AI Damage1990 Jaguar XJS: common problems
Owners of the 1990 Jaguar XJS filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 27% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 13% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (27% of all).
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5.3 L · petrol · 12 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Pirelli tire blew out at sidewall while in spare tire compartment, causing accident/loss of control.
The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's seat belts are not locking into place. The contact stated previously there was a recall for the seat belts for her vehicle.
Cause is either tank puncture by contact with rivet over time or a rear window leak allowing water intrusion. Water saturates foam on which tank rests and corrodes metal from outside. Passenger cabin is contaminated with fumes unless windows are closed and fan is on.
The motor continues to run on the 6 left bank cylinders, and unburned fuel passes through the right hand cylinders, and ignites in the hot catalytic converter, resulting in a fire that leads to the total loss of the car.
Vehicle caught fire within the ignition system. Vehicle was totaled.
While driving about 35/40 mph tire on the front passenger's side exploded. There was no crash. Tire not original equipment, p235/60r15. Tire was taken to a firestone dealership. Dealer refused to replace tire. Owner still has tire. Dot # hyvejba507.
There was a leak in the gas tank. Then tank split wide open due exsessive pressure in the tank that was suppose to had been fixed in the 1990 under a fuel tank assembly recall. Took to dealer, and they denied the problem.
Gas tank failure caused leakage, resulting in odor and fumes entering vehicle, possibly recall related 90v-123. Consumer request rembersment.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,286 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the XJS has 4 complaints (21 years in the data). This year has 15, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Jaguar XJS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, fuel system, electrical system. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), brake failure (7%), fuel system, fuel smell (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 Jaguar XJS?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1990 Jaguar XJS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1990 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.