Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Jaguar XJS, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts3
- Fuel system, other2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 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 1988 Jaguar XJS failed the safety check 0.40% of the time — 61% less often than the average 1988 passenger car (1.01%). Median odometer at inspection: 65,298 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
63 first registered in 1988 are on Dutch roads; 71% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde5
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen4
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af3
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm3
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont2
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse2
- Dim-, grootlicht werkt niet (goed)2
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld2
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, 266 of these cars first registered in 1988 took their annual MOT test. 80% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1988 the figure was 71%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1988 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.8% | 16.0% |
| Suspension | 6.8% | 8.8% |
| Visibility | 3.0% | 6.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 5.2% |
| Steering | 1.9% | 3.6% |
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 Finland
5 of these cars first registered in 1988 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 119,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
34 1988 cars are on the New Zealand register; 41% arrived as used imports, 50% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1988 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… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR.
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 1988 Jaguar XJS: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 618514 | SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE SPARK PLUGS THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY CORONA DISCHARGE THAT LEADS TO CORONA STAIN OR WHAT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS SPARK PLUG BLOW-BY. *TT |
| 605716 | GUIDELINES ON CHECKING/REPLACING INOPERATIVE BLUE RELAY OXIDIZED OR DAMAGED TERMINALS. *TT |
| 604142 | SUBJECT REGARDING POOR ANTENNA MAST OPERATION - CLEANING - REPLACING. *TT |
| 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 |
| 10011902 | MOTORIZED AUTOMATIC DIAGONAL SEAT BELTS LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY FAULT DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM OPERATION. *EH |
| 10011544 | INOPERATIVE BLUE RELAY OXIDIZED OR DAMAGED TERMINALS CHECKING REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. THIS REPLACES SERVICE BULLETIN 86178 DATED 5/97. *EH |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation