VehicleVerdict

1990 Jaguar XJS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 1990 Jaguar XJS — 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.

19

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other XJS years?

XJS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 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, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XJS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Jaguar XJS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes421%
Fuel System316%
Suspension211%
Tires & Wheels211%
Electrical System211%
Engine211%
Visibility & Wipers15%
Other15%
Seat Belts15%
Transmission15%

Does the 1990 Jaguar XJS have recalls?

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

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.

“WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED SLIGHTLY HARDER THAN NORMAL THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT CROSSING CENTER LINE OF ROADWAY. DRIVER STUGGLED TO PULL IT BACK TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THAT WHEEL TO LOCK UP.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 23, 1998

“FUEL TANK DEVELOPED LEAK. WEB SEARCH REVEALED THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. CAUSE IS EITHER TANK PUNCTURE BY CONTACT WITH RIVET OVER TIME OR A REAR WINDOW LEAK ALLOWING WATER INTRUSION. WATER SATURATES FOAM ON WHICH TANK RESTS AND CORRODES METAL FROM OUTSIDE. PASSENGER CABIN IS CONTAMINATED WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 27, 2001

“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35/40 MPH TIRE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO CRASH. TIRE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, P235/60R15. TIRE WAS TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRE. OWNER STILL HAS TIRE. DOT # HYVEJBA507. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 6, 2000

“GAS TANK FAILURE CAUSED LEAKAGE, RESULTING IN ODOR AND FUMES ENTERING VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RECALL RELATED 90V-123. CONSUMER REQUEST REMBERSMENT. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 3, 2000

“THE JAGUAR XJS V12 FROM MID 1989-ON, EQUIPPED WITH MARELLI IGNITION HAS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR THAT RESULTS IN LOSS OF IGNITION ON THE RIGHT BANK OF CYLINDERS. THE MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN ON THE 6 LEFT BANK CYLINDERS, AND UNBURNED FUEL PASSES THROUGH THE RIGHT HAND CYLINDERS, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

1990 Jaguar XJS — common questions

Is the 1990 Jaguar XJS reliable?

The record is thin — 19 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 1990 XJS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (4 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 1990 Jaguar XJS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Jaguar XJS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 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.