2016 Jaguar XJ Problems: 8 Known Issues
2016 model year · 2,200+ owner reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 2,200+ owner reports, the 2016 Jaguar XJ has 8 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Front passenger airbag may not deploy — recall J080 / 16V943 and Instrument cluster intermittently goes blank — recall H056 / 17V678. The most commonly reported issue is Air suspension fault or overworked compressor (owner reports) with 2,200 owner reports. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
2016 · R-Sport · 3.0 V6 supercharged AJ126
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All 8 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls7 recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain 2019 Jaguar F-Pace, F-Type, and XJ vehicles equipped with V6 or V8 gasoline engines. The crankshaft pulley retaining bolt may have been improperly manufactured, possibly causing the crankshaft pulley bolt to fracture, potentially resulting in engine failure.
AIR BAGS
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jaguar XJ vehicles manufactured July 2, 2014, to December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles may have an incorrect description of the operation of Occupant Sensor System (OSS) in the owner's manual. Since the manual does not correspond with the actual Air Bag Status Indicator Lamp, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Jaguar Land Rover North America (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jaguar XJ vehicles manufactured February 6, 2014, to July 23, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the brake line junctions under the vehicle may leak brake fluid.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain 2015 F-TYPE vehicles manufactured August 25, 2014, to September 12, 2014, 2015 XF vehicles manufactured September 3, 2014, to September 12, 2014, and 2015 XJ vehicles manufactured August 21, 2014, to September 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) belt, Power Assisted Steering (PAS) pump pulley and/or battery positive cable at the alternator may detach.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain 2010-2011 and 2017 XJ vehicles. The Restraint Control Module (RCM) software may cause the frontal air bags to deploy improperly in the event of a frontal impact crash.
+ 2 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Jaguar XJ problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 2,200+ owner reports, the 2016 Jaguar XJ has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Front passenger airbag may not deploy — recall J080 / 16V943, Instrument cluster intermittently goes blank — recall H056 / 17V678, Air suspension fault or overworked compressor (owner reports). Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Jaguar XJ reliable?
The 2016 Jaguar XJ has 8 known issues documented across 2,200+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Front passenger airbag may not deploy — recall J080 / 16V943 and Instrument cluster intermittently goes blank — recall H056 / 17V678. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
What is the 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ Front passenger airbag may not deploy — recall J080 / 16V943?
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. It affects certain 2016–2017 Jaguar XJ vehicles built September 12 through October 26, 2016, covered by recall 16V… Severity: high.
What is the 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ Instrument cluster intermittently goes blank — recall H056 / 17V678?
The virtual instrument cluster can intermittently go blank, removing displayed information and increasing crash risk. It affects North American 2016–2017 Jaguar XJ (X351) cars built at Castle Bromwich with VIN suffixes W03265–W12691, covered by recall 17V678 (Jaguar H056). A Jagu… Severity: high.
What is the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ Air suspension fault or overworked compressor (owner reports)?
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 sticki… Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ InControl Touch Pro blank screen or resets — bulletin JTB00496 / service action K437?
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 t… Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2019 Jaguar XJ Coolant leak from the water pump or pipes under the supercharger (owner reports)?
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 under… Severity: medium.
What is the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ Moisture or standing water inside the LED tail lamps (owner reports)?
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 dif… Severity: low.
What is the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ Oil leak from the brake vacuum pump (owner reports)?
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 mountin… Severity: low.
What is the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ Panoramic roof sunblind sticks or stops moving (owner reports)?
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 d… Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.