Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1982 Jaguar XJS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
1
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 1 | 100% | — flat |
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.
Consequence
THIS CAN CAUSE FUEL TANK LEAKS WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OFAN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
INSTALL A REVISED FUEL PURGE SYSTEM WHICH ELIMINATES EXCESSIVE VAPOR PRESSURE BUILD-UP.
Defect
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.
Consequence
CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATINGCONDITIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR AND INSTALL ADDITIONAL VACUUM DUMP VALVE.
Defect
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.
Remedy
A NEW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE FUEL HOSE CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
Defect
FUEL LEAKAGE MAY DEVELOP AT THE TWO MAIN FUEL RAIL CONNECTIONS. DETERIORATION AT THESE TWO CONNECTIONS HAS BEEN TRACED TO A COMBINATION OF MISALIGNMENT OF THE TWO RAIL HALVES AND THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE CHANGES.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT TWO PIECE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW PART KIT OF SINGLE PIECE DESIGN.
Defect
CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY BE FITTED WITH AN UNAUTHORIZED FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL INERTIA SWITCH. THIS SWITCH HAS A TIN COATING ADDED TO THE CONTACTS THAT CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A HIGH ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE. THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE DISTORTION OF THE PLASTIC MOUNTING AROUND THE FIXED CONTACT. THIS COULD RESULT IN INABILITY TO START THE VEHICLE SINCE THERE IS A FLOW OF CURRENT TO THE FUEL PUMP.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INERTIA SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Defect
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.
Remedy
ALL AFFECTED HOSES AND ATTACHMENT CLIPS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1982 JAGUAR XJS. THE VEHICLE IS PERMEATING FUMES AND RUNS POORLY DUE TO THE LOSS OF FUEL. A SPECIALIST STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DAMAGED AND LEAKING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FOLLOWING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS WERE REFERENCED: 81V134000, 85V087000 AND…”
The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1982 Jaguar XJS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.