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Research · Minicompact Cars

1996 Jaguar XJSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints for the 1996 Jaguar XJS. Most complaints involve electrical system (2) and structure (2). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2006
Owner complaints
7
Top: electrical system
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 Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1997 – Aug 2004
  1. Electrical system2
  2. Structure2
  3. Vehicle speed control1
  4. Power train1
  5. Engine and engine cooling1

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 XJS model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

2 reports
“ADVISED ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS NOT AVAILABLE, LOCAL JAGUAR REPRESENTAIVE (DAVID BAMBER) NOTIFIED AND HE INDICATED HE WOULD LOCATE. AFTER TWO MONTHS I CALLED JAGUAR CUSTOMER SERVICE ON JUNE 26, 2002 1-800-452-4827, OPTION 9, EXT. 8264 (ROBERT BOSACK AND SUBJECT WAS ASSIGNED CASE #6182217. JULY 18, 2002 TALKED WITH MS ROMERO , SUPERVISOR IN CUSTOMER SERVICE, 1800-452-4827, OPTION 9 EXT 8089, NO NEW RESULTS. JULY 18, 2002 WROTE PRESIDENT MICHAEL O'DRISCOLL, JAGUAR, 555 MACARTHUR BLVD., MAHWAH, NJ 07430 ASKING FOR HELP. JULY 22, 2002 RECEIVED RESPONSE FROM MS NANCY SYNOL, EXECUTIVE LIAISON, BUT NO NEW ADVICE. FROM JULY 29, 2002 THROUGH OCT, 30, 2002 TALKED WITH CUST. SVS.REPS.- ONLY WORD WAS STILL TRYING TO OBTAIN PART. I HAVE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. IN MORE DETAIL AVAILABLE. DT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2002Electrical systemODI 769153

Structure

2 reports
“CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 1997StructureODI 526138

Vehicle speed control

1 report
“ACCELERATOR PEDAL JAMS IN UP POSITION. TO CLEAR ACCELERATOR PEDAL, DRIVER MUST TAP UPPER FACE OF THE PEDAL WITH THE BALL OF HIS FOOT. THE PEDAL WILL NOT JAM AGAIN UNLESS THE DRIVER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. TO UNJAM, REPEAT PROCEDURE ABOVE. NOTE WHEN ENGINE IS IN NEUTRAL OR TURNED OFF, THE PEDAL WORKS PERFECTLY. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2004Vehicle speed controlODI 10088722
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact 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 Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XJS Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$4,400494
  • XJS Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 XJS as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 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 XJS questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Jaguar XJS have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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 XJS problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (2), structure (2), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Jaguar XJS get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Jaguar XJS at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026