RoadVitals

1990 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.
15
Latest Sep 15, 2010
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.
3
Latest Jan 23, 1992
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.
3

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Jaguar Xjs, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 23 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

  • Brakes423.5%
  • Fuel system317.6%
  • Engine211.8%
  • Tires & wheels211.8%
  • Electrical211.8%
  • Visibility15.9%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Seat belts15.9%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
92V009000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Jan 23, 1992
11,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE HIGH TENSION LEAD FROM THE IGNITION COIL CAN MOVE FROM THE PRODUCTION LOCATION CLOSER TO THE #4A FUEL INJECTOR HOSE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE OUTER AND INNER INJECTOR HOSES CRACKING OR SPLITTING FROM OZONE DETERIORATION.
The risk: SPLITTING OF THE INJECTOR HOSES WOULD CAUSE EXPULSION OFFUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OFIGNITION.
The remedy: REPLACE THE HIGH TENSION LEADS WITH SHORTER HIGH TENSION LEADS. REPLACE BOTH THE FUEL INJECTOR AND THE #4A FUEL INJECTOR HOSE AS NECESSARY.
JAGUAR CARSView 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

View all 15
Seat belts
Filed Sep 15, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JAGUAR XJS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS ARE NOT LOCKING INTO PLACE. THE CONTACT STATED PREVIOUSLY THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SEAT BELTS FOR HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT AND THAT IS ON BACKORDER WITH NO ESTIMATED TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157000. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAS DEVELOPED AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, IT KEEPS RATCHETING BACK AND FORTH, WHICH WEARS DOWN THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS TO PULL THE FUSE TO DISABLE IT, WHICH RENDERS THE SEAT BELT INEFFECTIVE . THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACKORDER FOR OVER A YEAR. UPDATED 03/09/11

NHTSA ID
10355715
Incident
Jul 15, 2009
Mileage
152,000 mi
Filed Jun 14, 2004

CONSUMER SEEKING CONFIRMATION FOR THREE RECALLS INVOLVING THE 1990 XJS.*MR

NHTSA ID
10079907
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Fuel system
Filed Feb 28, 2001

FUEL TANK DEVELOPED LEAK. WEB SEARCH REVEALED THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. CAUSE IS EITHER TANK PUNCTURE BY CONTACT WITH RIVET OVER TIME OR A REAR WINDOW LEAK ALLOWING WATER INTRUSION. WATER SATURATES FOAM ON WHICH TANK RESTS AND CORRODES METAL FROM OUTSIDE. PASSENGER CABIN IS CONTAMINATED WITH FUMES UNLESS WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND FAN IS ON. TRUNC CONTAINS BOTH LIQUID AND FUMES IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ID
741685
Incident
Feb 27, 2001
Electrical
Filed Sep 19, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN THE IGNITION SYSTEM. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
870883
Electrical
Filed Sep 16, 2000
Fire reported

THE JAGUAR XJS V12 FROM MID 1989-ON, EQUIPPED WITH MARELLI IGNITION HAS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR THAT RESULTS IN LOSS OF IGNITION ON THE RIGHT BANK OF CYLINDERS. THE MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN ON THE 6 LEFT BANK CYLINDERS, AND UNBURNED FUEL PASSES THROUGH THE RIGHT HAND CYLINDERS, AND IGNITES IN THE HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT LEADS TO THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR. THIS PHENOMENON HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN DEPTH ON THE FORUM "[email protected]" AND DETAILS CAN BE EXTRACTED FROM THE SEARCHABLE XJ-S ARCHIVES AT WWW.JAG-LOVERS.ORG ENGINEERS IN THE DISCUSSION FORUM HAVE ANALYZED FAILED PARTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE MARELLI-TYPE DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR BURNS THROUGH AND ARCS TO GROUND THE CURRENT FOR THE RIGHT SIDE BANK OF CYLINDERS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND COSTLY SITUATION, AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. WWW.COPART.COM, THE INSURANCE SALVAGE SITE, TYPICALLY LISTS SEVERAL FIRE DAMAGED XJSS PER MONTH. INSURANCE COMPANIES AND JAGUAR DEALERS CAN SUBSTANTIATE THE NUMBER OF FIRES THAT HAVE OCCURED, BUT THEY MAY NEVER HAVE INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF THESE FIRES, SINCE THE VEHICLES ARE USUALLY DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS AND SOLD FOR SALVAGE. THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE MARELLI-TYPE ROTOR. ORIGINAL OR AFTERMARKET DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THIS PROBLEM IS SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM ENGINE FIRES IN EARLIER XJS CARS THAT WERE CAUSED BY AN ARCING HIGH TENSION IGINITION WIRE, OR FROM OLDER XJS CARS THAT HAVE ENGINE FIRES DUE TO DETERIORATION OF FUEL INJECTION HOSES. I HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL DEVOTE SOME RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATING THIS.

NHTSA ID
731619
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 8, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35/40 MPH TIRE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO CRASH. TIRE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, P235/60R15. TIRE WAS TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRE. OWNER STILL HAS TIRE. DOT # HYVEJBA507. *AK

NHTSA ID
867143
Incident
Jun 6, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Jun 22, 2000

THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK. THEN TANK SPLIT WIDE OPEN DUE EXSESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE TANK THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAD BEEN FIXED IN THE 1990 UNDER A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY RECALL. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY DENIED THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
864015
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed May 31, 2000

THE ABS IS DEFECTIVE. YH

NHTSA ID
552446

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

EQUIPMENT

SIM card activation issues

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

EQUIPMENT

InControl Touch Pro phase 4 customer letter

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

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—
1990Viewing153158.0
1989144162.9
1988741—
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.