Home · 2012 Jaguar Xf · Complaints

What 37 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Jaguar Xf

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (37)Crash / fire / injury (2)Fuel system (14)Engine (13)Airbags (5)Body & structure (2)Brakes (2)Speed control (2)Electrical system (1)Steering (1)Transmission & drivetrain (1)Visibility & wipers (1)

Newest first · 37 complaints · page 1 of 2

Dec 15, 2022Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

I was driving my 2012 Jaguar XF on Highway 75 my car began to go from drive to neutral and changing gears on his own and I almost got hit by a semi-truck with the vehicle slowing down eventually I made it home with the vehicle and put it in park and never came out park again, the gear box had locked up that I was told by a local Jaguar repair shop. I could have lost my life that day with that car doing this and someone else can lose their life if this happen to them if you all don't make Jaguar fixed this problem, if it already hasn't happen to someone. I reported this problem to Jaguar today and they sound like they weren't interested in what I was telling them. They said they would open and case and they will close it. Do that make sense to you to open a case and close it?

NHTSA ODI 11497528

Nov 9, 2022Fuel system

Fuel tank is leaking fuel from the top of the tank. Fuel is visibly leaking, I must exit the vehicle to air out and breathe. I’ve had multiple medical visits for headaches. Jaguar/Land Rover has had multiple fuel recalls, but have told me my car is not covered.

NHTSA ODI 11492927

Aug 7, 2022EngineFuel system

The dealer said that they fixed the recall, which is not true, because it came back so fast, it just unreal, the manufacture is one who should care about that, i was driving my kid to school wen the car started to shake badly, so i thought its kunda danger to my family !

NHTSA ODI 11478039

Jul 8, 2022Electrical systemEngineFuel systemCrash

Car shutdown powers completely off in rush hour speed traffic and will not do anything cant get it in gear or anything do to faulty electric components and faulty fuel pump and its components this is completely a fatality waiting to happen for the car owners and the on coming traffic vehicles this is real bad this also made me and my wife anniversary day the worst ever we are scorn for life

NHTSA ODI 11472840

Apr 15, 2021Engine

CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE GAS AND GARAGE HAD SMELL. TODAY 4/15/2021 NOTICED FUEL DRIPPING UNDER THE FUEL TANK AREA.

NHTSA ODI 11408313

Mar 11, 2021Engine

JAGUAR CUSTOM IS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC COOLANT OUTLET PIPE AND THE CROSSOVER PIPE LEAKING THERE WAS THREE CUSTOM THERE AT THE SAME TIME I WAS THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IS A COSTLY PROBLEM JAGUAR WANT $3,700 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM JUGUAR SUCH BE MADE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND STOP FROM MAKING MONEY ON CUSTOM FOR AND DEFECT PART THEY HAVE PUT IN THESE VEHICLE THEY KNOW IS INFERIOR PLEASE START A CLASS ACTION AGAINST THIS COMPANY FOR THIS PART.

NHTSA ODI 11400380

Jan 23, 2021Engine

THIS IS THE 3RD TIME SINCE I HAVE OWN THIS VEHICLE THE ANTIFREEZE PIPES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WARNING LOW BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, THEN EVERYTHING ON THE CAR STARTED SHUTTING DOWN. THE CAR OVERHEATED AND BLEW ALL THE FLUID LINES. ACCORDING TO JAGUAR OF OCALA THE CROSSOVER PIPE WENT BAD, AGAIN THIS IS THE 3RD ONE REPLACED. AFTER SPENDING OVER $5699.00 DOLLARS 6 MONTHS LATER I AM NOTICING THE FLUID LEVEL DROPPING AND WE CAN SMELL ANTIFREEZE. WE ALSO HAD SOME OIL LEAKS FIXED 7 MONTHS BY A MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZE IN JAGUARS AND THE CAR IS LEAKING AGAIN. ITS NEVER ENDING SPENDING MONEY AND WORRIED IT WILL CATCH FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11389580

Nov 9, 2020Fuel systemBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JAGUAR XF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE DASHBOARD LEATHER INTERIOR DETACHED FROM THE BASE OBSTRUCTING THE CONTACT'S VIEW. THE CONTACT MENTIONED AN ABNORMAL ODOR ON THE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALPIN JAGUAR (15500 ROSCOE BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91406, (818) 894-3800) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED HOWEVER, A DETERMINATION WAS NOT REACHED PERTAINING THE FAILURE. WHILE PERFORMING A VIN SEARCH, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V521000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHICH A CASE WAS MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11373864

Jan 10, 2020Engine

TIMING CHAIN NOISE THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD TIMING CHAIN NOISE WHICH IS LEADING TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WHICH CAN LEAD TO FATALITIES

NHTSA ODI 11298312

Oct 18, 2019Engine

COOLANT LEAK CAUSED BY BAD PLASTIC PARTS, ESPECIALLY THE CROSSOVER PIPE WHICH WAS MADE AS A WELDED TOGETHER PIECE. LUCKILY, I HAD A WARNING THAT MY COOLANT WAS LOW AND CONTINUED TO FILL THE COOLANT UP TILL I COULD BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER PUMP AND PLASTIC PARTS AS RECOMMENDED BY OTHER OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI 11269367

Aug 25, 2019

DASHBOARD IS COMING APART I HEARD DUE TO JAGUARS FAULTY BONDING AGENT THEY USED. THE DEALER TOLD ME ITS FROM THE SUN WHICH IS NOT TRUE

NHTSA ODI 11246261

Aug 3, 2019Engine

TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WEAR VERY EASILY MAKE OF WEAK OR POOR QUALITY METAL.

NHTSA ODI 11241533

Jul 22, 2019Engine

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT. AFTER CHECKING UNDER THE CAR, THE MECHANICS REALIZED THAT THE COOLANT TUBING WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BROKE. THEY STATED THAT IF I DROVE THE CAR, I WOULD BE IN DANGER OF THE CAR SMOKING AND MAYBE CATCHING FIRE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT. I WAS INFORMED THE JAGUAR HAS CHANGED THEIR ENGINEERING OF THIS RISK DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND REPAIRS. I ALSO HAVE A 2012 XF AND IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITHIN THE SAME WEEK WHICH IS COSTING ME $2200 TO REPLACE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IF THE COOLANT ISSUES RESULTS IS SMOKING AN POTENTIAL FIRE OF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11233800

Apr 5, 2019EngineFuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JAGUAR XF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCED THICK SMOKE, LOST FUEL, HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR, FAILED TO ACCELERATE OCCASIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND "RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JAGUAR OF ANNAPOLIS (101 FERGUSON RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21409, (855) 741-8067) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FOUR FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11194214

Mar 12, 2019Engine

WHEN MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED IT SAID THAT ALL 8 CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ALL 8 CYLINDERS TO GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN EMISSION RECALL ON SOME JAGUAR AND MY VIN NUMBER FALLS WITHIN THAT RANGE. HOWEVER THE ONLY RECALL THAT POPS UP FOR MY CAR IS THE AIRBAG ONE. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT BECAUSE MY CAR IS VERY UN STABLE. THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING ROCKING BACK AND FORTH CAUSE MY WHOLE CAR TO SHAKE AND ROCK. IT LOOSES POWER WILL CUT OFF AT RANDOM. RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE LIGHT IS ON AND CAR WILL NOT EXCELERATE

NHTSA ODI 11186155

Nov 5, 2018Fuel system

IN 2012 JAGUAR HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THEIR FX MODEL CARS DUE TO FAULTY FUEL TANK FLANGE ISSUES THAT COULD CAUSE THE CARS TO CATCH FIRE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # WAS 12V521000, THE RECALL # WAS: J027 & THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED WAS 4,195. IN THE DOCUMENT I'VE ENCLOSED, YOU'LL SEE THAT MY VEHICLE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE OIL LEAK AND CRACKED FUEL TANK FLANGE THAT OTHER CARS WERE RECALLED FOR IN 2012. I INITIALLY NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN MY GARAGE AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND CLOSING THE GARAGE DOOR ABOUT 1 WEEKS AGO. MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR ALSO COMPLAINED THAT SHE SMELLED THE GAS FUMES IN HER HOUSE LAST WEEK, BUT NOTICED THAT THEY WENT AWAY AFTER I REMOVED MY CAR FROM THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT OUTSIDE. I CHECKED JAGUAR'S WEBSITE AND ASKED MY JAGUAR SERVICE ADVISOR IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I'D PREVIOUSLY READ ABOUT THE FUEL TANK FLANGE RECALL, BUT BOTH SOURCES DID NOT CONFIRM A RECALL ON MY CAR. I CALLED JAGUAR THIS MORNING WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR MY CAR TO BE SERVICED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY RECALL WAS VIN SPECIFIC & IT WAS INDEED FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE I HAD FIXED TODAY. I'M CONCERNED THAT I WAS DRIVING AROUND IN A CAR THAT JAGUAR HAS KNOWN TO HAVE A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD'VE RESULTED IN MY CAR CATCHING FIRE, YET MINE AND OTHER JAGUARS WHO MAY HAVE HAD OR MAY HAVE THE ISSUE ARE STILL ON THE STREETS. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE MATTER, I WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION IN HOPES THAT YOU CAN INTERVENE WITH THIS SERIOUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI 11149472

Oct 18, 2018Wheels

TPMS FAILURE. THIS WARNING SUDDENLY APPEARED. CONTACTED JAGUAR AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY ARE HEARING MORE AND MORE ABOUT THEM, HOWEVER, THERE IS NO FIX. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I GO TO A TIRE SHOP AND HAVE THEM SCAN THE SENSORS, WHICH I DID. THEY SCANNED ALL FOUR SENSORS AND THEY SCANNED AS FINE, HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT THE SENSOR SUDDENLY STOPPED COMMUNICATING WITH THE VEHICLE. I CANNOT GET THIS FIXED AND NOT SURE OF WHAT IS GOING O. JAGUAR REFUSES TO LISTEN TO THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11141191

Oct 11, 2018Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JAGUAR XF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK INDICATOR ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS HALF A TANK OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THE FUEL PUMP BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (JAGUAR COLUMBIA, 540 JAMIL RD, SUITE A, COLUMBIA, SC 29210, (803) 731-7493) WAS CONTACTED AND SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE BROUGHT IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY IN THE SHOP AND A PART WAS ORDERED. THE VEHICLE REPAIRS WERE BEING DELAYED UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP PART ARRIVED. THE REPAIRS WOULD BE PERFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,124.

NHTSA ODI 11139688

Aug 21, 2018Engine

IT STARTED OFF AS A SMALL COOLANT LEAK BUT AFTER SPOTTING COOLANT ON THE OVERFLOW HOSE, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HOSE. REPLACING THAT HOSE DIDN'T STOP THE PROBLEM; COOLANT KEPT LEAKING AND I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER BOTTLE. I THEN BROUGHT MY CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO PRESSURE TESTED IT AND SAID THE WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE REPLACES IT FOR $734, WE PRESSURE TEST IT, ALL SEEMS GOOD. A COUPLE DAYS LATER I START LEAKING A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT AGAIN SO I PURCHASE A NEW BOTTLE OF COOLANT JUST TO GET HOME. THAT NIGHT I RESEARCH 2012 JAGUAR WATER PUMP ISSUES AND SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY KNOW MAJOR DESIGN FLAW AND USE OF CHEAP PLASTIC AFFECTING LOTS OF OWNERS. THE WATER PUMP FAILS REGULARLY AND THE PLASTIC CROSSOVER PIPE JUST BURSTS AT THE SEEMS. I HAVE A FAMILY FRIEND PURCHASE AND REPLACE THIS, ANOTHER $502. AFTER ANOTHER COUPLE DAYS I SMELL COOLANT YET AGAIN AND NOTICE A SMALL DRIP. THIS TIME IT'S THE WATER PUMP BLEEDER HOSE. I PURCHASE THE NEW UPDATED PART WHICH IS NOW 2 PARTS INSTEAD OF ONE AND SPEND ANOTHER $419 TO REPLACE IT. NOW THIS ALL IS HAPPENING AT THE ABSOLUTE WORST TIME EVER. THIS ISSUE STARTED WHILE MY WIFE WAS 8+ MONTHS PREGNANT. THE UNCERTAINTY OF WHEN THE CAR WOULD LEAK OR GOD FORBID OVERHEAT ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL HAD ME VERY NERVOUS AND UPSET. THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. NOW I KNOW THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS, I FEEL THAT THE WATER PUMP AND CROSSOVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE KNOWN FLAWS AND ALMOST CERTAIN FAILURE. AT THE VERY LEAST I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AS AN OWNER THAT THIS HAPPENS TO THE CAR AS I AM SURE YOU WERE AWARE OF ALL THE FIXES BEING DONE AT RETAILERS AND BY THE MULTIPLE PRODUCT UPGRADES. I FOUND OUT THAT OTHER VEHICLES WITH DIFFERENT VIN #S WERE IN FACT RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11121240

Jul 26, 2018Visibility & wipers

DASHBOARD IS COMING ABOUT CAUSING VISUAL IMPAIRMENT TO ROAD

NHTSA ODI 11113825

May 21, 2018Fuel system

I WAS DRIVING (IN MOTION) WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. I WAS ABLE TO THANKFULLY ROLL INTO A TURN LANE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART OR EVEN TURN THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER-ASSISTED BRAKING AND POWER-ASSISTED STEERING. IT WAS HORRIFYING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO ROSENTHAL JAGUAR LAND ROVER IN TYSONS CORNER VA, WHERE THEY UNCOVERED THAT THE ISSUE WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR AND THE DESCRIPTION MATCHES THE EXACT DESCRIPTION OF THIS RECALL: HTTPS://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/2013-JAGUAR-XF-RECALLED-FOR-FUEL-PUMP-PROBLEM.HTML

NHTSA ODI 11097042

Mar 12, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JAGUAR XF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V010000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT PROVIDING A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTIFICATION ADVISED THAT PARTS WERE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN 2019. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11078630

Nov 8, 2017Brakes

UPON STARTING THE CAR AFTER A BRIEF STOP WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION OF BRAKE IRREGULARITIES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME; THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. THERE WAS AN ACCOMPANYING BURNING SMELL AT THIS TIME, PROBABLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO BRAKE FLUID BEING SPRAYED ONTO HOT ENGINE/EXHAUST COMPONENTS. THERE WAS NO USEFUL PARTIAL BRAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO JAG DEALER. NO FLUID IN RESERVOIR, LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE HAD LOST INTEGRITY. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE HOSE, FILLED AND BLED SYSTEM. DEALER PROVIDED FAILED HOSE TO OWNER FOR EXAMINATION. AFTER PRESSURIZING THE HOSE WITH VERY LOW PRESSURE AIR IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE SWAGE CONNECTION OF THE HOSE AT THE CALIPER END FITTING. THE HOSE HAS BEEN DISPLACED FROM THE FITTING, AND AIR CAN BE MADE TO ESCAPE FROM THE FITTING/HOSE CONNECTION SIMPLY BY BLOWING INTO THE OTHER END OF THE HOSE. PHOTOS ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI 11044755

Oct 23, 2017SteeringEngineFuel system

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION WHEN ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS (SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER). STEERING CONTROL WAS LIMITED WHEN ENGINE SHUTOFF AND BRAKE PEDAL ALSO REQUIRED MUCH MORE PRESSURE THAN NORMAL TO BRING CAR TO STOP. ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE TAKING OFF FROM SCHOOL PARKING LOT, SO NO ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED, BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY LIKELY CAUSE FOR AN ACCIDENT ON A BUSY FREEWAY. CAR DID NOT START BACK UP AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ODI 11035946

Oct 19, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED BY JAGUAR, EVEN THOUGH YOUR SITE STATES "JAGUAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG ASSEMBLIES. PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING QUARTER 3 2017. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE TO OWNERS FOR THIS REPAIR."

NHTSA ODI 11034730

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Working with the data? Download all 37 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Jaguar Xf verdict →