Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1991 Jaguar XJS, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Suspension1
- Electrical system1
- Vehicle speed control1
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 1991 Jaguar XJS failed the safety check 1.08% of the time — 4% less often than the average 1991 passenger car (1.13%). Median odometer at inspection: 61,115 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
54 first registered in 1991 are on Dutch roads; 69% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde17
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen12
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld6
- Slijtage/beschadiging wiellager hoorbaar of voelbaar3
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht3
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm2
- Richtingaanwijzer werkt niet (goed)2
- Remvertraging / remwerking parkeerrem onvoldoende2
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, 258 of these cars first registered in 1991 took their annual MOT test. 79% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1991 the figure was 70%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1991 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 11.2% | 10.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.9% | 16.2% |
| Visibility | 5.4% | 6.4% |
| Suspension | 5.0% | 8.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.5% | 8.7% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.9% | 2.1% |
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
29 1991 cars are on the New Zealand register; 72% arrived as used imports, 17% 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 1991 Jaguar XJS.
| 1992005 23 Jan 1992 | Fuel System THE HIGH TENSION LEAD FROM THE IGNITION COIL MAY MOVE FROM ITS PRODUCTION LOCATION CLOSER TO THE #4A FUEL INJECTOR HOSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN OZONE DEGRADATION… |
| 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… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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 1991 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 |
| 615827 | PORTABLE DIAGNOSTIC UNIT SOFTWARE - JTP626/2. *TT |
| 615822 | INFORMATION INTRODUCING NEW SOFTWARE - JTP626/2, JTP627/1 AND PDU TO PC DOWNLOAD JTP628/1. *TT |
| 605716 | GUIDELINES ON CHECKING/REPLACING INOPERATIVE BLUE RELAY OXIDIZED OR DAMAGED TERMINALS. *TT |
| 605691 | SUBJECT ON LEFT FORWARD HARNESS. *TT |
| 604142 | SUBJECT REGARDING POOR ANTENNA MAST OPERATION - CLEANING - REPLACING. *TT |
| 54463 | REPLACING THE OUTER COVER OF THE CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP. *YC |
| 43092 | REVISED SPARK PLUG SPECIFICATIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH V12 ENGINES. *TW |
| 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 |
| 10011971 | CONVERTABLE SOFT TOP REPLACING OUTER COVER. *EH |
| 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