Jaguar Xj sedan problems
The Jaguar XJ is a series of mid-size/full-size luxury cars produced by British automobile manufacturer Jaguar Cars (becoming Jaguar Land Rover in 2013) from 1968 to 2019. It was produced across five basic platform generations (debuting in 1968, 1986, 1994, 2003, and 2009) with various updated derivatives of each. From 1970, it was Jaguar's flagship four-door model. The original model was the last Jaguar saloon to have been designed under the leadership of Sir William Lyons, the company's founder, and the model has been featured in countless media and high-profile appearances.
Series 1, 2, and 3 (1968–1992)
Overview
The first generation Jaguar XJ was produced for a total period of 24 years, with two major facelifts – in 1973 and in 1979, with a raised front bumper and less tall grilles.
For four years, the 1968 introduced XJ was always a four-door, straight-six saloon on a 2.76 m (108.75 in) wheelbase. In 1972, a more spacious, 4-inch (10 cm) longer wheelbase (LWB) option, and a 5.3 litre V12 engine were added. On the XJ series II (from 1973), the standard wheelbase (SWB) saloons were cancelled in 1974 – but a SWB two-door (series II only) coupé was sold from 1975–1978.
The 1979 series III saloons received a redesigned greenhouse (upper body) and bumpers. The 6-cylinder series III models were replaced by the second generation Jaguar XJ in 1987, but the V12 models not until 1992.
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Jaguar Xj sedan model years
Common Jaguar Xj sedan problems
Based on the information gathered from the sources provided, here is a list of common problems with the Jaguar XJ sedan cars as reported by owners:
- Engine Misfire and Power Loss:
- Symptoms: Misfiring engine, drop in power, hard starting, and check engine light.
- Cause: Potential issues with ignition coils.
- Solution: Replacing the ignition coil, which can be done to save on repair costs.
- Coolant Leak:
- Symptoms: Overheating, sweet smell, and colored liquid beneath the car.
- Cause: Rapid wear of the coolant reservoir leading to cracks.
- Solution: Check for reservoir cracks, seal minor ones, or replace the reservoir if cracks are significant.
- Roof Hydraulic System Issues:
- Symptoms: Roof stops opening/closing or operates slowly.
- Cause: Sub-par hydraulic fluid.
- Solution: Flush and replace hydraulic fluid with Jaguar-approved version.
- Leaking Engine Oil Pan Gasket:
- Symptoms: Burning smell inside and outside the car.
- Cause: Leaking engine oil pan gasket.
- Solution: Replace the gasket with a new one to address the issue.
- Airbag Fault:
- Symptoms: Airbags may not deploy in a collision.
- Cause: Misprogrammed Restraint Control Module (RCM).
- Solution: RCM software update required to ensure proper airbag deployment.
- Power Steering Failure:
- Symptoms: Loss of power steering, requiring more effort to turn.
- Cause: Electrical short circuit.
- Solution: Jaguar should repair this issue for free, even if the car is out of warranty.
- Brake Issues:
- Symptoms: Increased pressure needed on the brake pedal to stop.
- Cause: Leaking brake pipes due to incorrectly tightened union joints.
- Solution: Replace the leaking brake pipes to restore proper brake function.
- Electric Windows Malfunction:
- Symptoms: Electric windows stop working or get stuck.
- Cause: Various electrical issues.
- Solution: Diagnosis and repair of the specific electrical problem affecting the windows.
These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt repairs to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of Jaguar XJ sedan cars.
Do Jaguar XJ have problems?
Coolant Leaks | 3.0 Supercharged V6 & 5.0 V8
Sadly, the water pump is not the only part of the cooling system that can fail on petrol XJ models, many of the hoses and pipes used for coolant delivery are of a plastic design, unfortunately these can crack and fail.
How reliable is the Jaguar XJ?
Much more so than you might imagine. While Jaguar languished in 29th place out of 32 in our list of most reliable used car brands, the XJ fared rather better. In fact, owners named it the second most reliable used luxury car in 2023: only 14% went wrong, and the only area of concern were non-engine electrics.
Are Jaguar XJ expensive to maintain?
In short, yes — Jaguars cost a pretty penny throughout their lifetimes. On average, Jaguars cost $1,123 per year to maintain and repair, according to RepairPal (a site that estimates automotive repair costs).
Why did Jaguar discontinue the XJ?
The XJ was pulled because there's no way that Jaguar could produce enough models to justify the cost. See the discontinuation of the electric XJ as a way of Jaguar ensuring it has the financial health to quickly adapt its lineup to an all-electric future.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Jaguar Xj sedan years
We have researched Jaguar problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Jaguar Xj sedan cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Jaguar Xj sedan model years:
- Jaguar Xj sedan 2000
- Jaguar Xj sedan 2005
- Jaguar Xj sedan 2006
- Jaguar Xj sedan 2008
- Jaguar Xj sedan 2011
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Jaguar Xj sedan model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Jaguar Xj sedan years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Jaguar Xj sedan car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Jaguar Xj sedan , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Electronic stability control (esc) problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Jaguar Xj sedan vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Xj sedan model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Jaguar Xj sedan . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Jaguar Xj sedan vehicles.
List of Jaguar Xj sedan complaints
Jaguar Xj sedan 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2011-08-04
- Date Complaint: 2011-08-14
- VIN: SAJDA15B6YM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: I OWN A 2000 JAGUAR XJR AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALER/REPAIR FACILITY NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THEM WHICH IN THE END LEFT ME WITH A SEIZED MOTOR AT ONLY 80K MILES. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE CAR GOING INTO "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" WHICH MEANS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHATSOEVER FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND SAID IT WAS A LINEAR SWITCH IN THE J GATE SHIFT CONSOLE. $700.00 AND THREE MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM PERSIST. TOOK IT BACK ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO LOCK ITSELF OUT FROM STARTING ITSELF. SECOND I WOULD MERGE ON THE FREEWAY AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE NEARLY CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. HAD THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSE THAT AND STILL COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THESE TECHNICAL FAULTS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING ON AND OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE FINALLY HAD THE CHAIN TENSIONER SNAP CAUSING MY MOTOR TO BASICALLY SEIZE ITSELF. CONTACTED JAGUAR CARS AMERICA AND SAID THE CAR IS TOO OLD AND FAR PAST ITS WARRANTY FOR THEM TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. COMPLETELY UNFAIR CONSIDERING THERE WAS NEVER EVEN A RECALL MADE FOR THE OLD CHAIN TENSIONER. APPARENTLY JAGUAR RE INTRODUCED A NEWER RE MANUFACTURED CHAIN TENSIONER THAT TOOK THE PLACE OF THE OLDER ONES THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY INSTALLING. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE A MANDATORY RECALL FOR ALL JAGUARS V8'S 98-2000. THESE CARS ARE BASICALLY TICKING TIME BOMBS IF THEY HAD NOT ALREADY HAD THE NEWER CHAIN TENSIONERS INSTALLED. I LOVE THE CAR DEARLY BUT JAGUAR CARS NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THESE FAULTS AND REPAIR THEM ACCORDINGLY. IT IS SIMPLY NOT FAIR FOR ME TO HAVE A VEHICLE I HAVE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED TAKE A PLUNGE ON ME OUT OF NOWHERE. THE CAR SHOULD NOT REQUIRE A WHOLE NEW MOTOR AT 80K. NOT EVEN IF ITS BEEN NEGLECTED! WHAT KIND OF ENGINEERING IS THIS?! *TR
Jaguar Xj sedan 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2010-01-07
- Date Complaint: 2010-01-21
- VIN: SAJDA23C5YL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: JAGUAR: XJ8L, 2000: THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES/TENSIONERS BROKE CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC AS IT DID TO A FRIEND WITH A YEAR OLDER. WITH SUCH FAILURE THE ENGINE STOPS ABRUPTLY, NO MATTER WHERE IT IS. THIS RISKS SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WITH INJURY OR DEATH ON HIGHWAYS. THE GUIDES/TENSIONERS FAIL BEFORE 100K MILES ANY TIME BETWEEN ABOUT 60 AND 95K. THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. A NEW KIT IS AVAILABLE WITH METAL PARTS BUT AT $1200 COST FOR THE KIT AND JAGUAR DOES NOT PAY FOR IT, NOR THE LABOR TO INSTALL THE NEW GUIDES, NOR THE OTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE TENSIONERS/GUIDES FAIL. THIS SITUATION IS A MAJOR TOPIC ON EDMUNDS, AND OTHER SITES. THIS WAS A MAJOR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT HAS AFFECTED THIS MODEL FOR YEARS. WHY HASN'T THE NHTSA DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR, HIGH RISK FAILURE? *TR
Jaguar Xj sedan 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2009-03-11
- Date Complaint: 2009-03-13
- Fire: 1
- VIN: SAJDA15B6YM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I PULLED IN TO A PARKING LOT AND PLACED MY CAR IN PARK. THE CAR WAS IDLING FOR ABOUT 5 MIN. I NOTICES A FLICKER OF FLAME FROM THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT AREA. I RAISED THE HOOD AND FLAMES FROM THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT SHOT UP FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I POURED WATER ON IT AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I HAD EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES JUST PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED. I HAD DRIVEN IT ONLY ONE WEEK. THE FIRE CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BOTH THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHTS, THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS, WIRES IN THAT AREA, AND HEAT SHIELD ON THE HOOD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE JAGUAR DEALER IN DES MOINES, IA. I AM STILL AWAITING SOME KIND OF CORRECTIVE ACTION THAT IS BEING DELAYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
Jaguar Xj sedan 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2008-10-27
- Date Complaint: 2008-10-27
- VIN: SAJDA15B4YM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: JAGUAR 2000 XJR: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DISPLAY WARNING MESSAGE THAT TRACTION CONTROL / ASC WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND WOULD GO INTO A FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. ENGINE WOULD THEN RUN VERY ROUGHLY AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 5-10MPH. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A FAULT CODE OF P0121 WHICH IS ADDRESSED AS A KNOWN JAGUAR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR A "MISMATCHED" CONNECTOR TO THE THROTTLE BODY. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY MANY JAGUAR OWNERS THAT IS KNOWN BY JAGUAR AND CONSTITUTES A SAFETY HAZARD. JAGUAR KNOWS THAT IT MISMATCHED GOLD AND TIN PLATED THROTTLE BODY CONNECTORS AND ADVISED ITS REPAIR TECH'S TO REPLACE ONLY IF CUSTOMER COMPLAINS! HOW WILL A CUSTOMER KNOW SUCH A PROBLEM EXISTS UNTIL IT HAPPENS AND IT WILL HAPPEN EVENTUALLY. ANYTHING THAT MAY SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AFFECT A VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. JAGUAR SHOULD HAVE AND MUST ISSUE A FULL RECALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS CATASTROPHICALLY INJURED AND/OR KILLED. IT COSTS IN EXCESS OF $450+ TO FIX THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND JAGUAR IS ALLOWING CONSUMERS TO DRIVE UNSAFE VEHICLES THAT MAY FAIL AT THE WORST TIME. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND IT FAILED AT THE WRONG TIME AND GOT BROADSIDED WITH MY WIFE OR CHILDREN INSIDE? *TR
Are you having problems with your Jaguar Xj sedan?
