Model year guide

1988 Jaguar XJ6

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Jaguar XJ6 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

1988 Jaguar XJ6 — representative photo
Representative photo

1988 Jaguar XJ6 at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints13
Combined18–19 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Jaguar XJ6 recalls 4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #90V023000 · 08/02/1990

HIGH PRESSURE FLUID SUPPLY HOSE COULD RUPTURE CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID OF THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM.

Fix: INSTALL NEW POWER HYDRAULIC HOSE OF A DIFFERENT SPECIFICATION.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #90V024000 · 08/02/1990

BRAKE ACCUMULATOR SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS HYDRAULIC FLUID FLOW TO AND FROM THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP, COULD LEAK, CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID IN THE POWER BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM. THIS LEAK IS ALSO IN THE VICINITY OF ELECTRICAL WIRING.

Fix: REPLACE BRAKE ACCUMULATOR SWITCHES WITH REVISED SEALS.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs NHTSA Campaign #88V018000 · 12/02/1988

CERTAIN FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER SPRING PAN FIXINGS MAY FAIL DUE TO STRESS CORROSION.

Fix: INSTALL REVISED SPECIFICATION FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING PAN FIXINGS.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights NHTSA Campaign #87V105000 · 15/07/1987

CRUISE CONTROL MAY FAIL TO DISENGAGE IN A NORMAL MANNER UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS MAY FAIL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF BRAKE LAMP MICROSWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Fix: INSTALL A MODIFIED MICROSWITCH IN ALL VEHICLES.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1988 Jaguar XJ6 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

1988 Jaguar XJ6 MPG & running costs

Combined18–19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,025
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,125 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1988 Jaguar XJ6 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,125
Fuel only$20,125
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
196.5 in
Width
79.5 in
Height
53.5 in
Wheelbase
113.0 in
Curb weight
3,902 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Jaguar XJ6. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 3

PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #PE93042 · Seat Belts · opened May 1993 · closed Nov 1993

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL Closed

NHTSA #EA90004 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Oct 1989 · closed Jun 1990

ABS FAILURE Closed

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NHTSA #PE89153 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Aug 1989 · closed Oct 1989

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 12

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 12.

Attachment.

Bulletin SSM59597Attachme · Electrical System · Apr 2021

Attachment.

Bulletin SSM59597Attachme · Electrical System · Apr 2021

Attachment.

Bulletin SSM59597Attachme · Electrical System · Apr 2021

A customer may report "Hood Open" message displays on IP with hood closed.

Bulletin SFCC_09AUG18_REV · Electrical System · Aug 2018

SIM card activation issues

Bulletin SFCC_09AUG18_REV · Equipment · Aug 2018

InControl Touch Pro phase 4 customer letter

Bulletin SFCC_09AUG18_REV · Equipment · Aug 2018

18C - New face of InControl Touch Pro and 18C software improvements

Bulletin SFCC_09AUG18_REV · Electrical System · Aug 2018

Jaguar Land Rover Shop Foreman Conference Call

Bulletin SFCC_08MAR18 · Equipment · Mar 2018

Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call

Bulletin SFCC_14DEC17 · Equipment · Dec 2017

Mongoose Update.

Bulletin SSM62038Attachme · Electrical System · Dec 2012

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the XJ6. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Jaguar XJ6. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Brakes

THE POWER BRAKE ACCUMULATOR SWITCHES, WHICH CONTROL THE FLOW OF FLUID TO AND FROM THE HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATOR, MAY FAIL DUE TO AN INTERRUPTION OF ELECTRICAL POWER THEREBY PREVENTING THE POWER ASSIST FEATURE OF THE BRAKES FROM RECHARGING. THIS COULD RESULT IN DECREASED BRAKING EFFICIENCY AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH WHERE MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCES ARE REQUIRED. CORRECTION: BRAKE…

Transport Canada #1990033 · Feb 1990

Brakes

THE POWER BRAKE HIGH PRESSURE SUPPLY HOSE MAY RUPTURE, CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID AND CONSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER BOOST WITH AN ADDED RISK OF AN UNDERHOOD FIRE DUE TO EXPELLED FLUID IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CORRECTION: POWER BRAKE HYDRAULIC HOSE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Transport Canada #1990032 · Feb 1990

Suspension

FAILURE OF CERTAIN FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER SPRING PAN FIXING BOLTS DUE TO STRESS CORROSION WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SUSPENSION TO SETTLE ONTO THE BUMP STOP ON ONE SIDE. CORRECTION: FRONT SUSPENSION FIXING PAN SPRING BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED.

Transport Canada #1988018 · Feb 1988

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

1988 Jaguar XJ6 vehicles on record

1988 Jaguar XJ6 1988 Jaguar XJ6SAJJHALH4AA540560 1988 Jaguar XJ6 1988 Jaguar XJ6SAJJHALD4AK596770 1988 Jaguar XJ6 1988 Jaguar XJ6SAJDKALH4AA549128 1988 Jaguar XJ6 1988 Jaguar XJ6SAJJFALJ4AA510953

Other Jaguar XJ6 model years

2014 2005 2004 2003 1997 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1987 1986 1985 1984 1982

1988 Jaguar XJ6 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Jaguar XJ6 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1988 Jaguar XJ6. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Jaguar XJ6?

Across all 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Jaguar XJ6 get?

The 1988 Jaguar XJ6 has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.