2017 Jaguar XJ Problems: 11 Known Issues

On the 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ, in certain XJ vehicles, the front passenger airbag initiator may fail to ignite. The airbag may then fail to deploy when required in a crash, increasing injury risk. Applies to: Certain 2016–2017 Jaguar XJ vehicles built September 12 through October 26, 2016, covered by recall 16V943 (Jaguar J080). The model year, engine or trim alone does not confirm inclusion.

On the 2010-2017 Jaguar XJ, a safety recall covering certain 2010-2011 and 2017 model year Jaguar XJ (X351) vehicles. When the car was connected to Jaguar Land Rover approved diagnostic equipment and a software update to the Restraints Control Module did not complete successfully, the RCM calibration could default to a pre-set condition rather than the correct one for the vehicle. In that state the frontal airbags still deploy in a frontal impact, but at impact thresholds above those required to provide the intended occupant protection — meaning the airbag may fire late or not at all in a crash severe enough to injure occupants. This is a dealer-service-induced defect rather than a wear item, so it can be present on a low-mileage, well-kept car, and the owner has no symptom to notice.

On the 2011-2019 Jaguar XJ 3.0L V6 diesel (306DT / AJ-V6D), owners of XJ 3.0D models describe sudden bottom-end failures: the oil pressure warning comes on, a knocking noise starts and the car goes into limp mode. In the reported cases a main or rod bearing had spun, or the crankshaft had snapped. Diesel engine rebuild specialists describe the same failure on this engine and link it to bearing shells that can move and block their oil feed. Applies to: Only XJ models with the 3.0-litre V6 diesel (306DT), sold as the XJ 3.0D outside North America. It does not apply to the 3.0 supercharged petrol V6 or the 5.0 V8. Owners report it on cars of different ages and mileages, including a 2016 XJ 3.0D Portfolio.

On the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ, owners of 5.0 supercharged V8 cars describe a whine or grinding noise from the supercharger that rises with engine speed, sounding like a worn wheel bearing, and in some cases play in the supercharger pulley. They trace it to worn bearings in the supercharger snout (nose), which owners describe as sealed and not serviceable. Jaguar's bulletin for 2010-2014 XJs tells technicians to replace the supercharger if the pulley feels rough when turned or there is excessive whine. This is a different fault from the supercharger isolator rattle. Applies to: Only XJ models with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 (XJ and XJL Supercharged, XJR, Supersport, XJR575). It does not apply to the 3.0 supercharged V6 or diesel models. Jaguar's bulletin covers 2010-2014 cars; reports on later years come from owners.

On the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ, owners on XJ (X351) forums describe engine oil leaking from the brake vacuum pump, which the engine drives at the front of the engine on the 3.0 supercharged V6 and 5.0 V8. Owners and specialist shops say the pump's seals degrade over time and let oil seep from the pump's mounting flange or body seam, leaving oil residue on the engine and drips underneath. One owner reports oil from the pump dripping onto the alternator. Applies to: Owner reports from 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351) with the 3.0 supercharged V6 or 5.0 V8, which includes the 2016 XJ R-Sport 3.0 supercharged V6. This is not a recall or bulletin; not every car leaks.

On the 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ, the virtual instrument cluster can intermittently go blank, removing displayed information and increasing crash risk. Applies to: North American 2016–2017 Jaguar XJ (X351) built at Castle Bromwich with VIN suffixes W03265–W12691, covered by recall 17V678 (Jaguar H056). A Jaguar dealer must confirm eligibility.

On the 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ, jaguar describes InControl Touch Pro problems on 2016-and-later XJs from VIN V90866: slow system start-up, a blank touch screen (and rear-seat screens if fitted), live apps not working, the navigation route lost at shutdown, and no satellite-radio audio at start-up. Jaguar says these may be caused by an Infotainment Master Controller (IMC) software issue. A later service action's software update targets system resets, blank screens, a frozen reverse-camera image, and media and Bluetooth problems. Applies to: 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ (X351) with InControl Touch Pro, North American market, VIN V90866 onwards, covered by bulletin JTB00496NAS2 (2016 onwards) and service action K437NAS1 (2016-2017). A Jaguar dealer must confirm whether the software has already been applied to a specific VIN.

On the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ, owners on XJ (X351) forums describe 'Air Suspension Fault' messages, a compressor that runs frequently or gets hot, and the car sitting low. Owners say the compressor itself is often not the root cause: a leaking air spring makes it run constantly until it wears out, and a sticking compressor relay can burn out a replacement compressor. Applies to: Owner reports from 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351), which includes the 2016 XJ R-Sport. This is not a recall or bulletin.

On the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ 3.0 V6 supercharged AJ126, owners on XJ (X351) forums with the 3.0 supercharged V6 describe coolant loss traced to the water pump (at its weep hole or the seal behind the pulley) or to plastic coolant pipes, including a crossover pipe, that sit underneath the supercharger. Owners note that the engine undertray can trap a slow leak and engine heat can evaporate it, so coolant may go missing without an obvious drip. Applies to: Owner reports from 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351) with the supercharged 3.0 V6, which includes the 2016 XJ R-Sport 3.0 supercharged V6. This is not a recall.

On the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ, owners on XJ (X351) forums report misting inside the LED tail lamps and, in some cars, water collecting in the bottom of the lamp. Owners say light misting can be normal, noting the owner manual addresses it, because the LEDs run too cool to dry the housing. Standing water is different: owners trace it to a leak, most often a hairline crack or opening along the welded seam between the clear and red sections of the lamp housing. Applies to: Owner reports from 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351), which includes the 2016 XJ R-Sport. This is not a recall or bulletin.

On the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ, owners on XJ (X351) forums describe one or both of the powered fabric sunblinds under the panoramic roof stopping partway, jamming, sagging or refusing to move, sometimes with a thumping, clicking or whirring motor. Owners point to broken plastic guide clips or the blind coming detached from its sliders, and in some cases a failed blind motor. Applies to: Owner reports from 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351) with the panoramic roof, which includes the 2016 XJ R-Sport when so equipped. This is not a recall or bulletin.