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Jaguar XJSModel year report

1988 Jaguar XJS Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
43,001miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 5.3L 12-cyl RWD · 11 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Jaguar XJS (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1988 Jaguar XJS. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by seat belts (3). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 43,001 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the tank assembly filed under the same part. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “I was parked in a small strip center. I had just left the barber shop and I took note of all the kids in the parking lot and a SUV parked nearby. I turned on the engine of my 1988 xjsc Jaguar, engine sound seemed normal. I then turned my head to view the rear and proceeded to move in reverse, but as I lifted my foot off the brake, the car suddenly accelerated in a violent manner on its own. The car moved approximately 20 feet in seconds and I found myself going backwards for no logical reason. …”

NHTSA complaint #10226725, filed 2008-05, 44,000 miles

Seat belts: “The driver's side seat belt mechanism (automatic seat belts) on my 1988 Jaguar xj6 coupe are not working. Jaguar claims a lifetime warranty. However the parts are on national back order according to my dealer. This is a safety issue if I choose to drive my car, possibly a traffic violation as well. Jaguar seems unable/unwilling to honor its warranty, giving in the words of a fellow Jaguar owner a song and dance .”

NHTSA complaint #10288542, filed 2009-10

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 42,002 and 44,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2575%25–5025%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 43,001 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20021200812009120101201112014120191
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1988 Jaguar XJS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
XJ-S RWD5.3L 12-cyl3-speed automatic111613$5,150
XJ-SC RWD5.3L 12-cyl3-speed automatic111613$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1988 Jaguar XJS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 14 bulletins →

Other model years of the Jaguar XJS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
1996744,3000—18—Not enough data
1995656,8900—18—Not enough data
19946—0—17—Not enough data
19918—1—14—Not enough data
199015152,0003—14—Stable
19891470,8314—13—Not enough data
1988743,0014—13—Not enough data

All Jaguar XJS model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Jaguar XJS have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1988 Jaguar XJS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1988 Jaguar XJS is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.

Has the 1988 Jaguar XJS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Jaguar XJS get?

The EPA rates the 1988 Jaguar XJS (XJ-S, 5.3L 12-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Jaguar XJS reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 43,001 miles and the middle half falls between 42,002 and 44,000 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.