Jaguar XJ Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Jaguar XJ model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1995 drew the fewest (1) and the 2005 the most (19).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 12 |
| 1997 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Power train | — | 18 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Engine | — | 18–21 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | Power train | — | 18–21 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
| 2017 | 2 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 18–21 |
| 2007 | 4 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 19 |
| 2008 | 7 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 19 |
| 2012 | 7 | 0 | Engine | — | 17–19 |
| 2015 | 7 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | 18–21 |
| 2013 | 8 | 3 | Engine | — | 18–21 |
| 2016 | 8 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | 18–21 |
| 1998 | 11 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
| 2014 | 12 | 2 | Engine | — | 18–21 |
| 2004 | 13 | 3 | Vehicle speed control | — | 19 |
| 2000 | 17 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
17 | 3 | Fuel system | — | 19 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
18 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 17–19 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
19 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Jaguar XJ years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2005 Jaguar XJ: 19 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 4 (21%); Exterior lighting 3 (16%); Power train 3 (16%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,050 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Jaguar XJ: 18 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 7 (39%); Engine 6 (33%); Air bags 3 (17%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 84,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Jaguar XJ: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 6 (35%); Fuel/propulsion system 3 (18%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (12%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,170 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Jaguar XJ years with the fewest complaints
1995 Jaguar XJ: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 1 (100%).
1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Jaguar XJ owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 84,000 |
| 2008 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 68,170 |
| 2005 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36,050 |
| 2004 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 42,909 |
| 1998 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Jaguar XJ recalls
- JAGUAR/FORWARD DRIVE GEAR (2004 model year; 31,731 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2004; 04V024000)
- UNDER FLOOR/REAR CROSS MEMBER BRAKE PIPE CORROSION (2004 model year; 14,551 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2009; 09V144000)
- Instrument Cluster Will Go Blank (2016–2017 model years; 7,036 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2017; 17V678000)
- VEHICLES WIPER ARM DURABILITY (2010–2011 model years; 6,475 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2010; 10V578000)
- FUEL TANK SEALS (2006–2007 model years; 6,199 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2006; 06V358000)
All 20 Jaguar XJ recall campaigns · Jaguar XJ problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Jaguar XJ years FAQ
Which Jaguar XJ year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1995 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Jaguar XJ years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2005, 2011 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine and engine cooling. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Jaguar XJ problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine and engine cooling (24 of 158 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Jaguar XJ have?
NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns covering the Jaguar XJ. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Jaguar XJ recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.