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1990 Jaguar XJS problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Jaguar XJS is brakes. It has 15.0 times the complaints of a typical XJS model year.

Typical year15.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
15
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
23
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 1990 Jaguar XJS problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Tires
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 3

Electrical system: ignitionReported January 23, 1992 · 11,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The high tension lead from the ignition coil can move from the production location closer to the #4a fuel injector hose. This could lead to the outer and inner injector hoses cracking or splitting from ozone deterioration.
Risk
Splitting of the injector hoses would cause expulsion offuel in the engine compartment and result in a fire when exposed to a source ofignition.
Remedy
Replace the high tension leads with shorter high tension leads. Replace both the fuel injector and the #4a fuel injector hose as necessary.

Recall number 92V009000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported July 2, 1990 · 35,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Excessive fuel vapor pressure can occur that, after prolonged cycling, could weaken the fuel tank structure.
Risk
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.

Recall number 90V123000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported February 20, 1990 · 32,749 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Electronically controlled valves in the cruise control actuator may not function properly due to dirt entering the valves.
Risk
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.

Recall number 90V035000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1990 Jaguar XJS

Defect investigations

Passive restraint failureOpened May 4, 1993, closed November 4, 1993

There is no summary currently available

PE93042

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Jaguar XJS 23

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 23 bulletins for the 1990 Jaguar XJS

What 1990 Jaguar XJS owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 15, 2010 · Seat belts · 152,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 jaguar xjs. 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. The dealer was contacted and they stated that they do not have the part to repair the seat belt and that is on backorder with no estimated time. There had been no repairs. The failure mileage was 152000 and the current mileage was 157000. Updated 03/02/11 *bf the consumer stated the driver's side seat belt has developed an additional problem. It does not lock into place, it keeps ratcheting back and forth, which wears down the battery. The consumer stated she has to pull the fuse to disable it, which renders the seat belt ineffective . The consumer stated the parts have been on backorder for over a year. Updated 03/09/11

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · TX

Consumer seeking confirmation for three recalls involving the 1990 xjs.

Filed Feb 28, 2001 · Fuel system · CA

Fuel tank developed leak. Web search revealed this is not an uncommon problem. 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. Trunc contains both liquid and fumes in the area of the battery and electrical fuel pump.

Filed Sep 19, 2000 · Electrical · FL · fire

Vehicle caught fire within the ignition system. Vehicle was totaled.

Filed Sep 16, 2000 · Electrical · CA · fire

The jaguar xjs v12 from mid 1989-on, equipped with marelli ignition has a design defect in the distributor rotor that results in loss of ignition on the right bank of cylinders. 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. This phenomenon has been discussed in depth on the forum "[email protected]" and details can be extracted from the searchable xj-s archives at www.jag-lovers.org engineers in the discussion forum have analyzed failed parts and determined that the marelli-type distributor rotor burns through and arcs to ground the current for the right side bank of cylinders. This is a dangerous and costly situation, and should be the subject of a recall. Www.copart.com, the insurance salvage site, typically lists several fire damaged xjss per month. Insurance companies and jaguar dealers can substantiate the number of fires that have occured, but they may never have investigated the cause of these fires, since the vehicles are usually declared a total loss and sold for salvage. This problem is related to the marelli-type rotor. Original or aftermarket does not seem to make a difference. This problem is separate and distinct from engine fires in earlier xjs cars that were caused by an arcing high tension iginition wire, or from older xjs cars that have engine fires due to deterioration of fuel injection hoses. I hope that the federal safety agency will devote some resources to investigating this.

Filed Aug 8, 2000 · Tires · NV

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.

Filed Jun 22, 2000 · Fuel system · VA

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.

Filed May 31, 2000 · Brakes · CA

The ABS is defective. Yh

Filed May 18, 2000 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

Gas tank failure caused leakage, resulting in odor and fumes entering vehicle, possibly recall related 90v‑123. Consumer request rembersment.

Filed Sep 25, 1999 · Brakes · CA

Total loss of control, for 3-5 sec. With car swerving side to side at 50mph on freeway. Miraculously avoided major collision/injury. My 12 yo daughter said she thought she was going to die.

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Compare the 1990 Jaguar XJS

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Questions about the 1990 Jaguar XJS

Is the 1990 Jaguar XJS reliable?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 1990 Jaguar XJS, 15.0 times a typical XJS model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Jaguar XJS?

Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is fuel system (3).

How many recalls does the 1990 Jaguar XJS have?

3 recalls, covering electrical system, fuel system, gasoline and vehicle speed control.

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