VehicleVerdict

1989 Jaguar XJ6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 1989 Jaguar XJ6 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

20

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other XJ6 years?

XJ6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted27 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 14 complaints1989: 20 complaints1990: 11 complaints1991: 19 complaints1992: 16 complaints1993: 27 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 16 complaints1996: 26 complaints1997: 9 complaints1998: 2 complaints2000: 1 complaints
XJ6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XJ6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Jaguar XJ6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts735%
Brakes630%
Speed Control315%
Latches & Locks15%
Lighting15%
Body & Structure15%
Transmission15%

Does the 1989 Jaguar XJ6 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

93V179000Seat BeltsNovember 1, 1993 · 52,102 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE CANNOT USETHE SAFETY BELTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOPOR ACCIDENT.

Remedy

JAGUAR WILL REPAIR THE PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS OR HAS OCCURRED. JAGUAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMATIC (PASSIVE) BELT SYSTEM.

90V023000BrakesFebruary 8, 1990 · 38,315 units

Defect

HIGH PRESSURE FLUID SUPPLY HOSE COULD RUPTURE CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID OF THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM.

Consequence

LOSS OF FLUID COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT, AND THE EXPELLED FLUID FROM THE HOSE FAILURE COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL NEW POWER HYDRAULIC HOSE OF A DIFFERENT SPECIFICATION.

90V024000LightingFebruary 8, 1990 · 29,000 units

Defect

BRAKE ACCUMULATOR SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS HYDRAULIC FLUID FLOW TO AND FROM THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP, COULD LEAK, CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID IN THE POWER BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM. THIS LEAK IS ALSO IN THE VICINITY OF ELECTRICAL WIRING.

Consequence

THE LEAKING BRAKE ACCUMULATOR SWITCH COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL POWER INTERRUPTION AND COULD CAUSE THE ASSIST FEATURE OF BRAKES NOT TO RECHARGE. ALSO, FLUID LOSS COULD LEAD TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE TOTHE BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE BRAKE ACCUMULATOR SWITCHES WITH REVISED SEALS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WE OWN A 1989 JAGUAR XJ6 AND THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT EVERYTIME THE DOOR IS CLOSED. SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE BELTS WERE REPLACED BY OUR LOCAL DEALER BUT NOW THE PROBLEM IS THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE DEAL STATED HE CANNOT GET PARTS ANY LONGER. WHAT OPTIONS DO WE HAVE? I'M SURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 24, 2008

“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE CHARGE SWITCH KEEPS GOING OUT, CAUSING THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO FLOW OUT OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY BECOME VERY HARD, AND DO NOT STOP VEHICLE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 1, 1995

“WHEN MOVIN TRANSMISSION PAWL TO REVERSE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, MAKING CONSUMER LOSE CONTROL. CONSUMEER COULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 10, 2000 · crash

“THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE FAILED ON ALL FOUR DOORS AT LEAST TWICE AND THREE TIMES ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOORS. THE DOOR HANDLE WHEN ENGAGED WILL NOT OPEN THEREBY CREATING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF A PERSON OR PERSONS BECOME TRAPPED AND SOMEONE TRIES TO OPEN THE DOORS VIA THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“RECALL #90V024000 CONSUMER IS SECOND OWNER, HAD IT FIX UNDER THE FIRST OWNER BUT STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM .*AK CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE SWITCH TWICE IN TWO YEARS, WHEN IT FAILS IT CAUSES CONSUMER TO LOSE BRAKE PRESSURE, ALSO LEAKS FLUID. *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 23, 1996

1989 Jaguar XJ6 — common questions

Is the 1989 Jaguar XJ6 reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1989 XJ6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (7 complaints), brakes (6 complaints), speed control (3 complaints).

Does the 1989 Jaguar XJ6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Jaguar XJ6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Jaguar XJ6 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.