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Jaguar XJS VIN Check

NHTSA holds 72 owner complaints on the Jaguar XJS from 62 production runs; the worst run has 3, the typical one 1.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 72 complaints · 62 runs · 1982–2011 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported XJS run is SAJNV5848FC (1985 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.5× the typical run. Fuel system problems make up 31% of reports; 1996 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for XJS model years 1981–1996.

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 XJS has 62 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 15% of every XJS complaint on file.

FIG.01·Jaguar XJS — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
SAJNV5848FC••••••19853—2
SAJNW4844LC••••••19902——
SAJNX2743TC••••••19962——
SAJWA79C25S••••••20052——
SAJTW4847MC••••••19912——
SAJNY5843KC••••••19892—2
SAJNX2743SC••••••19952——
SAJNA5849KC••••••19892——
SAJWA73B85T••••••20051——
SAJWA82B25T••••••20051——
SAJNX2742TC••••••19961—1
SAJWA82B66S••••••20061——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 50 XJS 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 XJS the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 1996 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 1988 one 1.

FIG.02·Jaguar XJS — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2006155—
20051.276—
19961.354—
19951.265—
19941552
19911.354—
19901.187—
19891.2119—
19881661
ROWS 9·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 1996 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1988 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 31% of everything Jaguar XJS owners report: Fuel System, 24 of 72 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Jaguar XJS — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Fuel System2417
Gasoline21—6
Seat Belts8——
Power Train611
Electrical System6—2
Vehicle Speed Control5——
Engine And Engine Cooling4—1
Suspension41—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 13 recall campaigns on the Jaguar XJS; the 6 below cover build years 1981 to 1996. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Jaguar XJS — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
90V123000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly1981–1990
90V035000Vehicle Speed Control1982–1990
06E043000Fuel System, Gasoline1992–1996
85V087000Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail1982–1985
92V009000Electrical System:ignition1989–1991
93V179000Seat Belts1987–1989
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

90V123000 was opened in 1990 on cars built from 1981: 9 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 72 reports on the Jaguar XJS, 5.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Jaguar XJS — complaint severity
OutcomeJaguar XJSAll vehicles
Complaints filed721,115,966
Involved a crash4 (5.6%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire10 (13.9%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported458,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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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 XJS share of that is 72 complaints over 62 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.

Everything on the Jaguar XJS
Recalls46 campaignsFuel economy18 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems93 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space16 cu ftUsed prices89 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1981–1997

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Jaguar XJS VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 72 NHTSA complaints from 62 XJS runs and 13 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which XJS production run has the most complaints?

SAJNV5848FC, a 1985 build, with 3 complaints. The typical XJS run has 1.2.

Which XJS years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 1996 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 1988 lightest at 1.

How many XJS complaints involve a crash?

5.6% of 72 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 10 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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