VehicleVerdict

1989 Jaguar XJS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 1989 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.

17

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other XJS years?

XJS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 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, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XJS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Jaguar XJS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System529%
Seat Belts424%
Electrical System212%
Engine212%
Visibility & Wipers16%
Other16%
Body & Structure16%
Brakes16%

Does the 1989 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.

92V009000Electrical SystemJanuary 23, 1992 · 11,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

SPLITTING OF THE INJECTOR HOSES WOULD CAUSE EXPULSION OFFUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OFIGNITION.

Remedy

REPLACE THE HIGH TENSION LEADS WITH SHORTER HIGH TENSION LEADS. REPLACE BOTH THE FUEL INJECTOR AND THE #4A FUEL INJECTOR HOSE AS NECESSARY.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A BREAK AND CONSEQUENT SERIOUS FUEL LEAK, REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK AT A COST OF $1,791.46. CONSUMER STATED THAT, THIS WAS AN ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT IN THE TANK THAT WAS ON GOING OR NOT PROPERLY FIXED. THEREFORE, CONSUMER IS SEEKING A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

“EMAIL FWD FM ROGER W. JOHNSON (TX) RE DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS IN HIS 1989 JAGUAR XJS, REQUESTS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR POSSIBLE RECALL.*MR THE VEHICLES AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS HAVE FAILED SIX TIMES SINCE THE CONSUMER OWNED THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED OR REPLACED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

“CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ENGINE RAN ROUGH, MOTOR WOULD STICK & HESITATE. DEALER CHANGED SPARK PLUGS & REPAIRED SEALS & INJECTOR. THE CAR HAS A STEADY HISTORY OF PROBELMS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 1989

“CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ENGINE RAN ROUGH, MOTOR WOULD STICK & HESITATE. DEALER CHANGED SPARK PLUGS & REPAIRED SEALS & INJECTOR. THE CAR HAS A STEADY HISTORY OF PROBELMS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 1989

1989 Jaguar XJS — common questions

Is the 1989 Jaguar XJS reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1989 XJS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (5 complaints), seat belts (4 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 1989 Jaguar XJS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Jaguar XJS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 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.