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Jaguar Vanden Plas VIN Check

NHTSA holds 38 owner complaints on the Jaguar Vanden Plas from 34 production runs; the worst run has 2, the typical one 1.1.

NHTSA complaint records · 38 complaints · 34 runs · 1988–2004 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Vanden Plas run is SAJKX6045XC (1999 builds) with 2 complaints, 1.8× the typical run. Vehicle speed control problems make up 29% of reports; 1999 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for Vanden Plas model years 1988–2003.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Jaguar Vanden Plas has 34 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 24% of every Vanden Plas complaint on file.

FIG.01·Jaguar Vanden Plas — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
SAJKX6045XC••••••19992——
SAJKX1741SC••••••19952——
SAJKX6241WC••••••19982——
SAJKX6740TC••••••19962——
SAJEA74C14S••••••200411—
SAJKY1743LC••••••19901——
SAJKY1749LC••••••199011—
SAJKY1741MC••••••19911——
SAJKY1746MC••••••199111—
SAJKX1742RC••••••19941——
SAJKX1747SC••••••19951——
SAJKXG747TC••••••19961——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 22 Vanden Plas runs has 1 complaint or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Jaguar Vanden Plas the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 1999 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 1990 one 1.

FIG.02·Jaguar Vanden Plas — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20041331
2000133—
19991.3431
19981.198—
19961.265—
19951.343—
19901331
ROWS 7·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 1999 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1990 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 29% of everything Jaguar Vanden Plas owners report: Vehicle Speed Control, 10 of 38 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Jaguar Vanden Plas — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Vehicle Speed Control102—
Engine And Engine Cooling8——
Service Brakes4——
Seat Belts3——
Hydraulic3——
Electrical System3——
Air Bags21—
Steering2——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the Jaguar Vanden Plas; the 6 below cover build years 1988 to 2003. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Jaguar Vanden Plas — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
06E043000Fuel System, Gasoline1990–2003
93V179000Seat Belts1989–1992
90V024000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch1988–1989
90V023000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings1988–1989
89V235000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper1990
87V105000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights1988
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

The Vanden Plas against its rivals

The Vanden Plas draws 1.1 complaints per production run; the Cadillac Eldorado 1.4, the Cadillac Seville 1.9 and the Infiniti I35 5.1. That is the lowest rate of the 4.

FIG.05·Jaguar Vanden Plas VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Jaguar Vanden Plas38341.110.5%
Cadillac Eldorado1601171.43.1%
Cadillac Seville6493471.96.8%
Infiniti I35178355.16.7%
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 38 reports on the Jaguar Vanden Plas, 10.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Jaguar Vanden Plas — complaint severity
OutcomeJaguar Vanden PlasAll vehicles
Complaints filed381,115,966
Involved a crash4 (10.5%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire1 (2.6%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported458,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 81% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Jaguar Vanden Plas share of that is 38 complaints over 34 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Jaguar Vanden Plas
Recalls26 campaignsFuel economy18 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems49 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space13 cu ftWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1988–2004

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Jaguar Vanden Plas VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 38 NHTSA complaints from 34 Vanden Plas runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Vanden Plas production run has the most complaints?

SAJKX6045XC, a 1999 build, with 2 complaints. The typical Vanden Plas run has 1.1.

Which Vanden Plas years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 1999 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 1990 lightest at 1.

Does the Vanden Plas get more complaints than the Cadillac Eldorado?

No: 1.1 complaints per production run for the Vanden Plas against 1.4 for the Cadillac Eldorado.

How many Vanden Plas complaints involve a crash?

10.5% of 38 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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