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2012 Jaguar XK problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Jaguar XK has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 2owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 15%fail the UK MOT
2 complaints, against an average of 2 for the other 3 Jaguar XK model years.
Every Jaguar XK model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Jaguar XK?
The components named most often in the 2 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2012 Jaguar XK been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Exterior Lighting Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Jaguar XK vehicles manufactured March 4, 2011, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the front side lamps (parking lamps) may turn off after approximately 5 minutes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the parking lamps turn off, the vehicle will have reduced conspicuity, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will update software that controls the front side lamps, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2015. Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's number for this recall is J049.
Electrical System Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 XK convertible vehicles manufactured October 1, 2010, through August 1, 2013. The switch in the overhead roof console also activates the power operated windows when the convertible roof is opening or closing. The switch does not move downward to close the windows. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk: The power windows may inadvertently be activated and pinch or injure an arm or finger.
Fix: Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the overhead roof console, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2013. Owners may contact Jaguar at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's recall number is J030.
Is the 2012 Jaguar XK recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAParking lights may not function as intended
Risk: Front side lights when used as parking lights should remain illuminated until the battery is exhausted. On affected vehicles they may extinguish after a period of time.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and update the software.
UK DVSADirectional control may be compromised
Risk: A concern has been identified where in the event of prolonged aggressive driving it is possible that the rear toe link will separate from the rear sub-frame. In this event vehicle stability will be compromised and degree of directional control minimised which increases the risk of an accident.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the nut and washer assembly on the rear toe link with components of revised design.
EU Safety GateWhen the front side lights are used as parking lamps with the ignition switched off, the lights will turn off in error after 5 minutes.Non-functioning parking lamps may increase the risk of the vehicle being involved in a crash.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/01/2015
How often does the 2012 Jaguar XK fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Jaguar XK owners report?
2 of the 2 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
A DEFECT EXISTS IN THE JAGUAR XK CONVERTIBLE, WHICH HAS REPEATEDLY AND UNPREDICTABLY PREVENTED THE JAGUAR FROM OPERATING, APPARENTLY IN CONNECTION WITH A CONCURRENT DRAINING OF THE CAR'S BATTERY. THE DEFECT RENDERS THE AUTOMOBILE UNABLE TO RELIABLY START AND DEPRIVES THE OWNER OF THE UTILITY OF THE VEHICLE. DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED BY JAGUAR'S AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THIS DEFECT ON EIGHT SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND REPLACING THE BATTERY AND BATTERY MONITOR MULTIPLE TIMES, THE DEFECT REMAINS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JAGUAR XK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 8,000. THE PISTONS AND VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 04/16/14..UPDATED 06/23/14 *BF UPDATED 06/2014 *JS
2012 Jaguar XK: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Jaguar XK reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Jaguar XK; the most common categories were electrical system (1, 50%), engine (1, 50%). There are 2 safety recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jaguar XK?
Across 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (50% of complaints), engine (50% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Jaguar XK have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Jaguar XK; the most recent (campaign 15V038000, 2015-01-27) concerns Exterior Lighting. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own XK
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.