1989 Jaguar XJS
Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1989
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1989: 14 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 7 |
| 1989 | 14 |
| 1990 | 15 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 4 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Only 14 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Seat belts
4 of 14 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing front.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl * the contact owns a 1989 Jaguar XJS. The contact stated that the restraint system had become inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 93V179000 (Seat belts) and contacted the dealer for repairs.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-10-17
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-26
I request your intervention and investigation on my behalf in regards to Jaguar motorcar's seat belt failures. Specifically, I own a 1989 Jaguar XJS with automatic seat belts. These belts have failed numerous times since owning this car.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-18
Fuel system, gasoline
4 of 14 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing injectors and tank assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
Fuel leak from fuel injector rail, causing fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-10
Engine and engine cooling
2 of 14 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing catalytic convertor and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle fire due to catalytic converter overheating.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-09-21
Electrical system
2 of 14 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing module and ignition.
Visibility
1 of 14 total reports mentions: visibility, most commonly citing power window devices and controls.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
1990-05-21Vehicle speed control90V035000 Electronically controlled valves in the cruise control actuator may not function properly due to dirt entering the valves.
Remedy: Replace cruise control actuator and install additional vacuum dump valve.
-
R
1990-12-24Fuel system, gasoline90V123000 Excessive fuel vapor pressure can occur that, after prolonged cycling, could weaken the fuel tank structure.
Remedy: Install a revised fuel purge system which eliminates excessive vapor pressure build-up.
-
R
1992-03-23Electrical system92V009000 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…
Remedy: Replace the high tension leads with shorter high tension leads. Replace both the fuel injector and the #4A fuel injector hose as necessary.
-
I
1993-05-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-11-04 Passive restraint failure
-
R
1994-02-21Seat belts93V179000 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…
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…
Buy-smart checklist
1989 Jaguar XJS — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Seat belts: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel system, gasoline: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 90V035000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 90V123000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 92V009000 · Electrical system
- Recall 93V179000 · Seat belts
FAQ
- Is the 1989 Jaguar XJS reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1989 Jaguar XJS?
- The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1989 Jaguar XJS have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.