The Jaguar Vanden Plas spans 1988–2004 with 25 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1998, 1999, 1996 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1992, 1993, 2002. It delivers up to 18 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Jaguar Vanden Plas is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1988 to 2004 across multiple generations.
How to read a Jaguar Vanden Plas VIN — every digit explained
Every Jaguar Vanden Plas carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Jaguar and the country it was built in (real Jaguar codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Vanden Plas.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- UKSAD · SAJ · SAL
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Vanden Plas, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Jaguar Vanden Plas have?
The Jaguar Vanden Plas has 25 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1988–2004. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2003 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
2002 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
2001 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
2000 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1999 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1998 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1997 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1996 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1995 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1994 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1993 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1992 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 2
Seat Belts
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If this occurs the occupants of the vehicle cannot usethe safety belts, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a sudden stopor accident.
Fix. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1991 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 2
Seat Belts
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If this occurs the occupants of the vehicle cannot usethe safety belts, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a sudden stopor accident.
Fix. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1990 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 3
Seat Belts
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If this occurs the occupants of the vehicle cannot usethe safety belts, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a sudden stopor accident.
Fix. 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. Head of rear caliper fixing bolt could break off, leaving only bolt shank in place.
Risk. The break in the rear brake caliper fixing bolt couldresult in an increase in stopping distances, and could cause an accident.
Fix. Manufacturer will replace defective bolt.
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
1989 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. High pressure fluid supply hose could rupture causing loss of fluid of the brake power assist system.
Risk. Loss of fluid could lead to loss of power assist to the braking system, which may result in loss of vehicle control and an accident, and the expelled fluid from the hose failure could cause an engine compartment fire.
Fix. Install new power hydraulic hose of a different specification.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
What's wrong. Brake accumulator switch which controls hydraulic fluid flow to and from the engine driven pump, could leak, causing loss of fluid in the power brake assist system. This leak is also in the vicinity of electrical wiring.
Risk. The leaking brake accumulator switch could cause electrical power interruption and could cause the assist feature of brakes not to recharge. Also, fluid loss could lead to sudden loss of power assistance tothe braking system, which could result in loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Fix. Replace brake accumulator switches with revised seals.
Seat Belts
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If this occurs the occupants of the vehicle cannot usethe safety belts, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a sudden stopor accident.
Fix. 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.
1988 Jaguar Vanden Plas recalls 4
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
What's wrong. Certain front suspension lower spring pan fixings may fail due to stress corrosion.
Risk. This may allow the cars front suspension to settle ontothe bump stop on one side.
Fix. Install revised specification front suspension spring pan fixings.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
What's wrong. Cruise control may fail to disengage in a normal manner upon application of the brakes, and the rear brake lamps may fail due to malfunction of brake lamp microswitch assembly.
Risk. Possible loss of stop lamps and failure of cruisecontrol to disengage in the normal manner may result in an accident.
Fix. Install a modified microswitch in all vehicles.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. High pressure fluid supply hose could rupture causing loss of fluid of the brake power assist system.
Risk. Loss of fluid could lead to loss of power assist to the braking system, which may result in loss of vehicle control and an accident, and the expelled fluid from the hose failure could cause an engine compartment fire.
Fix. Install new power hydraulic hose of a different specification.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
What's wrong. Brake accumulator switch which controls hydraulic fluid flow to and from the engine driven pump, could leak, causing loss of fluid in the power brake assist system. This leak is also in the vicinity of electrical wiring.
Risk. The leaking brake accumulator switch could cause electrical power interruption and could cause the assist feature of brakes not to recharge. Also, fluid loss could lead to sudden loss of power assistance tothe braking system, which could result in loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Fix. Replace brake accumulator switches with revised seals.
Best and worst years for the Jaguar Vanden Plas
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 17 tracked years, the worst years are 1998, 1999, 1996 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1992, 1993, 2002.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Vanden Plas | Suspension | Average | |
| 1989 Vanden Plas | Vehicle Speed Control | Average | |
| 1990 Vanden Plas | Seat Belts | Average | |
| 1991 Vanden Plas | Air Bags | Average | |
| 1992 Vanden Plas | — | Best | |
| 1993 Vanden Plas | — | Best | |
| 1994 Vanden Plas | Tires | Average | |
| 1995 Vanden Plas | Vehicle Speed Control | Average | |
| 1996 Vanden Plas | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1997 Vanden Plas | Vehicle Speed Control | Average | |
| 1998 Vanden Plas | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1999 Vanden Plas | Vehicle Speed Control | Avoid | |
| 2000 Vanden Plas | Engine And Engine Cooling | Average | |
| 2001 Vanden Plas | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2002 Vanden Plas | — | Best | |
| 2003 Vanden Plas | — | Average | |
| 2004 Vanden Plas | Engine | Average |
What are the most common Jaguar Vanden Plas problems?
The most-reported Jaguar Vanden Plas problems are Other (1 reports), Tires (1 reports) and Engine (1 reports) — out of 49 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Vehicle Speed Control 13 Read
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 vanden plas jaguar. When he attempted to move the vehicle in his driveway it suddenly accelerated to 70 mph. He placed both feet on the brake pedal and was unable to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a wall and his right thumb was broken. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer; however, they would not offer any assistance. The insurance company will not pay for the damages or investigate the failure. The failure and current mileage were 100,000.
Consumer was pulling out of a parking lot and while driving across the lot vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing it to go at an excessive speed, and resulting in a collision. Consumer had both feet on the brakes, pressed down to the floor, and the vehicle would not stop. Consumer lost control of the vehicle. A police officer wrote a ticket. *ak
When the vehicle was put into drive it took off at about 50mph. Vehicle hit another car. Dealer has not seen. *ak
On saturday, may 12, 2012 i was pulling into a parking space at the post office. The car suddenly lurched forward at a high rate of speed and my brakes were non responsive, my car slammed into the curb. Had there been a pedestrian crossing the parking lot at that time, the results could have been fatal. *tr
1999 jaguar xj8. Consumer writes in regards to pedal being stuck to the floor when trying to accelerate. *ld the consumer stated while driving in heavy traffic, the gas pedal stuck to the floor, almost causing an accident. The consumer had to physically pull the gas pedal up. The failure was due to an incorrectly installed stud that was missing it's kick down stick. The mechanic advised the stud was supposed to have a cover on it and that the stud was unnecessary. The mechanic offered to remove the stud, the consumer declined and placed a plastic bottle cap over the stud. *js
On 2/10/17 entering freeway i pressed the gas pedal to the floor. The gas pedal stuck,i barely avoided a major accident. I overheated my brakes,and managed to pull the pedal up by hand. The pedal had stuck on a medal stud mounted in the floor under the gas pedal.the jaguar dealer said there was suppose to be a kickdown switch on the stud. I purchased a switch,but i would not fit on the stud. I put a plastic bottlecap over the stud.please check your vehicle..jaguar does not seem to care.
My car cuts off, after driving on the interstate at a high rat of speed, mostly happens as i'm turning off the highway, also my cruise control does not function.
The first time it happened as i was driving the car on the highway approximately 60 mph, suddenly without any warning the engine stopped running, fortunately i was driving the car in the right line, i stopped on the shoulder and restarted the engine, after several attempts the car did start and i drove home, i made a appointment with the local dealer,they found no problem at that time,but they did tell me that there was a recall on some vin# for the same problem but my car was not part of the recall, now i can't drive the car because very often happens the same scenario,the engine just quits some times will start immediately an at times will not start for several hours. Currently the car is at jaguar service facility,they are telling me that i need a throttle body the same part that is being recalled on other vehicle identification numbers. *jb
My 1998 xj8vdp jaguar has repeatedly stalled at speeds of 65-70 mph on the highway. Dealer has cleaned the throttle body without success. This is extremely dangerous, and my wife now feels insecure in this vehicle. Jag needs to stand behind their product and fix this problem.*ak
While driving at any speed and without warning, the accelerator will stick. Causing vehicle to accelerate faster or stick at the gear it is on. Dealer has been notified. *ak consumer states that he is the origional owner of this vehicle. And is concerned that a safety hazard may occur. Consumer shows proof on the attached form that the dealership/serv dept. Will not help resolve. Consumer feels that jaguar are and should be responsible for this matter. *scc
Engine And Engine Cooling 13 Read
Vehicle stalls and goes into a engine fail safe mode randomly. This is very dangerous since when it goes in this mode it reduces power to the engine leaving the driver stuck to try to get off the road. There has been a problem with jaguar throttle bodies on this model that they were suppose to have fixed by the time they made the 2000 model but i think it is still a problem. There was a recall on models up to 1999 to get the throttle bodies replaced. It should have included 2000 as well. *tr
There exists a condition with the secondary timing chain tensioner in 2000 jaguar xj8, vanden plas, or xk8 models that can and does lead to catastrophic engine failure. To date jaguar does not admit that this is a serious design flaw and safety issue. There are no recalls or even a service bulletin on this however failures are documented on the jaguar club of north america and possibly others have been quietly fixed by jaguar. This plastic tensioner can fail upon start-up, as it did in my case, or in the worst scenario it can happen at speed. The plastic housing of the tensioner simply fails resulting in the timing belt breaking and or jumping off. Without any warning the result at speed is sudden and complete engine failure, which can lead to an extremely dangerous driving condition. At startup the result is the inability to start the engine stranding the driver wherever the car has stopped. In my case the failure occurred on startup, breaking the timing chain, and resulting in a $2000 repair. The car was a 2000 vanden plas, vin [xxx], with 42,067 miles and failed without any previous noise or indication. Upon engine tear down to repair there was no apparent sign of excessive wear or any oil sludge. The failed tensioner plastic housing simply broke. The other good tensioner had a clearly visible crack in the plastic housing and indeed would have also failed. I have the failed parts. Replaced was: secondary chain, both chain tensioners, boss seal, 2 timing seals, and 2 cam gaskets. (failure at speed requires complete engine replacement.) pictures are shown below.*ak updated 07/26/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
The engine will stall randomly. This happens at low speed or when i stop at an intersection. It has also stalled when making a turn and narrowly avoided an accident. It only happens randomly and there is no pattern to when it will happen.
At 37,092 the thermostat froze, blowing the radiator hose. At 52,058 another thermostat froze, blowing the radiator. Was told by jaguar service that these freeze, and i should bring my jaguar in every 16,000 miles just to be certain. When radiator hose blows, no telling where we might be and situation could be dangerous. *nm
While driving timing chain failed, causing the engine to blow, and had complete loss of power, including no steering and brakes. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. Also, contacted the manufacturer. Neither were willing to assist consumer. *ak
The engine stalled without warning, which made the vehicle difficult to control. *jb
Engine stalls at any speeds with no advance warning. Power steering and power brakes are therefore also inoperable. Vehicle must be coasted in this condition to a stop and put in "park" before it will restart. This obviously is a life-threatening maneuver in multiple lanes of 70 mph specially when my wife and kids are in the car. *tr
The consumer was driving on the interstate at approximately 70 mph when suddenly the vehicle stalled. The consumer lost control over steering and brakes. This was due to the plastic part in the timing belt, which caused the timing chain to come off. There were no injuries. *ak *sc *jb
1998 jaguar van dan plas has a severe defect. Car stalls while driving and engine looses all power. Also the drive belt shuts down after computer chip failure causing over heating and discharging of battery. Even after replacement of the chip, the same occurs after some miles. Left headlight keeps on burning out. *nlm
Engine will shut off while driving. This problem has happened to my wife and myself while driving many times (>20) but fortunately most of the times she was on city streets where it wasn't much of a problem to get over to the side of the road. The greatest problems have occurred while my wife was driving at speed limit (65 mph) on freeways in the fast lanes. This caused her to almost be involved in a traffic accident as she tried to pull over to the side of the road with no power in heavy traffic conditions. I think this is a major safety issue. According to the dealership (bauer jaguar in santa ana, ca), the problem is caused by a closure of the throttle body plate when the unit goes into a self-cleaning mode. The dealership has made a change in throttle body plate stop so that it will not close all the way when it goes into this self-cleaning mode. The problem has not occurred again since the dealership applied this change but i have a greater concern for other people who might encounter this problem in the future. *jb
Service Brakes 4 Read
On saturday, may 12, 2012 i was pulling into a parking space at the post office. The car suddenly lurched forward at a high rate of speed and my brakes were non responsive, my car slammed into the curb. Had there been a pedestrian crossing the parking lot at that time, the results could have been fatal. *tr
Engine stalls at any speeds with no advance warning. Power steering and power brakes are therefore also inoperable. Vehicle must be coasted in this condition to a stop and put in "park" before it will restart. This obviously is a life-threatening maneuver in multiple lanes of 70 mph specially when my wife and kids are in the car. *tr
Auto-tran: when coming to stop, vehicle will take off; engine surges forward with brakes applied; happened four times within 3 months; less than 5 mph. Tt
Brake pedal safety override failed.
Power Train 4 Read
My car cuts off, after driving on the interstate at a high rat of speed, mostly happens as i'm turning off the highway, also my cruise control does not function.
1998 jaguar van dan plas has a severe defect. Car stalls while driving and engine looses all power. Also the drive belt shuts down after computer chip failure causing over heating and discharging of battery. Even after replacement of the chip, the same occurs after some miles. Left headlight keeps on burning out. *nlm
Transmission failed.
Automatic gear lever stuck in park position. *skd
Electrical System 3 Read
Our jaguar key is unique from other keys in that it is cylindrical with small nubs sticking out. We never have more than the single key on a key ring, so there's never excess weight on the key while it's inserted, because we don't have keys in our life. Due to where we live we don't lock our house, so no keys are necessary. The jaguar is my wife's car, she's tall, but i'm very tall at 6'4", so my knee is higher than hers when i'm driving her car. On a regular basis when i'm driving her car, if my knee moves over and touches the ignition key, frequently the car will suddenly shut off. It usually happens when i'm taking a left at a traffic light, so when that happens i lose all power control of the car, the car stops suddenly without me hitting the brakes, so hopefully the guy behind me stops in time even though my brake lights don't light, and it always presents and extremely hazardous and dangerous situation. What would happen if it shut off on me at 70 mph? I assumed it was the quirky reputation of jaguars, but now after learning about gm's issue with heavy key chains, i see that our issue is somewhat similar not because of heavy key chains, but because of what could be a design flaw of the barrel-shaped jaguar key not being very robust in maintaining contact within the ignition switch housing. I called jaguar usa more than 2 weeks ago, they promised they would get back to me within 48 hours about taking it to a dealer to get it fixed, but they haven't contacted me. I can't be the only one this is happening to with this jag key design. In general i'm very happy with jaguar, we've owned 5 now between me and my wife, but this is potentially very dangerous and seems to me to be a design issue. I've contacted jag, they haven't followed through, so now i'm doing what's more important anyway to make sure this doesn't happen to others, so i'm contacting you. *tr
Engine stalls at any speeds with no advance warning. Power steering and power brakes are therefore also inoperable. Vehicle must be coasted in this condition to a stop and put in "park" before it will restart. This obviously is a life-threatening maneuver in multiple lanes of 70 mph specially when my wife and kids are in the car. *tr
Computer chip failure. Qcaw
Hydraulic 3 Read
Engine stalls at any speeds with no advance warning. Power steering and power brakes are therefore also inoperable. Vehicle must be coasted in this condition to a stop and put in "park" before it will restart. This obviously is a life-threatening maneuver in multiple lanes of 70 mph specially when my wife and kids are in the car. *tr
Auto-tran: when coming to stop, vehicle will take off; engine surges forward with brakes applied; happened four times within 3 months; less than 5 mph. Tt
Brake pedal safety override failed.
Seat Belts 3 Read
Right rear bracket that holds the drivers seat to the mounting track broke. This allowed the drivers seat to swing back on acceleration and swing forward, into steering wheel, when applying the brakes. The seat would swivel around on the three remaining attach points. This occurred during normal driving. If this had happened as a resujlt of a rear end collision, it is likely that the entire seat would have torn loose and become an unguided flying object in the car. Given that the seat belt is attached to the seat frame rather than the car's frame, it would have provided no protection. If the airbag were to have deployed, the force of it would also have knocked the seat, cocked at an angle and with the driver strapped in it, across the back of the car and into any passenger sitting back there. I have detailed photos on the broken bracket and the frame mounting from which it separated.
The automatic (passive) belt reel has locked up and is stuck on the driver side. The passenger side automatic (passive) belt reel is also declining. The vehicle was taken to a jaguar dealership in newport beach, ca on february 23, 2009, but they are unable to obtain the parts to repair and indicate they are unsure if parts will ever be received. *tr
I have a malfunctioning seatbelt in a 1990 jaguar xj6 (van den plas). Seatbelt repair is warranted for the life of the vehicle. However, the local jaguar dealer has indicated that the part required is not available and has twice indicated there is "no eta" on its arrival. I am thus driving around unsafely and the dealer is telling me that the manufacturer cannot reliably provide the part except for at some unknown time in the future. Not only is this unsafe but i live in a state where it is against the law to drive without a seatbelt. I am hoping some pressure can be brought to bear on the manufactures delinquency before i get maimed in an accident due to a seat belt warranty that is de facto not a warranty at all. I have a malfunction in the passenger side seatbelt that is not covered under warranty and it is no problem to get that part, in fact i can have it the next day. It is more than a little suspicious, and thus worthy of the attention of the dot, that the life threatening parts that cost the customer money are available next day but the parts which are to be provided by the company/dealer under warranty are not available at any price. *tr
Steering 3 Read
Vehicle failure due to failed wire strands. Add to voq 10041323.*mr of seven strands it appeared that four or five may have been "trimmed" during manufacturing process leaving two or three strands to carry the current. Adjacent wires show damage from heat. On two wires the insulation is cracked sufficiently so that the wire strands are visible. Consumer believe the repair should've been at no charge due to defective product and perhaps design by placement of the wire crimp at point of flexure. *ph
Power steering pump seal broke and caused pump to leak. Dealer notified, and replaced the pump. *ak consumer states the leak was at the pinion shaft oil seal. *yd
Rack/pinion problems. *dh
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Jaguar Vanden Plas specifications & dimensions
The 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Jaguar Vanden Plas window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Jaguar Vanden Plas cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Vanden Plas holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Jaguar Vanden Plas tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Jaguar Vanden Plas get?
The Jaguar Vanden Plas returns up to 18 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,300/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1997 Jaguar Vanden Plas (4L 6-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $4,300/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $10,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Vanden Plas | 15 | 21 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 4L 6-cyl | |
| 1996 Vanden Plas | 15 | 21 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 4L 6-cyl |
The 2003 Jaguar Vanden Plas (4L 8-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $4,300/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $10,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Vanden Plas | 15 | 22 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 2002 Vanden Plas | 15 | 22 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 2001 Vanden Plas | 15 | 22 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 2000 Vanden Plas | 15 | 22 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 1999 Vanden Plas | 15 | 22 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 1998 Vanden Plas | 15 | 22 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 4L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Vanden Plas stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Vanden Plas's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Jaguar Vanden Plas have? Power & range
The Jaguar Vanden Plas is offered with 2 powertrains — 4L 6-cyl, 4L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 4.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
| V8 | 4.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Jaguar Vanden Plas cost to own?
A Jaguar Vanden Plas tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used Vanden Plas is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Vanden Plas loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $21,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Vanden Plas ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Jaguar Vanden Plas safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Vanden Plas yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Jaguar Vanden Plas last?
A well-maintained Jaguar Vanden Plas typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Jaguar Vanden Plas’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Vanden Plas’s VIN free →All Jaguar Vanden Plas model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Jaguar Vanden Plas — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Vanden Plas | 0 | — | |
| 2003 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 2002 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 2001 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 2000 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 1999 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 1998 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 1997 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 1996 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 1995 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 1994 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 1993 Vanden Plas | 1 recall | — | |
| 1992 Vanden Plas | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1991 Vanden Plas | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1990 Vanden Plas | 3 recalls | — | |
| 1989 Vanden Plas | 3 recalls | — | |
| 1988 Vanden Plas | 4 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Vanden Plas?
By owner-complaint volume, 1998, 1999, 1996 drew the most reports. 1992, 1993, 2002 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Vanden Plas have?
25 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1988–2004. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Vanden Plas get?
Up to 18 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Vanden Plas last?
A well-maintained Vanden Plas typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Vanden Plas reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Vanden Plas is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Jaguar Vanden Plas warranty?
New Jaguar models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Jaguar dealer.
Where is the Jaguar Vanden Plas made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Vanden Plas's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Jaguar may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Vanden Plas have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.