1990 Jaguar Xjs recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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.
What could happen: 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 fix: REPLACE THE HIGH TENSION LEADS WITH SHORTER HIGH TENSION LEADS. REPLACE BOTH THE FUEL INJECTOR AND THE #4A FUEL INJECTOR HOSE AS NECESSARY.
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 1990 XJS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V009000.
- 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:IGNITION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: SPLITTING OF THE INJECTOR HOSES WOULD CAUSE EXPULSION OFFUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OFIGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE HIGH TENSION LEADS WITH SHORTER HIGH TENSION LEADS. REPLACE BOTH THE FUEL INJECTOR AND THE #4A FUEL INJECTOR HOSE AS NECESSARY.
Notes: SYSTEM: IGNITION SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES WITH MARELLI IGNITION SYSTEMS.
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 1990 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 1990 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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1990 Jaguar Xjs owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (4), Fuel system (3), Gasoline (3), Hydraulic (3), Electrical system (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/15/2010 · 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 ESTIMAT…
06/14/2004 · Unknown Or Other
CONSUMER SEEKING CONFIRMATION FOR THREE RECALLS INVOLVING THE 1990 XJS.*MR
02/28/2001 · Fuel system
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 C…
09/19/2000 · Electrical system · fire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN THE IGNITION SYSTEM. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
09/16/2000 · Electrical system · fire
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…
08/08/2000 · Wheels / 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. *AK
06/22/2000 · Fuel system
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
05/31/2000 · Brakes
THE ABS IS DEFECTIVE. YH