Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Jaguar X-Type, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 38 | 29% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 7% |
| Tires | 9 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 4% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% |
| Structure | 4 | 3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WAS TRAVELING SB I25 MILE MARKER 251 ON7/7/17 AT 13;20. WHEN A 6FT LONG TIRE DEBRE WAS IN THE ROAD AND GOT HIT BY TRUCK AND THROWN INTO MY RADIATOR AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. WHEN I TALK TO CHP HE HAD AN
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
"TAKATA RECALL, IS THERE A REASON TO REPLACE THE AIR BAGS? I WOULD SERIOUSLY LIKE TO KNOW!
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CPSC: 2002 JAGUAR X-TYPE : CONSUMER STATED HE ORDERED A BLUE DEVIL RADIATOR/BLOCK SEALANT FOR A SMALL LEAK COOLANT, BUT THE SEALANT WAS DEEMED DEFECTIVE ONCE IT HAD ADDED TO THE RADIATOR. IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHEN DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL SHUT-OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WILL NOT RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES - THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND SEPT. 13. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED THREE TIMES. I WAS TOLD T
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JAGUAR X- TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, THE KEY FELL FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE WAS SPORADICALLY RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JAGUAR X- TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JAGUAR X-TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE HEARD AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE GEARBOX WA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
A-FRAME AND FRONT CORNER PANELS ARE RUSTING OUT DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. JAGUAR REFUSES TO FIX THIS ISSUE. WITH A RUSTED OUT A-FRAME IT MAKES THE CAR EXTREMELY WEAK AND IF IN A CRASH THE CAR WILL CRUMBLE. MAJOR ISSUE, PLEAS
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2002 Jaguar X-Type. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, THE POWER CIRCUIT WHICH FEEDS THE DIRECTION INDICATOR SYSTEM COULD FAIL. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER BEING UNAWARE THAT THE EXTERNAL TURNING INDICATORS ARE NOT OPERATING BECAUSE THE INTERNAL "TELL-TAIL" LIGHT ON THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUES TO WORK NORMAL
Risk: THE LOSS OF REAR TURN SIGNALS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LHD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HAND BRAKE, WHICH APPLIES THE PARKING BRAKE, MAY NOT APPLY SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PADS TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS LEFT IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER WITHIN TH
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OUTSIDE THE RECOMMENDED RANGE, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT HAND BRAKE LEVER SYSTEM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL HAND BRAKE LEVER SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CON
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 48 | below average |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 38 of them (29%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.