1980 Jaguar Xjs recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.
What could happen: THIS CAN CAUSE FUEL TANK LEAKS WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OFAN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix: INSTALL A REVISED FUEL PURGE SYSTEM WHICH ELIMINATES EXCESSIVE VAPOR PRESSURE BUILD-UP.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V123000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE FUEL TANK LEAKS WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OFAN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL A REVISED FUEL PURGE SYSTEM WHICH ELIMINATES EXCESSIVE VAPOR PRESSURE BUILD-UP.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL TANK - FUEL PURGE SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS; 2 DOOR COUPE, CABRIOLET, CONVERTIBLE.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. FUEL LEAKAGE MAY DEVELOP AT THE TWO MAIN FUEL RAIL CONNECTIONS. DETERIORATION AT THESE TWO CONNECTIONS HAS BEEN TRACED TO A COMBINATION OF MISALIGNMENT OF THE TWO RAIL HALVES AND THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE CHANGES.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT TWO PIECE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW PART KIT OF SINGLE PIECE DESIGN.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V135000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
Summary: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY DEVELOP AT THE TWO MAIN FUEL RAIL CONNECTIONS. DETERIORATION AT THESE TWO CONNECTIONS HAS BEEN TRACED TO A COMBINATION OF MISALIGNMENT OF THE TWO RAIL HALVES AND THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE CHANGES.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT TWO PIECE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW PART KIT OF SINGLE PIECE DESIGN.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL INJECTION DISTRIBUTION PLUMBING.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LEAKING FUEL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE AND PERSONALINJURY.NOTE: OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PROMPTLY CHECK THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR EVIDENCEOF FUEL LEAKAGE. IF ANY FUEL IS FOUND ON OR AROUND THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WHILETHE ENGINE IS COLD AND THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ON, THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BEOPERATED.
3. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. CERTAIN VEHICLES COULD BE SUBJECT TO A FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF DETERIORATION IN THE INTEGRITY OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL HOSE CONNECTIONS.
What could happen:
The fix: ALL AFFECTED HOSES AND ATTACHMENT CLIPS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V134000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
Summary: CERTAIN VEHICLES COULD BE SUBJECT TO A FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF DETERIORATION IN THE INTEGRITY OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL HOSE CONNECTIONS.
Consequence:
Remedy: ALL AFFECTED HOSES AND ATTACHMENT CLIPS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEMS; FUEL HOSES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: AS THESE FUEL HOSES ARE PRESSURIZED, A REDUCTION IN THEEFFECTIVE CLAMPING LOAD OF THE ATTACHMENT CLIPS COULD ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE,POSSIBLY LEADING TO A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WITHOUTWARNING.NOTE: THE OWNER IS ADVISED TO INSPECT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WITH THE ENGINERUNNING, FOR EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE OR FUEL ODOR.
4. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF THE HOSE/CLIP FITTINGS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, WITH FUEL LEAKAGE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE OR THE DESTRUCTION OF IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR CAP.
What could happen:
The fix: A NEW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE FUEL HOSE CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 85V087000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
Summary: POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF THE HOSE/CLIP FITTINGS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, WITH FUEL LEAKAGE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE OR THE DESTRUCTION OF IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR CAP.
Consequence:
Remedy: A NEW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE FUEL HOSE CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. SYSTEM: FUEL INJECTOR.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1980 Jaguar Xjs owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
10/15/1998 · Wheels / tires
MICHELIN (205-70-15UR) "ENERGY" MXV-4 TIRES DEVELOP BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL LEADING TO BLOW OUTS.