2014 Jaguar XJ Problems: 6 Known Issues

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. These owner reports come from 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351) cars, including the 2016 XJ R-Sport. This is not a recall; Jaguar technical bulletin JTB00438NAS1 covers X351 cars where the air suspension warning comes on because the compressor electrical connector and compressor are damaged.

On the 2010-2015 Jaguar XJ, the X351 uses the JaguarDrive rotary selector that rises out of the centre console when the engine starts and retracts when it shuts down. The mechanism that lifts the dial fails, leaving the selector stuck flush in the console. Because gear selection is by-wire through that dial, a selector that will not rise means the car cannot be shifted out of Park, which strands owners in car parks and on driveways. Early symptoms are intermittent: the dial rises on the second start attempt, or rises then immediately drops back down, which owners dismiss as a quirk until it fails outright. The same rotary selector design is shared with the XF and XK of the period, which is why the fault has such a large documented owner base.

On the 2013-2019 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. These reports come from owners of 2013-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351) cars with the supercharged 3.0 V6, including the 2016 XJ R-Sport. 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. These reports come from owners of 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351) cars, including the 2016 XJ R-Sport. This is not a recall; Jaguar's information-only bulletin JTB00379NAS1 (September 2014) covers lamp condensation on 2010-onward XJ (X351), treats light misting as normal, and says pools of water indicate the lamp's sealing has been compromised.

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. These owner reports come from 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351) cars with the 3.0 supercharged V6 or 5.0 V8, including the 2016 XJ R-Sport 3.0 supercharged V6. This is not a recall or bulletin; not every car leaks.

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. These reports come from owners of 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ (X351) cars with the panoramic roof, including the 2016 XJ R-Sport when so equipped. This is not a recall or bulletin.