VehicleVerdict

1988 Jaguar XJS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 1988 Jaguar XJS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other XJS years?

XJS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted19 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 7 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 7 complaints1989: 17 complaints1990: 19 complaints1991: 8 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 7 complaints1996: 9 complaints1998: 2 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 1 complaints
XJS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XJS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Jaguar XJS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System457%
Seat Belts343%

Does the 1988 Jaguar XJS have recalls?

4 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.

90V123000Fuel SystemJuly 2, 1990 · 35,000 units

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.

90V035000Speed ControlFebruary 20, 1990 · 32,749 units

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.

89V168000EngineOctober 11, 1989 · 1,994 units

Defect

EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR.

Consequence

THIS CREATES FUEL ODORS AND AFTER PROLONGED CYCLINGCOULD CAUSE WEAKENING OF THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN FUELTANK LEAKS. IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

INSTALL REVISED PURGE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WAS PARKED IN A SMALL STRIP CENTER. I HAD JUST LEFT THE BARBER SHOP AND I TOOK NOTE OF ALL THE KIDS IN THE PARKING LOT AND A SUV PARKED NEARBY. I TURNED ON THE ENGINE OF MY 1988 XJSC JAGUAR, ENGINE SOUND SEEMED NORMAL. I THEN TURNED MY HEAD TO VIEW THE REAR AND PROCEEDED TO MOVE IN REVERSE, BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 1, 2008 · crash

“THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MECHANISM (AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS) ON MY 1988 JAGUAR XJ6 COUPE ARE NOT WORKING. JAGUAR CLAIMS A LIFETIME WARRANTY. HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE ON "NATIONAL BACK ORDER" ACCORDING TO MY DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF I CHOOSE TO DRIVE MY CAR, POSSIBLY A TRAFFIC VIOLATION AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 30, 2009

1988 Jaguar XJS — common questions

Is the 1988 Jaguar XJS reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1988 Jaguar XJS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Jaguar XJS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 Jaguar XJS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.