Jaguar’s XJs Halt Sale Caused By Fuel Leaks

Jaguar Cars has recently ordered its dealers around the world to cease selling some 2006 and 2007 XJ sedans due to massive gasoline leaks from their fuel tanks. In view of this action, Jaguar notified its US and Canadian dealers of the so called ‘quarantine’.

Quarantine forbids Jaguar dealers from selling new or used XJs with identification numbers G49701 through H13209. The order followed the opening of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Investigation was initiated because several US customers reported to the agency that their garage floors were "flooded with gasoline" after every fill-ups. According to most of the reports filed in NHTSA, the leaks are from the fuel tank of the cars, not the filler pipe or fuel lines running to the engine. Said leaks occurred immediately after refueling or a day subsequent.

Tim Watson, Jaguar spokesman, said that Jaguar is researching the matter. He said he did not know how many vehicles are in the VIN range or how many in the range may have faulty fuel tanks. Watson was unable to identify whether the discrepancy is a manufacturer issue or a supplier one. He was also uncertain about the number of affected XJs which are already sold to customers. So far, there have been no reported repair measures coming from Jaguar. Nonetheless, the action does not yet comprise a recall.

Watson added that Jaguars Cars is talking with the fuel tank's supplier, TI Automotive, to determine the cause of the leaks. On the other hand, TI Automotive's North American office in Warren, Michigan made an inquiry to its headquarters in Oxford, England. Nevertheless, said office did not respond to such inquiry.

In the meantime, since the root cause of the leaks is not determined yet and the solutions cannot be ascertained, Jaguar XJs will be having a halt sale. Said automaker will still be checking on its Jaguar XJ Series parts as well as other XJ car parts to preclude this predicament from recurring.