ISSUE: A CUSTOMER MAY RAISE A CONCERN OF THEIR VEHICLE NOT PASSING STATE INSPECTION IN CALIFORNIA AND THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT OR OTHER SUGGESTION OF A FAULT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Jaguar XJ engine problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 8 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Jaguar XJ, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
"ISSUE: COOLANT EXPANSION TANK STUB PIPE LEAKING ON XJ (X350), XK (X150) OR XF (X250) UP TO THE END OF 2009 MY. CAUSE: THE DESIGN OF THE STUB PIPE WAS NOT ADEQUATE AND COULD RESULT IN THE PIPE SPLITTING."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Title: 5.0L V8 (AJ133) overheating due to incorrect
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Charge Air Hose assy detachment.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗JTB00268 engine hard to start after hot soak - fan running Category Driveability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
While merging into the fast lane on the highway the car goes into limp mode and I nearly got rear ended by a truck . After precariously making it to the shoulder ( almost got hit by another car )the codes all cleared and car resumes as normal. I take it in to the dealer and he tells me its possibly the throttle body but he is not sure . Looking online I find many xjr's with the same issue…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Jaguar x-type. The contact was driving 70 MPH when the vehicle began jerking, exhibited an abnormal noise and immediately, lost power. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to a local transmission center. The mechanic informed the contact that the transmission was faulty and there were other unknown issues with the vehicle. The dealer was contacted but…
Coolant leak due to crack in nipple of recovery tank. *tr
Jaguar 2005 xj vdp has experienced many episodes of unintended acceleration during braking to a stop. As brake is applied, the engine throttles up and car cannot be completely stopped. When car is quickly shifted to neutral and braking maintained, the engine revs over 10,000 RPM and the ignition must be cut in order to stop the episode. On one occasion the car could not be stopped at a busy…
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Jaguar XJ?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Jaguar XJ?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 68,745 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Jaguar/XJ.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.