1985 Jaguar XJS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 3 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 33.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
1995: 1; 2005: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10118713 · 2005-04-29 (April 29, 2005)
ENGINE FIRE, BURNT SEVERAL ITEMS ON ENGINE, REPLACED WITH USED PARTS, ENGINE FIRE A SECOND TIME, REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125592 · 2005-06-17 (June 17, 2005)
THIS 1985 JAGUAR HAD AN ENGINE FIRE WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER, PARTS WERE REPLACED AND THE CAR HAD A SECOND ENGINE FIRE IN MY GARAGE, I HAVE REPLACED THE PARTS AGAIN. THE FIRE STARTS IN THE FUEL RACK AREA.I HAVE SOME OF THE OLD PARTS THAT WERE BURNT. THANK YOU
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971820 · 1995-09-08 (September 8, 1995)
RECEIVED RECALL FOR FUEL TANK, HAD TWO INCHES OF GAS IN TRUNK, DEALER WOULD NOT DO RECALL WORK. PRESTON JAGUAR YORK, PA [phone removed]. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971820 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V087000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 1985-07-03 (July 3, 1985)
POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF THE HOSE/CLIP FITTINGS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, WITH FUEL LEAKAGE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE OR THE DESTRUCTION OF IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR CAP.
Remedy: A NEW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE FUEL HOSE CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V035000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1990-02-20 (February 20, 1990)
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V123000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1990-07-02 (July 2, 1990)
EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗