Research · Minicompact Cars

2012 Jaguar XKRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2012 Jaguar XK. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and engine (1). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2015
Owner complaints
2
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Jaguar XK vehicles manufactured March 4, 2011, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the front side lamps (parking lamps) may turn off after approximately 5 minutes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Jan 27, 2015NHTSA 15V038000

Electrical system

Free remedy

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 XK convertible vehicles manufactured October 1, 2010, through August 1, 2013. The switch in the overhead roof console also activates the power operated windows when the convertible roof is opening or closing. The switch does not move downward to close the windows. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Electrical systemReported Aug 5, 2013NHTSA 13V340000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2014 – Jun 2016
  1. Electrical system1
  2. Engine1

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 XK model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200730
20085
20092
20106
20113
20122
20132
20143
20152
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report
“A DEFECT EXISTS IN THE JAGUAR XK CONVERTIBLE, WHICH HAS REPEATEDLY AND UNPREDICTABLY PREVENTED THE JAGUAR FROM OPERATING, APPARENTLY IN CONNECTION WITH A CONCURRENT DRAINING OF THE CAR'S BATTERY. THE DEFECT RENDERS THE AUTOMOBILE UNABLE TO RELIABLY START AND DEPRIVES THE OWNER OF THE UTILITY OF THE VEHICLE. DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED BY JAGUAR'S AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THIS DEFECT ON EIGHT SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND REPLACING THE BATTERY AND BATTERY MONITOR MULTIPLE TIMES, THE DEFECT REMAINS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2016Electrical systemODI 10874250

Engine

1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JAGUAR XK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 8,000. THE PISTONS AND VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 04/16/14..UPDATED 06/23/14 *BF UPDATED 06/2014 *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2014EngineODI 10562333
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Engines
5.0L 8-cyl · 5.0L 8-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
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 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XK
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050468
XK Convertible
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$4,300494
XK
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,550523
XK Convertible
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,550523
  • XK
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • XK Convertible
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • XK
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L, Sup Charg
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • XK Convertible
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L, Sup Charg
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Jaguar XK as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 6116Vehicle 6115
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

2012 XK questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Jaguar XK have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 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 2012 Jaguar XK problems?

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

What MPG does the 2012 Jaguar XK get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Jaguar XK at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026