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REPORT: Quality problems afflicting Jaguar XF
Few would argue that the Jaguar XF is a great looking car and those who have driven it admire its dynamic characteristics. Unfortunately, as soon as you get in and press the start button, you can't help but wonder if the disastrous quality reputation that British cars have seemingly carefully nurtured for decades will afflict this car as well. The gear selector knob that rises out of the center console and the vents that roll over to expose themselves seem like bits that are destined to fail in time.
If the results seen by Automobile Magazine and respondents to TrueDelta's Car Reliability Survey are any indication, those fears are likely to come true. Automobile's long-term XF has been afflicted by a litany of issues ranging from faulty window regulators and bad rear axles to a failed power steering system. TrueDelta surveys owners and has found the XF requires far more trips to the dealer than competing models such as the BMW 5 Series, Cadillac CTS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. While the other models range from 33 to 97 dealer visits per year for every 100 cars, XF owners ended up back in the service bay 141 annually per 100 cars. Hopefully these are just first year production glitches, but this sort of news does not inspire confidence. Thanks for the tip, Leo!
[Sources: Automobile, TrueDelta]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
tankd0g 11:37AM (3/09/2009)
So Jag is really getting back to it's British roots:)
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Bloke 1:03PM (3/09/2009)
Deontic - and I've had a 3-series which had transmission failure at just 10K miles on a busy motorway roundabout. But would a blindly broadbrush BMW as "trash"? No. It pissed me off at the time, but ultimately it's just one of those things, as anyone with any hint of common sense would agree with.
Which is why when I read horror stories from people on here which people drum up just to somehow qualify a bashing campaign, I take them with a pinch of salt.
The truth of the matter is that with any car from any marque these days, you'll always hear horror stories - but the majority of owners have few problems whatsoever. And never believe what you read on a forum - far more people are likely to vent anger about a bad car experience online than they are if they experience no problems whatsoever.
tankd0g 3:44PM (3/09/2009)
Uh, old "British" jags are pretty much universally known for their horrible reliability do to their crap electrics.
John 10:33AM (3/09/2009)
Attention Bashers:
Here's your chance to take a break from Detroit and China for a while.
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Randy915 12:35PM (3/09/2009)
I like the way you think John, +1.
Tool 1:09PM (3/09/2009)
TrueDelta data is a complete farce.
Does anyone remember Michael Karesh that used to spam this board?
He's the douche bag behind TrueDelta.
Jonathan 2:43PM (3/09/2009)
@Tool
I'd like to hear why you think that. I've read Karesh's comments on TTAC, and he seems pretty knowledgeable. I'd read TrueDelta's complains about J.D Power too; their legitimate.
Tool 4:19PM (3/09/2009)
@Jonathan
Read the other comments to this post re: Michael Karesh and his so-called TrueDelta.
I agree with the criticism of J.D. Power and other established firms. But at least it is real market research, as opposed to whatever it is you would call TrueDelta. Not even really a panel and I think the data is highly suspect. To rely on it other than being directional or anecdotal would be a big mistake.
The other comments with Karesh was his constant promotion/obnoxious spamming of these boards circa 2006 when he was trying to get his company going. I suppose self promotion is the way to do it, especially when you are running a company out of your parents basement.
zamafir 10:34AM (3/09/2009)
This is unfortunate, normally I associate faulty window regulators with VW/Audis and failed steering BMWs, yet jaguar managed to grab both those traits and then some. Even if this is an unusually poor example it's not the sort of press Jaguar needs.
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Rev 11:42AM (3/09/2009)
Unfortunate?
The second I read about the useless, moving interior parts the first thing I asked myself is how long until they die?
The little rising center shifter knob has got to be the most retarded idea in automobile in history. Next to the revolving vents...
Mazda FTW! 1:56PM (3/09/2009)
If companies didn't try new stuff, we'd all still be driving crank-starter equipped Model Ts or whatever. I've used the XF interior electronics stuff and I loved the minimalism and look. It was such a welcome change from the Japanese/German stark black interiors with 100 buttons and 80s TV screens sticking out like a helmet.
6speedSTICK 8:28PM (3/09/2009)
BMW's with steering issues? Maybe in the mid 90's.... Their cars are UNBELIEVEABLY reliable now. I never thought the Germans could do it.
My pops had a 330xi and now a 328xi and both have held up like Hondas. My dad was always a Honda/Acura guy cause he was weary of German maintenance... but no more.
Audis are freakin beautiful (S5 anyone?). I'm from NYC burbs and go to school in frigid Syracuse so Audis are EVERYWHERE. And i swear... not lying.. almost every single one has constant, nagging issues, followed by the occassional $3,500 whopper. I'm speaking specifically about the A4, S4 and A6. I have no direct knowledge about other models. I've probably spoken in depth about the problems with 25+ owners.
bennayd 10:35AM (3/09/2009)
now you can focus your hate on india
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JDMlover 10:35AM (3/09/2009)
Seems like every time i hear about the XF....i hear about the issues also.
Main reason i buy dependable, strong cars that will last long and not give any problems.
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TomdeTomTom 12:40PM (3/09/2009)
Can I get two slices from your toaster please?
Still, sad that this bad Brit car image will continue to linger
LMBVette 1:55PM (3/09/2009)
We've got an XF and have had it since June 2008.
It's been to the dealship three times so far.
1) Rattling noise coming from sunroof. Returned to dealer and fixed.
2) Recall for rear seatbelt.
3) The car started then immediately shut-off. My wife was backing out of a parking spot...so now she blocked the row. Eventually, the car restarted. Took it to the dealer where they said it was an issue with the fuel pump (they weren't too specific and I wasn't there to ask questions). Fixed.
That's it so far......hopefully there is nothing more.
My wife loves the car.
Ian 5:44PM (3/09/2009)
"dependable...strong....that lasts"
Need it to replace something else? :-)
Poor Jags.
Also: "Few would argue that the Jaguar XF is a great looking car "
Really? Is it that ugly?
Shawn 10:36AM (3/09/2009)
There are a few things in life that never changes: Death, Taxes and a broken down Jags
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hyundaifans.com 11:40AM (3/09/2009)
Amen to that!
Avinash machado 10:39AM (3/09/2009)
Wonder how Clarkson will try to defend Jaguar now.
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