Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1983 Jaguar XJS: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1983 Jaguar XJS, most recently filed July 1990. Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1983 Jaguar XJS. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1983 Jaguar XJS. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 90V123000 Filed Jul 2, 1990

FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:TANK

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported35,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 90V123000
Listed for 1983 Jaguar XJS. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 90V035000 Filed Feb 20, 1990

EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported32,749 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 90V035000
Listed for 1983 Jaguar XJS. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 85V087000 Filed Jul 3, 1985

FUEL:FUEL INJECTION:UNKNOWN TYPE:LINE:HOSE

Fuel system, gasoline · fuel injection system · fuel rail
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported10,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 85V087000
Listed for 1983 Jaguar XJS. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 83V135000 Filed Dec 20, 1983

FUEL:FUEL INJECTION:UNKNOWN TYPE:LINE:HOSE

Fuel system, gasoline · fuel injection system · fuel rail
Official NHTSA text
Summary
FUEL LEAKAGE MAY DEVELOP AT THE TWO MAIN FUEL RAIL CONNECTIONS. DETERIORATION AT THESE TWO CONNECTIONS HAS BEEN TRACED TO A COMBINATION OF MISALIGNMENT OF THE TWO RAIL HALVES AND THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE CHANGES.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT TWO PIECE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW PART KIT OF SINGLE PIECE DESIGN.
Repair progress not yet reported3,500 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 83V135000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (1)

1 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
1involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1983 Jaguar XJS, by component (top 1). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1983 compares with other XJS years

Best and worst XJS years →
1 1 2 4 2 1 7 14 15 8
1982198319841985198619871988198919901991
This year (1983)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1983 XJS for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All XJS years

Where to next

1983 Jaguar XJS FAQ

How many recalls does the 1983 Jaguar XJS have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 90V123000 (fuel system), 90V035000 (vehicle speed control), 85V087000 (fuel system), 83V135000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1983 Jaguar XJS problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1983 XJS compare with other years?

Among the 1982–1991 Jaguar XJS model years at least five years old, the 1982 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1990 the most (15). The 1983 drew 1. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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