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Jaguar XJ VIN Check

NHTSA holds 51 owner complaints on the Jaguar XJ from 44 production runs; the worst run has 3, the typical one 1.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 51 complaints · 44 runs · 2003–2019 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported XJ run is SAJWA1CB2BL (2011 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.5× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 17% of reports; 2006 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for XJ model years 2004–2019.

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 XJ has 44 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 24% of every XJ complaint on file.

FIG.01·Jaguar XJ — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
SAJWA1CB2BL••••••201131—
SAJWA79B86S••••••20063——
SAJWA1CB6BL••••••20112——
SAJWA73B04T••••••20042——
SAJWA79B18S••••••20082——
SAJEA74C74S••••••20041——
SAJWA1C7XK8••••••20191——
SAJEA73B64T••••••20041——
SAJWA71C04S••••••20041——
SAJEA71C94S••••••20041——
SAJWA71C74S••••••20041——
SAJWA73B25T••••••20051——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 32 XJ runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 37 XJ VINs so far, most often 2016, 2019, 2017 builds.

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 XJ the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 2006 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 2005 one 1.

FIG.02·Jaguar XJ — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20111.216132
20081.2651
2007133—
20061.31081
2005144—
20041.1109—
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2006 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2005 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 17% of everything Jaguar XJ owners report: Service Brakes, 9 of 51 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Jaguar XJ — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Service Brakes91—
Hydraulic71—
Vehicle Speed Control7——
Electrical System72—
Engine7——
Suspension6——
Engine And Engine Cooling5——
Power Train51—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 18 recall campaigns on the Jaguar XJ; the 6 below cover build years 2010 to 2017. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Jaguar XJ — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
20V557000Air Bags:frontal2010–2017
17V678000Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel2016–2017
16V943000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2016–2017
14V741000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2014–2015
14V157000Suspension:rear2013–2014
10V578000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer2010–2011
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

20V557000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2010: 10 years on the road before the recall.

The XJ against its rivals

The XJ draws 1.2 complaints per production run; the Lincoln Continental 2.6, the Cadillac CT6 1.2 and the Cadillac XTS 1.6. That is the lowest rate of the 4.

FIG.05·Jaguar XJ VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Jaguar XJ51441.27.8%
Lincoln Continental1,3445212.64.2%
Cadillac CT675611.26.7%
Cadillac XTS2001291.62%
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 51 reports on the Jaguar XJ, 7.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Jaguar XJ — complaint severity
OutcomeJaguar XJAll vehicles
Complaints filed511,115,966
Involved a crash4 (7.8%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire0 (0%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported258,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 34% 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 XJ share of that is 51 complaints over 44 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Jaguar XJ
Recalls44 campaignsFuel economy21 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems134 complaintsCargo space18 cu ftUsed prices281 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2002–2019

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Jaguar XJ VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 51 NHTSA complaints from 44 XJ runs and 18 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which XJ production run has the most complaints?

SAJWA1CB2BL, a 2011 build, with 3 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical XJ run has 1.2.

Which XJ years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2006 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 2005 lightest at 1.

Does the XJ get more complaints than the Lincoln Continental?

No: 1.2 complaints per production run for the XJ against 2.6 for the Lincoln Continental.

How many XJ complaints involve a crash?

7.8% of 51 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 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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