V248000 has no fix available over two months after issuance — owners driving vehicles with an active, unrepaired safety defect. JLR's 5,952 pre-recall warranty claims establish long-standing knowledge. Under Cal. Civ. Code §1793.2, failure to repair within a reasonable number of attempts plus ongoing defect with no remedy available strongly supports a buyback claim. Vehicle is arguably unsafe to drive.
No remedy available as of April 2026 (recall issued with interim owner notice only). Interim letters mailed June 17, 2026 warning owners of the risk. Final remedy under development; JLR recall refs D126 and H575.
No owner-visible warning prior to crash event; driver airbag fails to deploy in a collision; airbag warning light may eventually illuminate as corrosion progresses
Airbag non-deployment is a federal safety standard (FMVSS 208) violation. Interim remedy (lubricant gel) is a temporary measure, not a permanent fix — leaving the vehicle with an unresolved safety defect. Combined with other open recalls (DC-DC converter, transmission), cumulative open recall count supports substantial-impairment argument.
Interim remedy: dealers apply protective lubricant gel to driver airbag connector terminals at no charge. Interim owner letters expected August 7, 2026. Final remedy still under development as of June 2026.
Battery warning illumination; overheating of battery pack; smoke or fire from battery area; risk present even while parked
Vehicle fire risk is the most severe category of defect. Although recall 23V568 covers only one unit (intercepted pre-sale), its existence documents JLR's awareness of HV battery assembly quality-control failures on the L460 PHEV platform. Useful in conjunction with other electrical/battery issues to establish a pattern of PHEV system quality failures.
Dealer replacement of the entire high voltage battery pack at no charge.
Vehicle unexpectedly loses all drive power while in motion; transmission shifts into neutral without driver input; gear selector appears to be in Drive but vehicle does not accelerate; warning lights on dashboard
Loss of drive power at highway speed is a documented crash cause. NHTSA complaint database for 2024 Range Rover includes two fatal-crash complaints (ODI 11712866, 11712859) involving PCM/FPDM reset-triggered propulsion loss — the mechanism is consistent with this recall. Owners who experienced loss-of-power events before the recall remedy was available have strong multiple-repair-attempt arguments.
Dealer inspection; transmission replacement as necessary at no charge. Owner notifications mailed July 25, 2024. JLR recall N903.
Brake pad wear warning illuminates before 15,000 miles; rear brake pads require replacement at 10,000-17,000 miles; brake squealing; brake pedal feels spongy or reduced in effectiveness; dealer confirms severe rear pad/rotor wear at inspection
Repeated brake replacement at extraordinarily low mileage constitutes a substantial impairment of use and value. Six JLR service bulletins acknowledging the defect establish manufacturer knowledge. Class action filed in federal court (California, Illinois, New York) for 2023 MY. PHEV variant is heavier than gas-only due to battery pack, potentially experiencing even more severe brake loading. Owners should document each repair visit, mileage at failure, and any warranty denials.
Dealer replacement of brake pads and rotors under warranty; cost $2,476–$4,098 per event when outside warranty. No permanent fix confirmed; owners report recurrence after replacement. Six service bulletins issued acknowledging the problem.
Rear center seat belt buckle does not click/latch securely; belt feels loose or disengages during seating; occupant may believe they are belted when they are not
Seat belt failure is a federal safety standard violation (FMVSS 209/210). A vehicle delivered with a defective seat belt has a safety-critical defect from day one. In the context of multiple concurrent recalls on the L460 platform, this recall contributes to a cumulative substantial-impairment argument.
Dealer replacement of the second-row center seat belt buckle and retaining bolt at no charge. Owner letters sent April 22, 2025.
Low coolant warning; coolant visible pooling under vehicle; overheating warning; white smoke from engine bay; dealer or technician finds cracked radiator or leaking coolant hoses
Coolant system failure in a PHEV is particularly significant: the L460 PHEV relies on liquid cooling for both the internal combustion engine and the high-voltage battery thermal management system. A leaking coolant system may affect PHEV battery cooling performance, compounding the defect's impact. Repeated dealer visits for the same coolant issue support a multiple-repair-attempt claim under Cal. Civ. Code §1793.2.
Dealer replacement of radiator and/or coolant hoses under warranty. No formal recall issued as of research date. Class action (Nowling v. JLRNA, filed Oct. 2024) seeks to compel a recall and provide restitution to affected owners.
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The driver's air bag clockspring connector may corrode, preventing the driver airbag from deploying as intended in a crash event.
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The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. Failure causes loss of 12-volt system charging and can escalate to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting. Within 10 seconds of failure onset, a red warning message appears; continued driving results in total loss of motive power.
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Second-row center seat belt buckle may not latch correctly due to a manufacturing error in the buckle assembly, causing the buckle to fail to engage or release unexpectedly.
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Transmission oil pressure may decrease below required operating level, causing the clutch to shift into neutral gear unexpectedly, resulting in sudden loss of drive power.
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A bolt connecting the busbar to the high voltage battery module connector was not tightened to the required clamp force; arcing at the joint generates excessive heat, damages the battery casing, and creates a fire risk.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the nation. If your Land Rover Range Rover PHEV has a defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer has been given a reasonable number of attempts to repair it, you may be entitled to:
California presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been exceeded if the same defect has required repair four or more times (or two times for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury), or if the vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a total of more than 30 days within the warranty period.
Importantly, if you prevail, Land Rover — not you — pays your attorney's fees. This means a qualified lemon law attorney can typically take your case at no out-of-pocket cost to you. The clock starts ticking from the date of the first repair attempt, so do not delay.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Your eligibility depends on the specific facts of your situation.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
One of the most frustrating outcomes after a dangerous incident is the dealer writing 'could not duplicate' or 'no fault found' in the repair order. Here is how to protect yourself:
Document everything immediately. Take photos or video of any warning lights before you turn off the car. Note the exact conditions: speed, road, weather, mileage, time of day. If the car shuts down, call for a tow rather than restarting — a fresh restart clears stored fault codes that the technician needs.
Request the dealer pull all stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), including pending and historical codes, before any work is done. Ask for a written copy of the code readout — you are entitled to this.
Mention the active recalls by campaign number. For the DC-DC converter issue, cite Recall 26V248 specifically. Dealers are obligated under federal law to acknowledge an open recall even when they cannot replicate the failure event.
Keep every repair order, even if it says 'no fault found.' Under California law, each dealer visit for the same complaint counts as a repair attempt regardless of whether the technician reproduces the problem. Four or more attempts (or two for a serious safety defect) on the same issue may qualify the vehicle as a lemon.
If the dealer refuses to inspect for a known recall, file a complaint with NHTSA at safercar.gov and document that refusal — it strengthens your claim.
The 2023–2026 Range Rover PHEV is a car that is genuinely unsafe to drive in its current recalled state. Recall 26V248 — the DC-DC converter that can kill all power and lights at highway speed — has no fix two months after it was issued. Land Rover's own records show more than 5,900 warranty replacements for this part before the recall even existed, meaning the manufacturer knew about the problem for years. Stacking on top of that: an open airbag recall with only a temporary lubricant 'fix,' a transmission that can unexpectedly shift into neutral (linked to fatal crash reports), and brakes worn out before 15,000 miles on a vehicle that costs as much as a house down payment. California owners of this vehicle should be documenting every repair visit and evaluating whether their car qualifies for a buyback now, not after another breakdown.
— The Margarian Law team
If your Range Rover PHEV has been back to the dealer more than once for the same problem — power loss, brake failure, transmission trouble, or any of the open recalls — you may already qualify for a California lemon law buyback. You paid six figures for a vehicle that should work. Find out if Land Rover owes you a refund or replacement.
Yes. NHTSA Recall 26V248 (issued April 2026, JLR internal references D126 and H575) covers certain 2020–2024 Land Rover Range Rovers — including MHEV variants — for a DC-DC converter defect that can cause complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting without warning. JLR has confirmed the defect but has no repair available as of June 2026; interim owner letters were mailed on June 17, 2026. If your vehicle shows a red 'Stop Safely — Electrical Fault Detected' warning or loses power while driving, stop safely, call for a tow, and contact your dealer to document the event. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
Many 2023 Range Rover (L460) owners — including PHEV variants — report rear brake pads triggering the wear warning before 15,000 miles, with some requiring full replacement as early as 10,000 miles. Land Rover has issued at least six internal service bulletins acknowledging the accelerated wear pattern, and a federal class action lawsuit has been filed covering California, Illinois, and New York owners. Repair costs run $2,476–$4,098 per event when outside warranty. The PHEV's added battery weight (curb weight roughly 5,830 lb versus approximately 5,100 lb for the gas model) places additional thermal load on the brake system. If your dealer has replaced your brakes more than once under warranty, those visits may count toward a California lemon law claim.
It may. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon if a defect substantially impairs its use, value, or safety and the manufacturer or dealer has been given a reasonable number of chances to fix it. California law presumes this threshold is met if the same defect has required repair four or more times (or two times for a defect that could cause death or serious injury), or if the vehicle has been out of service for repair for more than 30 cumulative days during the warranty period. Dealer visits that result in 'no fault found' still count as repair attempts if you brought the car in for the same complaint. Keep every repair order and note the mileage and date of each visit. A California lemon law attorney can review your records for free and, if your case qualifies, Land Rover pays attorney fees — not you.
Yes. NHTSA Recall 24V380 (issued May 2024, JLR recall number N903) covers certain 2024 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles for a transmission defect where dropping oil pressure causes the clutch to unexpectedly shift into neutral, resulting in sudden complete loss of drive power. The remedy is dealer inspection and transmission replacement as necessary at no charge. Additionally, NHTSA's complaint database for the 2024 Range Rover includes reports of fatal crashes involving propulsion loss consistent with this defect mechanism. If your 2024 Range Rover PHEV has experienced unexpected loss of drive power or the gear selector shows Drive but the car will not move, document the incident immediately and contact your dealer citing Recall 24V380.
You are not without options. First, ask the dealer to create a repair order documenting the open recall and the fact that no remedy is available — this visit still counts as a repair attempt. Second, request a loaner vehicle while your car is in an unsafe state; dealers are often required to provide one under warranty terms. Third, file a complaint with NHTSA at safercar.gov describing the open recall and your inability to get a repair. Fourth — and most importantly — do not restart driving the vehicle as if it is safe: Recall 26V248 (DC-DC converter / power loss) has no remedy available and the defect can cause a highway shutdown without warning. Under California's Song-Beverly Act, a vehicle that cannot be repaired within a reasonable time or number of attempts may qualify for a full repurchase regardless of whether the manufacturer has developed a fix yet.
There are two documented fire-related concerns on the L460 PHEV. First, NHTSA Recall 23V568 (JLR recall N786) covers one 2023 Range Rover PHEV in which a bolt on the high-voltage battery busbar was under-torqued at the factory, creating an arcing risk that could cause the battery to overheat and catch fire. That single vehicle was intercepted before consumer delivery and the recall is closed. Second, an NHTSA complaint (ODI 11647651) from a 2023 Range Rover owner describes a vehicle fire that started while the car was parked and spread to the owner's home, attributed to an electrical or power system fault. If you smell burning, see smoke near the engine or battery area, or receive a battery warning, park outside away from structures and contact a dealer and emergency services if appropriate.
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