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1985 Jaguar Xjs

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

4 reports
54,000 miles · Jun 17, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineFire

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

NHTSA ODI #10125592

54,000 miles · Apr 29, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFuel System, OtherFire

ENGINE FIRE, BURNT SEVERAL ITEMS ON ENGINE, REPLACED WITH USED PARTS, ENGINE FIRE A SECOND TIME, REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10118713

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline

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.

NHTSA ODI #781569

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #971820

Official recalls

3

90V123000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jul 2, 1990

EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.

Consequence & remedy

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.

90V035000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 20, 1990

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.

Consequence & remedy

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.

85V087000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

Jul 3, 1985

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: A NEW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE FUEL HOSE CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE90060 · Fuel Tank Leakage

Opened Mar 14, 1990 · Closed Sep 29, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available