Jaguar Sovereign 1990 problems
The Jaguar XJ (XJ40) is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured by Jaguar Cars between 1986 and 1994. It was officially unveiled on 8 October 1986 as an all-new, second generation of the XJ to replace the Series III, although the two model ranges were sold concurrently until the Series III was discontinued in 1992. The XJ40 used the Jaguar independent rear suspension arrangement, and featured a number of technological enhancements, such as electronic instrument cluster.
The 1993 XJ6 earned the title of "Safest Car in Britain" as the result of a government survey. The original 1986 car gave way to the heavily revised Jaguar XJ (X300) in 1994, followed by the Jaguar XJ (X308) in 1997. The XJ40 and its later derivatives is to date the second longest running XJ platform, with a total production run of 17 years. After the XJ40, Jaguar's intention was to launch a brand new saloon with a new V8 engine. Ford halted development of the saloon, termed XJ90, and proposed to instal its new engine and front and rear ends onto the centre section of the XJ40 model; however, the V8 was not ready.
Development
Throughout the 1970s, Jaguar had been developing Project XJ40, which was an all-new model intended to replace the original XJ6. Scale models were being built as early as 1972. Due to the 1973 oil crisis and problems at parent company British Leyland, the car was continually delayed. Proposals from both Jaguar's in-house designers and Pininfarina were received. Eventually, it was decided an internal design would be carried through to production.
In February 1981, the British Leyland board approved £80 million to produce the new car. Launch was originally scheduled for 1984. Following Jaguar's de-merger from BL and privatization that same year, the company's CEO John Egan took advantage of the resurgence in sales of the existing Series III XJ6, particularly in the lucrative North American market, to delay the XJ40's launch a further two years to allow for more development time.
The XJ40 was at the time the most extensively tested vehicle the company had ever developed. Designs for the XJ40 pioneered significant improvements to how Jaguar cars were designed, built, and assembled. Among these improvements was a 25% reduction in the number of bodywork panels required per car (e.g. three pressings needed for a Series 3 door compared with one for a XJ40 door), resulting in not only a more efficient assembly process but also a weight saving and a stiffer structure. Despite this, early production XJ40s still suffered from reliability, particularly with its electrical systems and build quality issues, which damaged its reputation, and further continued Jaguar's poor reputation for quality, despite the extensive testing of the car, and the engineering efforts to improve quality. The protracted development time meant the car dated much quicker than its rivals, and it was quickly superseded technologically by the E32 BMW 7-Series (1986), the Lexus LS400 (1989), and the W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1991). Following the takeover by the Ford Motor Company in 1990, the XJ40 was replaced by the X300. While it was based on the XJ40 platform, the X300 was highly revised in almost all areas.
Retired Jaguar founder William Lyons had acted in a consultative role during the XJ40 project's early phase, and was shown the final prototype shortly before his death in 1985, and was said to be approving of the car - thus the XJ40 is widely believed to be the final Jaguar to have had Lyons' involvement.
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Common Jaguar Sovereign 1990 problems
The Jaguar Sovereign 1990, part of the XJ40 series, is known for its luxurious design and powerful performance. However, like any other car, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported over the years.
- Electrical Faults: One of the most common problems with the Jaguar Sovereign 1990 is electrical faults. These faults can range from minor issues like instrument panel malfunctions to major problems like complete electrical system failures. The car's complex electrical system, which includes features like self-leveling shocks and a traditional vacuum booster system, is prone to repeated failure. These issues can be expensive to fix, and maintaining the original systems can cost a fortune.
- Hydraulic System Issues: The Jaguar Sovereign 1990 also suffers from hydraulic system issues, particularly with the brake system and self-leveling shocks (SLS). The car uses green mineral oil in these systems, which can lead to problems over time. Some owners have found it more cost-effective to replace these systems with traditional ones, which can save money in the long run.
- Solder Joints: Another common issue with the Jaguar Sovereign 1990 is solder joints on various components. These joints can become weak over time, leading to failures in different parts of the car. However, once the solder is redone, these issues are usually resolved permanently.
- Door Handles: The door handles on the Jaguar Sovereign 1990 are also known to be problematic. The poor quality of metal used in some of the linkage parts can lead to issues with the door handles. However, there are plenty of posts on forums that can assist with a final fix, eliminating this problem.
- Normal Maintenance Issues: Like any other car, the Jaguar Sovereign 1990 requires regular maintenance. The car's TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) requires attention to ensure it's free of debris, and the XJ40 does not like dirty grounds. Adding this house cleaning to a regular schedule can help prevent issues from arising.
In conclusion, while the Jaguar Sovereign 1990 is a luxurious and powerful car, it does have its share of common problems. Electrical faults, hydraulic system issues, solder joints, door handles, and normal maintenance issues are all areas where owners have reported problems. However, with proper maintenance and care, these issues can be minimized, allowing owners to enjoy the car's luxurious design and powerful performance.
What problems did the Jaguar XJ have?
Water pumps on 5.0 V8 and 3.0 Supercharged XJ models are prone to failure, sometimes they can fail in less than 20,000 miles. This is because coolant gets inside the bearing housing corroding the water pump bearing.
What is the value of a 1990 Jaguar?
The value of a used 1990 Jaguar XJ-Series ranges from $1,899 to $13,368, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
How reliable is XJ6?
The XJ6 uses a re-tuned FZ6 engine, which in itself is a re-tuned R6 motor, so as you would expect with all this re-tuning is hardly stressed and is therefore very reliable. Owners report the XJ6 seldom needs its oil topped up between services, which is always a good sign of a strong motor.
Do Jaguar cars age well?
Because of their superior engineering, Jaguar cars are known to endure longer than the majority of other premium manufacturers on the market right now. Jaguar has an aluminum body which is lighter and less prone to rust than steel. Jaguar has an aluminum body which is lighter and less prone to rust than steel.
Jaguar Sovereign 1990 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Jaguar Sovereign problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Tires problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Jaguar Sovereign 1990 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Jaguar Sovereign 1990 complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Jaguar Sovereign 1990.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-11-01
- VIN: SAJHY174XLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JAGUAR SOVEREIGN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 93V179000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LAND ROVER SPOKANE, 1310 W 3RD AVE #3, SPOKANE, WA 99201, (509)-590-0754) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TT CONSUMER STATED AUTO BELTS (SHOULDER) ARE NON-OPERATIVE AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH DOT STATUTES. (NO SHOULDER BELTS). DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/12/18*JB
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-06-26
- VIN: SAJHY174XLC
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: NON-ROAD HAZARD TIRE FAILURE OF A 205X70XR15 COOPER MASTERCRAFT SENSYS 01 TIRE. WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH ON I-10 NEAR TONAPAH, AZ THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITH A LOUD BANG. WE GOT OFF OF I-10 A FEW FEET AND PUT THE SPARE ON . THE TIRE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED IN ONE SMALL AREA. THESE TIRES ARE ALMOST NEW WITH 10/32NDS TREAD DEPTH AND NO VISIBLE DAMAGE BEFORE THE INCIDENT. TIRE PRESSURES WERE CHECKED BEFORE THE TRIP AT 35PSI FRONT AND 33PSI REAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-05-01
- VIN: SAJHY1740LC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: MAY 2000 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME IN HER 1990 JAGUAR SOVEREIGN - THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY AS SHE WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. LUCKILY, SHE HAD JUST PULLED IN AND WAS GOING VERY SLOWLY AND MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE HAND BRAKE BEFORE REACHING THE GARAGE DOOR. HAD THIS OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC, SHE COULD/WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, ALONG WITH OTHERS AND MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKING WITH NO WARNING SYMPTONS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT - COMPLETE BRAKING (A SAFETY-CRITICAL ITEM) SHOULD NEVER BE LOST DUE TO A ROUTINE PART FAILURE UNLESS COMBINED ABNORMAL ENVIRONMENTS BEING PRESENT. UPON HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO ROSENTHAL JAGUAR IN TYSONS CORNER, VIRGINIA, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS PUMP AND SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED @ COST = $2,800. THE DEALER HAD HIS TECHNICIANS DRIVE THE CAR AND WERE ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM, NARROWLY MISSING A "BAD SITUATION" THEMSELVES DURING THEIR ROAD TESTS. THE SERVICE MANAGER POC IS KEN SMITH, 703-893-1700. HE INDICATED THAT NEVER BEFORE HAD ONE OF THESE ABS SYSTEMS FAILED COMPLETELY, AND ADVISED ME TO CONTACT JAGUAR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOR HELP IN FUNDING THE REPAIR. I CONTACTED KERRI ROSELLI 800-452-4827, OPTION 3, EXT. 8089. SHE CHECKED BUT TOLD ME THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL AND IT WAS NOT JAGUAR'S PROBLEM - WHICH I FIND AN AMAZING CONCLUSION, SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE DEVELOPED. CHECKING WITH INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS ABS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OBSERVED BEFORE IN OTHER JAGUARS, ALTHOUGH NOT NECESSARILY THIS CATASTROPHICALLY, AND THAT THEY FELT THAT A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED BUT NEVER WAS. THEY EXPRESSED SURPRISE THAT JAGUAR WOULD NOT OFFER TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. I FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS - I SUGGEST YOU START BY CALLING THE KEN SMITH @ ROSENTHAL JAGUAR 703-893-1700. EVEN INEXPENSIVE CARS PERFORM BETER THAN THIS EXPENSIVE JAGUAR. JAGUAR NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY-RELATED DEFECTS LIKE THIS. *
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: SAJHY1742LC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: EMPLOYEE THOUGHT THERE WAS BALL JOINT PROMBLEM AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE STRUCTURAL FAILURE RUST ONTO THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER. UPON USING A SCREW DRIVER TO INSPECT AN AREA OF LOOSE POWDER COATING, THE SCREW DRIVER EASILY WALKED THROUGH THE METAL AREA.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-05
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: SAJHY1740LC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE PUT IN REVERSE, SUDDENLY FLEW BACKWARDS, TRIED TO PUT BRAKES ON, BRAKES FAILED, SLAMMED IT INTO DRIVE, CRASHED INTO BMW & PUSHED IT THROUGH A HOUSE. *AK
Jaguar Sovereign 1990 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Jaguar Sovereign 1990.
- Manufacturer: JAGUAR MOTORS, INC.
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: JAGUAR ROVER TRIUMPH INC.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary: HEAD OF REAR CALIPER FIXING BOLT COULD BREAK OFF, LEAVING ONLY BOLT SHANK IN PLACE.
- Consequence: THE BREAK IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER FIXING BOLT COULDRESULT IN AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCES, AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BOLT.
Additional sources
More sources of information about Jaguar Sovereign 1990 problems:
1990 Jaguar XJ6 Problems and Complaints - 13 Issues
Problem with your 1990 Jaguar XJ6? Our list of 13 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1990 Jaguar XJ6.
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Common Jaguar 4.0 & 4.2 V8 Engine Problems - Expert Q&A
Mar 7, 2009 ... Is there problems with the 2001 4 litre v8 motor. I am interested in a 2001 Jaguar Sovereign. - Answered by a verified Auto Mechanic.
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