FaultScore report
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 1990 Jaguar XJS with NHTSA between 1995 and 2010. The largest single group is the brakes.
19
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 2 fires
Median failure at 152,000 miles
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
THE HIGH TENSION LEAD FROM THE IGNITION COIL MAY MOVE FROM ITS PRODUCTION LOCATION CLOSER TO THE #4A FUEL INJECTOR HOSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN OZONE DEGRADATION OF THE INJECTOR HOSE AND POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKS. SUCH LEAKS COULD CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: BOTH "A & B" BANK HIGH TENSION KING LEADS WILL BE REPLACED. #4 INJECTOR HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF CRACKING/SPLITTING AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Fuel System
NOTE: 1978-90 MODELS EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOUR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR SUCH THAT A WEAKENING OF THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED FUEL PURGE SYSTEM WHICH ELIMINATES EXCESSIVE VAPOUR PRESSURE BUILD-UP.
Engine
XJ-S 1982-90 XJ12/VANDEN PLAS 1980-90 DIRT INGRESS MAY CAUSE THE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR TO MALFUNCTION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL FAIL TO DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL. CORRECTION: CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR OPERATION WILL BE CHECKED AND AN ADDITIONAL VACUUM DUMP WILL BE INSTALLED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 "XJ-S@JAG-LOVERS.ORG" 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 complaint #731619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN THE IGNITION SYSTEM. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #870883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
PIRELLI TIRE BLEW OUT AT SIDEWALL WHILE IN SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING ACCIDENT/LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #490528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEAT BELTS
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 complaint #10355715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER SEEKING CONFIRMATION FOR THREE RECALLS INVOLVING THE 1990 XJS.
NHTSA complaint #10079907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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 complaint #741685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 "XJ-S@JAG-LOVERS.ORG" 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 complaint #731619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN THE IGNITION SYSTEM. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #870883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #867143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS IS DEFECTIVE. YH
NHTSA complaint #552446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #864015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK FAILURE CAUSED LEAKAGE, RESULTING IN ODOR AND FUMES ENTERING VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RECALL RELATED 90V-123. CONSUMER REQUEST REMBERSMENT.
NHTSA complaint #862099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
GAS TANK FAILURE CAUSED LEAKAGE, RESULTING IN ODOR AND FUMES ENTERING VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RECALL RELATED 90V-123. CONSUMER REQUEST REMBERSMENT.
NHTSA complaint #862099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL, FOR 3-5 SEC. WITH CAR SWERVING SIDE TO SIDE AT 50MPH ON FREEWAY. MIRACULOUSLY AVOIDED MAJOR COLLISION/INJURY. MY 12 YO DAUGHTER SAID SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO DIE.
NHTSA complaint #712057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED SLIGHTLY HARDER THAN NORMAL THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT CROSSING CENTER LINE OF ROADWAY. DRIVER STUGGLED TO PULL IT BACK TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THAT WHEEL TO LOCK UP.
NHTSA complaint #781704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN DRIVEN, CAUSING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #515586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THERE IS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #515586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
A STRONG GAS ODOR HAS PERMEATED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #515586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 25MPH WHEN ABS WERE APPLIED AND DID NOT FUNCTION. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO BRICK WALL.
NHTSA complaint #813197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE VIBRATES TO THE POINT THAT IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #515586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
PIRELLI TIRE BLEW OUT AT SIDEWALL WHILE IN SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING ACCIDENT/LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #490528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
NOISY DIFFERENTIAL.
NHTSA complaint #483939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.