Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1985 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 ↗FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:TANK
- 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.
EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL
- 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.
FUEL:FUEL INJECTION:UNKNOWN TYPE:LINE:HOSE
- 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.
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 (4)
4 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 4 | 100% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 25% |
How 1985 compares with other XJS years
Best and worst XJS years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 1 | 6 |
| 1983 | 1 | 4 |
| 1984 | 2 | 3 |
| 1985 | 4 | 3 |
| 1986 | 2 | 4 |
| 1987 | 1 | 6 |
| 1988 | 7 | 4 |
| 1989 | 14 | 4 |
| 1990 | 15 | 3 |
| 1991 | 8 | 1 |
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.
Fuel economy: up to 13 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $5,150
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 684 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 13 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L 12-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 16 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1985 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.
Where to next
1985 Jaguar XJS FAQ
How many recalls does the 1985 Jaguar XJS have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 90V123000 (fuel system), 90V035000 (vehicle speed control), 85V087000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1985 Jaguar XJS problems?
Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (4), Electrical system (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1985 Jaguar XJS get?
EPA rates the 5.3 L 12-cyl · 3-speed automatic version at 11 city, 16 highway and 13 combined mpg.
How does the 1985 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 1985 drew 4. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
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.