1987 Jaguar XJS
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Jaguar XJS is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1987 Jaguar XJS at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1987 Jaguar XJS recalls 6
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR.
Fix: INSTALL REVISED PURGE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
SEALS OF LOWER FUEL TANK GAUGE COULD FAIL CAUSING GAS TO LEAK INTO LOWER FUEL TANK CAVITY AND POSSIBLY INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Fix: REPLACE LOWER FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY TO UPGRADE FUEL SYSTEM TO CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS.
ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AND COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Fix: REROUTE HARNESS; IF CHAFED OR DAMAGED CONDITION WILL BE CORRECTED.
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.
1987 Jaguar XJS common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1987 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 1987 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.