Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1987 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 ↗INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:BELTS
- Summary
- THE NORMAL LOCKUP FUNCTION OF THE AUTOMATIC (PASSIVE) BELT REEL CAN CAUSE THE BELT MOTOR WINCH ASSEMBLY TO LOCKUP SUCH THAT THE PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM WILL NOT DEPLOY/FUNCTION OR GETS STUCK AT VARIOUS POINTS ALONG THE TRACK CAUSING THE KINKING OR BREAKING OF ITS CABLE OR DETACHMENT OF THE TONGUE.
- Consequence
- IF THIS OCCURS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE CANNOT USETHE SAFETY BELTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOPOR ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- JAGUAR WILL REPAIR THE PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS OR HAS OCCURRED. JAGUAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMATIC (PASSIVE) BELT SYSTEM.
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 EMISSION CONTROL
- Summary
- EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR.
- Consequence
- THIS CREATES FUEL ODORS AND AFTER PROLONGED CYCLINGCOULD CAUSE WEAKENING OF THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN FUELTANK LEAKS. IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
- Remedy
- INSTALL REVISED PURGE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:GAUGE:FUEL
- Summary
- SEALS OF LOWER FUEL TANK GAUGE COULD FAIL CAUSING GAS TO LEAK INTO LOWER FUEL TANK CAVITY AND POSSIBLY INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
- Consequence
- IGNITION OF GAS VAPORS WHICH MIGHT BE PRESENT COULDCAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
- Remedy
- REPLACE LOWER FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY TO UPGRADE FUEL SYSTEM TO CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:HARNESS:REAR COMPARTMENT
- Summary
- ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AND COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
- Consequence
- SHORT CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN A ELECTRICAL FIRE.
- Remedy
- REROUTE HARNESS; IF CHAFED OR DAMAGED CONDITION WILL BE CORRECTED.
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.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 1 | 100% |
How 1987 compares with other XJS years
Best and worst XJS years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1992 | 4 | 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 14 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 635 g/mi
- EPA class
- Two Seaters
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 14 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 | 12 / 16 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.3 L 12-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1987 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
1987 Jaguar XJS FAQ
How many recalls does the 1987 Jaguar XJS have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 93V179000 (seat belt), 90V123000 (fuel system), 90V035000 (vehicle speed control), 89V168000 (engine), 87V142000 (fuel system), 87V025000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1987 Jaguar XJS problems?
Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1987 Jaguar XJS get?
EPA rates the 5.3 L 12-cyl · 3-speed automatic version at 12 city, 16 highway and 14 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1987 XJS compare with other years?
Among the 1983–1992 Jaguar XJS model years at least five years old, the 1983 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1990 the most (15). The 1987 drew 1. 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.