Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1985 Jaguar XJS, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Fuel system, other1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1985 Jaguar XJS failed the safety check 0.58% of the time — 23% less often than the average 1985 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 81,940 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
55 first registered in 1985 are on Dutch roads; 67% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen13
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld8
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde5
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af3
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht3
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm3
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse2
- Waarschuwingsknipperlichten werken niet (goed)2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 111 of these cars first registered in 1985 took their annual MOT test. 74% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1985 the figure was 72%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1985 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 14.4% | 9.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.4% | 15.6% |
| Visibility | 10.8% | 6.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.3% | 7.2% |
| Suspension | 5.4% | 8.1% |
| Steering | 3.6% | 3.8% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
31 1985 cars are on the New Zealand register; 52% arrived as used imports, 29% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1985 Jaguar XJS.
| 1990114 27 Jul 1990 | 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… |
| 1990034 21 Feb 1990 | 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 OCC… |
| 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… |
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.
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.
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.
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 1985 Jaguar XJS: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 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