Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In New Zealand
11 1981 cars are on the New Zealand register; 73% arrived as used imports, 9% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1981 Jaguar XJS.
| 1985080 3 Jul 1985 | Fuel System V.I.N. XJ12 - 310613 TO 431598 XJS - 104146 TO 125224 A POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COMP… |
| 1983118 20 Dec 1983 | Not Entered DUE TO MISALIGNMENT OF FUEL RAIL HALVES AND EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE CHANGE ON THE CONNECTIONS, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE FUEL RAIL JOINTS. … |
| 1982030 22 Mar 1982 | Not Entered THE SUPPLIER OF THE FUEL CUT-OFF INERTIA SWITCH MADE UNAUTHORIZED CHANGES TO THE SWITCH CONTACTS. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS A HIGH ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AND OPE… |
| 1981107 22 Oct 1981 | Not Entered DETERIORATION OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL HOSES IN THE ENGINE BAY CAN CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Jaguar told its dealers about the 1981 Jaguar XJS: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10228531 | DVD software update |
| 10212857 | Mongoose Update. |
| 10212845 | Attachment. |
| 10212844 | Attachment. |
| 10212843 | Attachment. |
| 10212838 | Image. |
| 10212837 | Image. |
| 10146032 | A customer may report "Hood Open" message displays on IP with hood closed. |
| 10146031 | 18C - New face of InControl Touch Pro and 18C software improvements |
| 10146030 | SIM card activation issues |
| 10146029 | InControl Touch Pro phase 4 customer letter |
| 10134968 | Jaguar Land Rover Shop Foreman Conference Call |
| 10127619 | Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation