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Research · Midsize Cars

1996 Jaguar Vanden PlasRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 6 owner complaints for the 1996 Jaguar Vanden Plas. Most complaints involve seat belts (1) and steering (1). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2006
Owner complaints
6
Top: seat belts
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 19, 2006NHTSA 06E043000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 1997 – May 2005
  1. Seat belts1
  2. Steering1
  3. Visibility1
  4. Vehicle speed control1
  5. Electrical system1
  6. Power train1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Vanden Plas model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19966
19971
199812
19996
20004
20011
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Seat belts

1 report
“RIGHT REAR BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE MOUNTING TRACK BROKE. THIS ALLOWED THE DRIVERS SEAT TO SWING BACK ON ACCELERATION AND SWING FORWARD, INTO STEERING WHEEL, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE SEAT WOULD SWIVEL AROUND ON THE THREE REMAINING ATTACH POINTS. THIS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AS A RESUJLT OF A REAR END COLLISION, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD HAVE TORN LOOSE AND BECOME AN UNGUIDED FLYING OBJECT IN THE CAR. GIVEN THAT THE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT FRAME RATHER THAN THE CAR'S FRAME, IT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED NO PROTECTION. IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO HAVE DEPLOYED, THE FORCE OF IT WOULD ALSO HAVE KNOCKED THE SEAT, COCKED AT AN ANGLE AND WITH THE DRIVER STRAPPED IN IT, ACROSS THE BACK OF THE CAR AND INTO ANY PASSENGER SITTING BACK THERE. I HAVE DETAILED PHOTOS ON THE BROKEN BRACKET AND THE FRAME MOUNTING FROM WHICH IT SEPARATED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2005Seat beltsODI 10122546

Steering

1 report
“VEHICLE FAILURE DUE TO FAILED WIRE STRANDS. ADD TO VOQ 10041323.*MR OF SEVEN STRANDS IT APPEARED THAT FOUR OR FIVE MAY HAVE BEEN "TRIMMED" DURING MANUFACTURING PROCESS LEAVING TWO OR THREE STRANDS TO CARRY THE CURRENT. ADJACENT WIRES SHOW DAMAGE FROM HEAT. ON TWO WIRES THE INSULATION IS CRACKED SUFFICIENTLY SO THAT THE WIRE STRANDS ARE VISIBLE. CONSUMER BELIEVE THE REPAIR SHOULD'VE BEEN AT NO CHARGE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND PERHAPS DESIGN BY PLACEMENT OF THE WIRE CRIMP AT POINT OF FLEXURE. *PH”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2003SteeringODI 10044462

Visibility

1 report
“VEHICLE1996 JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS VIN#[XXX] PROBLEMFAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER CAUSEBROKEN WIRE AT CRIMPED JUNCTION IN WIRING HARNESS THAT SUPPLIED POWER TO CONTROL SWITCH I HAD HOPED TO BE ABLE TO GET A PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF THE FAILED WIRE. OF THE SEVEN STRANDS IT APPEARS THAT 3 OR 4 MAY HAVE BEEN TRIMMED LEAVING 2 OR 3 STRANDS TO CARRY THE CURRENT. ADJACENT WIRES SHOW DAMAGE FROM HEAT. ON TWO WIRES THE INSULATION IS CRACKED SUFFICIENTLY SO THAT THE WIRE STRANDS ARE VISIBLE. THIS HARNESS IS SUBJECT TO VARIOUS DEGREES OF FLEXURE AS THE STEERING COLUMN LIFTS AND RETRACTS FROM THE PROGRAMMED DRIVERS POSITIONS. THE FAILURE WAS 2.1 [55 MM] FROM THE 10 PIN CONNECTOR THAT IS RIGIDLY CLIPPED IN PLACE. *JB *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2003VisibilityODI 10041323
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Vanden Plas
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$4,400523
  • Vanden Plas
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $4,400/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Jaguar Vanden Plas as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Vanden Plas questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Jaguar Vanden Plas have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Jaguar Vanden Plas problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (1), steering (1), visibility (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Jaguar Vanden Plas get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Jaguar Vanden Plas at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026