1985 Jaguar xjs
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Jaguar xjs is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1985 Jaguar xjs at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1985 Jaguar xjs recalls 3
EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.
Fix: INSTALL A REVISED FUEL PURGE SYSTEM WHICH ELIMINATES EXCESSIVE VAPOR PRESSURE BUILD-UP.
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.
Fix: REPLACE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR AND INSTALL ADDITIONAL VACUUM DUMP VALVE.
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.
Fix: A NEW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE FUEL HOSE CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
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.
1985 Jaguar xjs common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1985 Jaguar xjs MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1985 Jaguar xjs costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE Closed
NHTSA #PE90060 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Mar 1990 · closed Sep 1990An 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 2021Attachment.
Bulletin SSM59597Attachme · Electrical System · Apr 2021Attachment.
Bulletin SSM59597Attachme · Electrical System · Apr 2021A customer may report "Hood Open" message displays on IP with hood closed.
Bulletin SFCC_09AUG18_REV · Electrical System · Aug 2018SIM card activation issues
Bulletin SFCC_09AUG18_REV · Equipment · Aug 2018InControl Touch Pro phase 4 customer letter
Bulletin SFCC_09AUG18_REV · Equipment · Aug 201818C - New face of InControl Touch Pro and 18C software improvements
Bulletin SFCC_09AUG18_REV · Electrical System · Aug 2018Jaguar Land Rover Shop Foreman Conference Call
Bulletin SFCC_08MAR18 · Equipment · Mar 2018Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call
Bulletin SFCC_14DEC17 · Equipment · Dec 2017Mongoose Update.
Bulletin SSM62038Attachme · Electrical System · Dec 2012Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the XJS. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1985 Jaguar xjs. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
NOTE: 1978-90 MODELS EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOUR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR SUCH THAT A WEAKENING OF THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED FUEL PURGE SYSTEM WHICH ELIMINATES EXCESSIVE VAPOUR PRESSURE BUILD-UP.
Transport Canada #1990114 · Jul 1990Engine
XJ-S 1982-90 XJ12/VANDEN PLAS 1980-90 DIRT INGRESS MAY CAUSE THE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR TO MALFUNCTION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL FAIL TO DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL. CORRECTION: CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR OPERATION WILL BE CHECKED AND AN ADDITIONAL VACUUM DUMP WILL…
Transport Canada #1990034 · Feb 1990Fuel System
V.I.N. XJ12 - 310613 TO 431598 XJS - 104146 TO 125224 A POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.
Transport Canada #1985080 · Jul 1985Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Jaguar xjs
The Jaguar XJ-S is a luxury grand tourer manufactured and marketed by British car manufacturer Jaguar Cars from 1975 to 1996, in coupé, fixed-profile and full convertible bodystyles. There were three distinct iterations, with a total production of 115,413 units over 20 years and 7 months.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.