2016 Jaguar XJ Problems: 11 Known Issues

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 weak points in the compact crankshaft design; owners of Land Rovers with the same engine also report main bearing shells rotating and blocking their oil feed. It affects 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 5.0L AJ133 supercharged V8, 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-onward 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. It affects 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 (reissued as JTB00349NAS2) covers 2010-onward XJs.

On the 2010-2019 Jaguar XJ 5.0L AJ133 supercharged V8, a separate component and a separate failure from supercharger nose cone bearing wear: the AJ133 supercharger drive uses a spring-loaded torsional isolator on the blower's nose pulley to damp driveline shock. The end of the original spring bears directly against plastic, and over time the spring wears grooves into its support shaft. The resulting backlash produces a loud, irregular clattering that owners consistently describe as marbles rattling in a tin can — loudest at idle, on overrun, and as the engine shuts down. It is easily confused with timing chain rattle, but this one is present at hot idle rather than only on cold start-up. Jaguar Land Rover issued Technical Bulletin JTB00349v2 covering 2010-onward X351 XJ vehicles with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8, and released a revised isolator whose spring end seats in a metal cup instead of against plastic. Owners report onset from around 50,000 miles.

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 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ, 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 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. It affects North American 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ (X351) models with InControl Touch Pro from 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 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. It affects 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 2010-2019 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 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 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.