1988 Jaguar Xjs Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1988 Jaguar Xjs, and owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1988 Jaguar Xjs
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Seat belts
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.
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.
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
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.
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Vehicle speed control
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.
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Emission control (engine and engine cooling)
Excessive fuel vapor pressure can occur.
Remedy: Install revised purge system components.
7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1988 Jaguar Xjs have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 47,251 miles. Complaints peaked in 2002 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“1988 jaguar xjs. Consumer writes in regards to defective drivers side seat belt. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer repaired the seat belt, but the failure recurred. *js”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 6, 2019 · Seat belts
“Tl* the contact owns a 1988 jaguar xjs. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the fuel line became loaded with fuel, which caused pressure to build in the fuel tank. The contact smelled fuel coming from”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 8, 2014 · Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1988 Jaguar XJS (XJ-S, XJ-SC). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 13 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 11 / 16 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars, Two Seaters |
| Engine | 12 cyl, 5.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd |
Compare Jaguar Xjs model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Jaguar Xjs model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 Jaguar Xjs | 4 | 0 |
| 1977 Jaguar Xjs | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 Jaguar Xjs | 2 | 1 |
| 1979 Jaguar Xjs | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 Jaguar Xjs | 4 | 1 |
| 1981 Jaguar Xjs | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 Jaguar Xjs | 6 | 1 |
| 1983 Jaguar Xjs | 4 | 1 |
| 1984 Jaguar Xjs | 3 | 2 |
| 1985 Jaguar Xjs | 3 | 4 |
| 1986 Jaguar Xjs | 4 | 2 |
| 1987 Jaguar Xjs | 6 | 1 |
| 1988 Jaguar Xjs | 4 | 7 |
| 1989 Jaguar Xjs | 4 | 14 |
| 1990 Jaguar Xjs | 3 | 15 |
| 1991 Jaguar Xjs | 1 | 8 |
| 1992 Jaguar Xjs | 1 | 4 |
| 1993 Jaguar Xjs | 0 | 1 |
| 1994 Jaguar Xjs | 0 | 6 |
| 1995 Jaguar Xjs | 0 | 6 |
| 1996 Jaguar Xjs | 0 | 7 |
| 1998 Jaguar Xjs | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 Jaguar Xjs | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 Jaguar Xjs | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1988 Jaguar Xjs
How do I know if my 1988 Jaguar Xjs has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1988 Jaguar Xjs; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Jaguar dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 89V168000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Jaguar models
- S-Type483 complaints
- XF394 complaints
- X-Type315 complaints
- I-PACE238 complaints
- XJ8176 complaints
- F-PACE137 complaints
- XJ134 complaints
- XJ6127 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.