1987 Jaguar Xjs recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
6 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR.
What could happen: THIS CREATES FUEL ODORS AND AFTER PROLONGED CYCLINGCOULD CAUSE WEAKENING OF THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN FUELTANK LEAKS. IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
The fix: INSTALL REVISED PURGE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
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 1987 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V168000.
- 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: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
Summary: EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR.
Consequence: THIS CREATES FUEL ODORS AND AFTER PROLONGED CYCLINGCOULD CAUSE WEAKENING OF THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN FUELTANK LEAKS. IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: INSTALL REVISED PURGE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL VAPOR RECOVERYVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER CARS.
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. 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 1987 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.
3. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.
What could happen: CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATINGCONDITIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR AND INSTALL ADDITIONAL VACUUM DUMP VALVE.
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 1987 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V035000.
- 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: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.
Consequence: CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATINGCONDITIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR AND INSTALL ADDITIONAL VACUUM DUMP VALVE.
Notes: SYSTEM: CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
4. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AND COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
What could happen: SHORT CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN A ELECTRICAL FIRE.
The fix: REROUTE HARNESS; IF CHAFED OR DAMAGED CONDITION WILL BE CORRECTED.
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 1987 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V025000.
- 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
Summary: ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AND COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: SHORT CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN A ELECTRICAL FIRE.
Remedy: REROUTE HARNESS; IF CHAFED OR DAMAGED CONDITION WILL BE CORRECTED.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. JAGUARS MODIFIED BY HESS AND EISENHARDTDOMESTIC MANUFACTURER.
5. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. SEALS OF LOWER FUEL TANK GAUGE COULD FAIL CAUSING GAS TO LEAK INTO LOWER FUEL TANK CAVITY AND POSSIBLY INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
What could happen: IGNITION OF GAS VAPORS WHICH MIGHT BE PRESENT COULDCAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
The fix: REPLACE LOWER FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY TO UPGRADE FUEL SYSTEM TO CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS.
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 1987 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V142000.
- 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: SEALS OF LOWER FUEL TANK GAUGE COULD FAIL CAUSING GAS TO LEAK INTO LOWER FUEL TANK CAVITY AND POSSIBLY INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Consequence: IGNITION OF GAS VAPORS WHICH MIGHT BE PRESENT COULDCAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
Remedy: REPLACE LOWER FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY TO UPGRADE FUEL SYSTEM TO CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL TANKVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS
6. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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 fix: 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.
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 1987 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V179000.
- 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: SEAT BELTS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; PASSIVE RESTRAINTS; BELTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND COUPE PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETYHOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1987 Jaguar Xjs owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (1), Gasoline (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)
04/17/2012 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 JAGUAR XJS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL POP WAS HEARD FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT OPENED THE FUEL PUMP VALVE AND GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE TANK. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT COULD SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING 5 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER…