A Georgia family is suing JLR for millions of dollars after a fire destroyed their home, with the lawsuit alleging that a 2017 Range Rover caught fire while parked and that a malfunction involving its infotainment system caused the blaze.
Fire Destroyed the Home on Christmas Eve
The Mitchell family, including five children ages 12 to 21, lost their home on December 24, 2024, while they were in the process of selling the property. The house was already under contract, with the closing scheduled for just 20 days later.
The fire began at around 11:16 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Firefighters took more than seven hours to control the blaze, but according to the complaint, “the fire consumed the Mitchells’ home and the vast majority of its contents.”
The lawsuit says each member of the Mitchell family suffered physical and emotional injuries, including head trauma, burns and PTSD.
Lawsuit Blames the Range Rover’s Infotainment System
Following the fire, the plaintiffs hired Hernan Mercado-Corujo, a mechanical engineer who performs forensic analysis to determine the origin and cause of fires involving motor vehicles, farm equipment, ships and other equipment.
According to the lawsuit, Mercado-Corujo determined that the fire began under the driver’s seat of the 2017 Range Rover, in a component known as the Infotainment Master Controller, or IMC.
The IMC controls the vehicle’s infotainment system, including its navigation and touchscreen features.
Complaint Alleges IMC Malfunction Started the Fire
The complaint states that Mercado-Corujo determined a malfunctioning component inside the IMC caused it to overheat, starting the fire. The lawsuit alleges that the fire then spread rapidly, engulfing the Range Rover and the home.
According to the complaint, the IMC remains powered on at all times to support quicker load times and connected services. The plaintiffs therefore argue that, because of the failed component, the system was “unsafe for its intended and reasonably foreseeable use.”
2017 Range Rover Recalls Do Not Involve the Alleged Cause
The 2017 Range Rover currently has eight recalls, but none involve the components that the lawsuit alleges caused the fire. The Mitchells claim in the suit that there were no open recalls on their vehicle.
CarBuzz searched National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaint records for the 2017 Range Rover but found no complaints involving the IMC or a fire attributed to that area.
Family Seeks Property, Medical and Punitive Damages
The Mitchell family is seeking damages for the loss of their property and personal belongings, as well as existing and future medical care.
The lawsuit also seeks punitive damages “in an amount sufficient to punish defendants for their willful, wanton, or consciously indifferent conduct.”
The plaintiffs further allege that JLR and other defendants “have acted in bad faith, have been stubbornly litigious, and have caused Plaintiffs unnecessary trouble and expense.”
