1985 Jaguar Xjs problems
The Jaguar XJ-S (later called XJS) is a luxury grand tourer manufactured and marketed by British car manufacturer Jaguar Cars from 1975 to 1996, in coupé, fixed-profile and full convertible bodystyles. There were three distinct iterations, with a final production total of 115,413 units over 20 years and seven months.
Originally developed using the platform of the then-current XJ saloon, the XJ-S was noted for its prominent rear buttresses. The early styling was partially by Jaguar's aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer—one of the first designers to apply advanced aero principles to cars—however Sayer died in 1970, before the design was finalised.
Its final iteration, produced from 1991 to 1996, was manufactured after Jaguar was acquired by Ford, who introduced numerous modifications – and eliminated the hyphen in the name, marketing Jaguar's longest running model simply as the XJS.
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Common 1985 Jaguar Xjs problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Jaguar XJS 1985, here are some common problems with this car:
- Rust and Corrosion: Like many cars from the 70s and 80s, the Jaguar XJS is prone to rust and corrosion in areas such as the lower front wing section, around the windscreens, and the taillights. Repairing and removing this rust can be costly, making it a common concern for owners.
- Braking System Issues: Some owners have reported that the car takes longer to come to a stop when the brakes are applied. This issue is often attributed to worn-out brake pads or discs, which are relatively easy to replace and are usually available in stores.
- Overheating Engine: Owners have experienced instances where the engine overheats dramatically, accompanied by excessive white smoke from the exhaust. These symptoms indicate a blown or cracked head gasket, which requires replacement to resolve the issue.
- Electrical Problems: The Jaguar XJS is known for its complex wiring system, especially around the V12 engine, which can lead to electrical problems due to the direct heat exposure. The lack of an engine cover and systematic assembly of the harness can contribute to these issues, making electrical problems a common concern for owners.
These common problems highlight some of the challenges faced by owners of the Jaguar XJS 1985, ranging from ignition failures to rust issues and electrical complexities. Addressing these issues promptly and with the right solutions can help maintain the performance and reliability of this classic car.
Is the XJS reliable?
The XJ finished top in the luxury car class in our most recent reliability survey, with an excellent overall score of 94.3%.
Why is the XJS so cheap?
The Jaguar XJ-S was built from 1975-96 and was the most affordable mass-produced V-12 sports car ever built. But owners constantly balanced enjoyment and aggravation, which has depressed prices to bargain levels. Stiffer emissions and safety regulations demanded a new kind of Jaguar sports car in the 1970s.
What is the top speed of a 1985 Jaguar XJ-S V12?
The Jag used the same 5.3-liter, 244-horsepower V-12 engine found in the final iteration of the XKE to hit a top speed of around 150 mph. Through the years, the color range was expanded and an H.E (high efficiency) engine was added in 1982, but sales remained between 3,500 and 5,000 cars a year.
Are Jaguars comfortable?
The XF's ride is a little bit firm around town, but at higher speeds it's comfortable and well controlled on both standard suspension and the adaptive set-up (called Adaptive Dynamics) fitted to the 300 Sport.
1985 Jaguar Xjs car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Jaguar Xjs problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Other problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Jaguar Xjs vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1985 Jaguar Xjs complaints
The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Jaguar Xjs.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-07-14
- Fire: 1
- VIN: SAJNV5848FC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THIS 1985 JAGUAR HAD AN ENGINE FIRE WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER, PARTS WERE REPLACED AND THE CAR HAD A SECOND ENGINE FIRE IN MY GARAGE, I HAVE REPLACED THE PARTS AGAIN. THE FIRE STARTS IN THE FUEL RACK AREA.I HAVE SOME OF THE OLD PARTS THAT WERE BURNT. THANK YOU
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-07-09
- Fire: 1
- VIN: SAJNV5848FC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ENGINE FIRE, BURNT SEVERAL ITEMS ON ENGINE, REPLACED WITH USED PARTS, ENGINE FIRE A SECOND TIME, REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THERE IS A FUEL ODOR IN THE TRUNK. OWNER CONCERNED THAT A SPARK COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO THE FUEL TANK.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-18
- VIN: SAJNV5848FC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: RECEIVED RECALL FOR FUEL TANK, HAD TWO INCHES OF GAS IN TRUNK, DEALER WOULD NOT DO RECALL WORK. PRESTON JAGUAR YORK, PA 717 755-0973. TT
1985 Jaguar Xjs recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1985 Jaguar Xjs.
- Manufacturer: JAGUAR ROVER TRIUMPH INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: JAGUAR ROVER TRIUMPH INC.
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: JAGUAR CARS
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
- Summary: POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF THE HOSE/CLIP FITTINGS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, WITH FUEL LEAKAGE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE OR THE DESTRUCTION OF IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR CAP.
- Remedy: A NEW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE FUEL HOSE CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1985 Jaguar Xjs problems:
xjs v12 common faults, - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
Jan 5, 2011 ... As already mentioned, the transmission oil cooler and leaky head gasket are both plausible suspects. If you are now referring to the engine oil ...
Jaguar XJS: Common Problems and Solutions | BreakerYard.com
Jaguar XJS Common Problems and Solutions · Complete Loss of Power · Car Pulling To Side · Slow Braking · Knocking From Gearbox (All Automatics) · Overheating Engine ...
Advice on buying a Jaguar XJS | FinalGear.com Forums
The problem with this design is that the ignition cap and rotor are not that great. The rotor specifically will fail in such a way that half of ...
V12 engine Problems - XJ-S - Jag-lovers Forums
Nov 13, 2019 ... Hi all im a newbie here and live in the uk. I recently acquired a 1978 xjs which was running very badly and obviously not on 12 cylinders.
5 Things That Make The Jaguar XJ-S Great (5 Reasons We Won't ...
Aug 20, 2022 ... The Marelli failure is one of the most common problems almost every XJ-S owner might have faced. For those who do not know what a Marelli ...
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