RoadVitals

1988 Jaguar Xjs

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest May 6, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Nov 1, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Jaguar Xjs, most frequently naming the fuel system and seat belts categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system457.1%
  • Seat belts342.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V179000

SEAT BELTS

Nov 1, 1993
52,102 units potentially affected
The defect: THE NORMAL LOCKUP FUNCTION OF THE AUTOMATIC (PASSIVE) BELT REEL CAN CAUSE THE BELT MOTOR WINCH ASSEMBLY TO LOCKUP SUCH THAT THE PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM WILL NOT DEPLOY/FUNCTION OR GETS STUCK AT VARIOUS POINTS ALONG THE TRACK CAUSING THE KINKING OR BREAKING OF ITS CABLE OR DETACHMENT OF THE TONGUE.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE CANNOT USETHE SAFETY BELTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOPOR ACCIDENT.
The remedy: JAGUAR WILL REPAIR THE PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS OR HAS OCCURRED. JAGUAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMATIC (PASSIVE) BELT SYSTEM.
JAGUAR MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
90V123000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Jul 2, 1990
35,000 units potentially affected
The defect: EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.
The risk: THIS CAN CAUSE FUEL TANK LEAKS WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OFAN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: INSTALL A REVISED FUEL PURGE SYSTEM WHICH ELIMINATES EXCESSIVE VAPOR PRESSURE BUILD-UP.
JAGUAR ROVER TRIUMPH INC.View on NHTSA.gov
90V035000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Feb 20, 1990
32,749 units potentially affected
The defect: ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.
The risk: CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATINGCONDITIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR AND INSTALL ADDITIONAL VACUUM DUMP VALVE.
JAGUAR ROVER TRIUMPH INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE93042ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURE

Opened May 4, 1993
Closed Nov 4, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 93V179000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Seat belts
Filed May 6, 2019

1988 JAGUAR XJS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE SEAT BELT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS

NHTSA ID
11205632
Incident
Oct 1, 2018
Fuel system
Filed Sep 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 JAGUAR XJS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FUEL LINE BECAME LOADED WITH FUEL, WHICH CAUSED PRESSURE TO BUILD IN THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 89V168000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID
10631439
Incident
Jul 14, 2010
Mileage
36,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 28, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 JAGUAR XJS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD NOT PULL OUT FROM ITS RETRACTOR, MAKING IT INOPERABLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS RESTRICTED UN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V179000 (SEAT BELTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

NHTSA ID
10415484
Incident
Jun 28, 2011
Mileage
67,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 JAGUAR XJS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. HE STATED THAT THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG THAT IT GAVE HIM A HEADACHE. HE ADDED FUEL TO THE VEHICLE AND THOUGHT THAT HE HAD SPILLED SOME FUEL ON HIM. HE REFERENCED RECALL 90V123000,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THEY NO LONGER CARRY THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN AUGUST 2010. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,002 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 44,200. UPDATED 1/25/11 *CN UPDATED 04/14/11

NHTSA ID
10353049
Incident
Aug 23, 2010
Mileage
42,002 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 15, 2009

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MECHANISM (AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS) ON MY 1988 JAGUAR XJ6 COUPE ARE NOT WORKING. JAGUAR CLAIMS A LIFETIME WARRANTY. HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE ON "NATIONAL BACK ORDER" ACCORDING TO MY DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF I CHOOSE TO DRIVE MY CAR, POSSIBLY A TRAFFIC VIOLATION AS WELL. JAGUAR SEEMS UNABLE/UNWILLING TO HONOR ITS WARRANTY, GIVING IN THE WORDS OF A FELLOW JAGUAR OWNER "A SONG AND DANCE". *TR

NHTSA ID
10288542
Incident
Jun 30, 2009
Fuel system
Filed May 5, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS PARKED IN A SMALL STRIP CENTER. I HAD JUST LEFT THE BARBER SHOP AND I TOOK NOTE OF ALL THE KIDS IN THE PARKING LOT AND A SUV PARKED NEARBY. I TURNED ON THE ENGINE OF MY 1988 XJSC JAGUAR, ENGINE SOUND SEEMED NORMAL. I THEN TURNED MY HEAD TO VIEW THE REAR AND PROCEEDED TO MOVE IN REVERSE, BUT AS I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN A VIOLENT MANNER ON ITS OWN. THE CAR MOVED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET IN SECONDS AND I FOUND MYSELF GOING BACKWARDS FOR NO LOGICAL REASON. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD, BUT AS I DID THE CAR LUNGED SIDEWAYS INTO A BLOCK WALL PROTECTED BY A CONCRETE STEEL POST. AS I HIT THE POST, THE REAR OF MY CAR BOUNCED INTO THE REAR OF A PARKED SUV. POLICE SUSPECT THAT I TRAMPED ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT FOOT WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF THE CRASH. I HAVE THE BEST DRIVER RATING WITH STATE FARM, I DO NOT USE ANY DRUGS LEGAL OR ILLEGAL AND WAS EXTRA CAUTIOUS THAT DAY BECAUSE OF ALL THE KIDS IN THE AREA. SO FAR, THE REAL CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT HAS NOT BEEN FOUND ALTHOUGH I SUSPECT THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226725
Incident
May 1, 2008
Mileage
44,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 11, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GAS TANK IS LEAKING GAS ALL OVER THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS AND INTO THE TRUNK. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE HAS 3 FUEL TANKS CHARACTERISTICS AND POOR DESIGN IS CAUSING A LEAK. MR

NHTSA ID
8020726
Incident
Oct 5, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A customer may report "Hood Open" message displays on IP with hood closed.

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

EQUIPMENT

SIM card activation issues

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

EQUIPMENT

InControl Touch Pro phase 4 customer letter

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Jaguar Xjs by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002100—
2001100—
1998100—
1997000—
1996710—
1995610—
1994610—
1993110—
1992421—
1991811—
1990153158.0
1989144162.9
1988Viewing741—
1987161—
1986241—
1985431—
1984231—
1983141—
1982161—
1981021—
1980140—
1979010—
1978121—
1977020—
1976040—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.