Faults:

Trunk latching and unlatching has been an issue since we got the car.

Coolant pump started leaking at 24000 miles.

Clicking in the automatic gear shift started at about 20000 miles.

Transmission blew almost overnight at 25000 miles.

General Comments:

My brother bought the car for my mother to give her a reliable car and safe car after having so many issue with the Ford we previously owned - major disappointment in a car maker that usually has good ratings and for the price of maintenance, not worth the original price.

Generally a nice comfortable car but somewhat cramped interior seating for driver seat.

Smooth ride and acceleration up until the point the transmission blew.

Jaguar should have issued a recall for this vehicle since the transmission issue became apparent way before the original manufacturer warranty expired.

Faults:

Transfer box failure at just past coverage, clutch, oil seals.

General Comments:

As a first year entry in the econo-class Jaguar market, the car was an exciting attempt to place a great driving Jag, in the hands of those who previously could not afford a new one.

It's initial release was met with the excitement of all totally new concepts, from the fabled automotive maker.

At first drive, the car begged to be put through it's paces. And the manual version of the X-Type that I purchased (which came with a 235 HP motor, stiffer suspension and every extra less the heated seat option, known to man), was indeed a blast to put the foot too. The all wheel drive handling, combined with the stick, made for a Jaguar of tight, controlled, energy, selling the roar of the famous jungle cat well.

Then came the actual truth of the vehicle. Much had been left "un-finished" when it came to the fit and construction of the model. Major parts failed, way too soon.

Clutches. Break-downs...un-explained cruise control cut-ins that disabled the vehicle, while driving at hi-speed on the freeway.

Then came the grand-daddy of all rip-offs. A failed transfer-case at only 60,000 miles, with a 4000 dollar repair bill attached to it.

Faults:

Transmission started slipping at 38,000 miles.

General Comments:

I bought my X Type dream car off lease in Florida for what I thought was a bargain of $17,000. Four years old with only 38,000 miles. These cars are beautiful on the exterior and interior. The seats are comfortable with good quality leather and the X Type has not changed model shape since 2002 until present. HOWEVER, at 54,000 miles the transmission started slipping when it was kicked down or for no reason at all. After a week it would go into limp home mode. I paid the dealer, Decarie Montreal, $1,500 for a diagnosis, "needs new gearbox" then out of disgust for this price with no work done, had it rebuilt elsewhere for $3,500. This mechanic has a good reputation in the city but after successive breakdowns has just offered to give me my money back. Please do not buy a Jaguar. This site should tell you what I wish I had know before I wasted thousands. My experience with the dealer in Montreal and Miami was that they simply replaced parts until the problem was solved or tried to convince you the problem did not exist. In short, "parts replacers", not mechanics.

Faults:

Transmission recall at 8,000 miles.

Moon-roof not retracting.

A/C not cooling.

A/C smells of mildew.

Trunk latch replaced.

Dash coming apart. Screwed in several times.

Gas tank not registering proper fuel amount - replaced twice.

"General system Fault." Car stuck on road.

Shifter making clicking sounds when braking - shifter replaced.

Constant wind noise during highway speeds.

Other "minor" recalls.

General Comments:

I've owned a 2002 Jaguar X-type 3.0 AWD for five years. I bought it new in NY. I recently traded it in for a 2007 Honda CRV.

I've had so many issues with the X-type. It started as a joke when the salesman asked me how the Jag was running. At first, I said, "Okay." Later after the many trips to the service department, I told him, "Well, I'm gradually replacing this car piece by piece under the 4 year warranty." At that point, he stopped asking me about the car for the fear that it might effect his other sales.

The moon-roof had a problem retracting, I had the gas tank replaced twice because it wasn't registering the proper amount of fuel, I had several "minor" recalls taken care of including the transmission replaced (minor recall?), the trunk latch fixed, the dash screwed in several times, and the A/C was not cooling.

Then a constant mildew smell from the A/C that wouldn't go away. The air cabin filter was replaced twice and "sani-fresh" was done several times, but the smell remained. I checked into a possible leak either coming in from the windshield during rain, or from the inside A/C condenser from condensation not properly draining, but was told that if it was leaking from there, the entire floor would be wet (it wasn’t).

I also had clicking sounds coming from the shifter when applying the brakes, and the entire shifter had to be replaced (of course, after I put a dash kit in and I couldn’t remove the wooden piece to put on the new shifter).

I also had an unresolved problem with constant wind noise from air coming into on the driver’s side door at highway speeds. A problem that only turning up the radio seem to resolve (LOL).

In the end I was glad to see my X-Type go. I wasn’t happy that the dealer took me for a ride on the trade-in price, giving me less than Kelly Blue Book value. This was probably because the Honda Finance Manager wanted the car for his wife and low-balled the price (shame on him! I do hope he gets what he deserves!). Just the same, now it is no longer my headache.

In the end, I always wanted to own a Jag ever since the XJ6 was produced. I can say that I owned one for five years. Now, I never want to own one because they are truly a piece of ….!

I have never seen a poorer quality car produced in my life. Even with a four-year bumper-to-bumper warranty (which they definitely apparently need), you will never get me in one of those cars again.

I own a few Hondas (including motorcycles) and I’ll stick with them. I shouldn’t have to be on a first name basis with the Jag service manager as I was.

The 2007 Honda CRV EX has the same luxury (heated leather seats, heated side-mirrors, McPherson and multi-link suspension system, disc brakes, AWD, XM radio, same MPG, stainless steel exhaust system, storage galore, etc) that the X-type does.

The only four real differences are that the CRV uses a 4-cylinder 2.4L engine (very torquey!) to the X-Type’s V-6 3.0L engine. The CRV uses regular gas versus the X-type’s premium gas (the CRV gets slightly better gas mileage).

The CRV is infinitely more reliable than the X-type (not one problem or recall yet with the CRV).

The last difference is that the CRV costs $26,000 versus $42,000 for the X-type, a $16,000 difference!

So, my humble advice is to save your money and buy TWO reliable cars for the price of the unreliable extremely poor quality X-Type. This is my honest opinion, and I have over two inches of repair records to objectively back up my position.

Do I still love Jags? Absolutely! For both their looks and their prestige. But instead of the car, I’ll stick with their key chains, hats and shirts. Those items are the only items that have yet to disappointed me. I hope others find my X-Type experience insightful.