John Evans is a long-time motoring journalist and editor from titles such as What Car?, AutoCar and Practical Caravan.
With its combination of scaled-down XJ styling, four-wheel drive, powerful engines and sporty heritage, the X-Type compact executive saloon should have easily unseated the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 when it entered the market in 2001.
The fact that it didn’t was largely the responsibility of its Mondeo roots (it shared that car’s excellent platform but exposed the Jag to charges of being merely a posh repmobile), the thirsty 2.5 and 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines it was launched with and a whiff of the golf club, which deterred younger buyers.
These same people were also disappointed by the model’s standard four-wheel drive system that seemed biased towards the front wheels, and lacked the BMW’s sporty edge. Front-wheel-drive 2.0 V6 and 2.0-litre diesel versions were added to the line-up in 2002 and 2003 respectively. A 2.2-litre diesel followed in 2005.
Its image problems aside, the X-Type was actually a very good car. It rode comfortably, its manual gearbox was light and precise (much better than the automatic) and it was well equipped and safe (it achieved an impressive Euro NCAP four-star rating).
It was also reasonably well screwed together, although be wary of cars built from 2009 towards the end of the model’s life. Of the three petrol engines, the 2.5 is the sweetest, while the 2.0 diesel is economical and punchy.
After a hesitant start, compounded by tales of poor reliability, the X-Type’s reputation improved during its years on sale, especially when the attractive and practical estate version arrived in 2004. In fact, the X-Type was Jaguar’s best-selling model throughout its nine-year production run, and today is an interesting and good value used car.
Common problems with Jaguar X-Type
In the years immediately following its launch, the Jaguar X-Type recorded some of the industry’s highest warranty claim rates. No area of the car was immune from giving trouble.
One of the most serious and potentially expensive problems lies with the bottom crank pulley damper assembly. Listen for it rumbling. If it fails, the engine could be written of. Otherwise, typical problems are confined to the brakes (equally serious, of course) and various electronic control units.
All versions have experienced serious, official safety recalls [check the government recall website here]. If you’re buying from a dealer, check they are aware of any recalls and whether they have attended to them.
If you are buying privately, check whether the seller knows if the work has been carried out. If they don’t, contact VW customer services (0345 303 2303) and ask if they have any records of the work having been carried out. Note that in most cases, only specific build dates and model versions are affected by a recall notice.
Recalls Model build dates
Indicator warning light may not show a fault 01/01/01 – 31/10/02
Poor adhesion of space saver speed restriction label 04/03/04 – 30/03/04
Yaw rate sensor has internally delaminated 19/02/04 – 10/03/04
Modification of handbrake lever 02/01/04 – 08/02/04
Short circuit may occur 20/08/03 – 24/08/04
Cruise control may remain engaged 01/05/05 – 31/01/10
Engine
A problem common to both versions of the 2.0 diesel engine (2003-05 and 2004-08) is the engine stalling. If fault codes P1211 and P0251 show on your diagnostic screen, suspect a faulty high-pressure fuel pump.
If, in mountainous regions or when descending, the same engine is slow to warm up and has a low temperature reading, the thermostat may be playing up. Again, the same engine may be difficult to start and displaying faults codes P1665 and P1664. Suspect a faulty engine control unit.
Failure of the same engine to start and an absence of fault codes points to either a damaged engine speed sensor or a fault with the dual mass flywheel that damps out diesel engine vibrations and protects the transmission from strong torque forces. Replacement of either, or both, components may be the only solution.
Some 2.0 diesel engines were the subject of a safety recall concerning a possible short circuit caused by insufficient clearance between the positive battery cable and the cylinder one injector. Rerouting the cable or repairing it is the solution.
Equally serious was a recall of 2.0 and 2.2-litre diesels for a faulty cruise control system. In short, it might either fail to engage or, more worrying still, disengage. An update of the engine control unit software was the recommended fix.
Issues with the ancillary drive belt at idle on 2.0 and 2.2-litre diesel engines prompted Jaguar to issue a technical service bulletin advising of a faulty crankshaft pulley. Only some pulleys were affected.
Another TSB relating to early versions of the 2.0 diesel (2008-04) was issued regarding occasional engine hesitation under low engine load. Faulty engine control unit software was blamed and a simple update the solution.
Steering and suspension
A loose or detached speed restriction label on some examples of the X-Type’s space saver spare wheel was the subject of a recall. All model versions were affected. Meanwhile, examples of all but the earliest versions of the 2.0 D and 2.0 petrol were recalled for knocking front and rear anti-roll bar bushes. The only answer was to renew them.
Brakes
Examples of all versions of the X-Type were recalled to have their yaw rate sensors checked following instances of reduced braking efficiency, and even random brake activation.
An equally wide-ranging recall concerned failure of the handbrake. Alarmingly, some cars had rolled away on the handbrake. The automatic adjuster was replaced with a manual one on affected cars.
Examples of the diesel models were the subject of a technical service bulletin when the brake pedal on some cars failed to return to its normal position. A faulty internal spring in the brake servo unit was the culprit.
Meanwhile, some examples of the petrol versions were also the subject of a TSB, this time concerning the dynamic stability control (DSC) system. Telltale signs were the warning light illuminating and fault code U1900. The likely cause was a faulty anti-lock brake (ABS) system. Replacement was the answer.
Exterior and interior
Examples of the early 2.0 diesel and all petrol versions were recalled for problems with their interior indicator warning light. Some drivers had reported that when the exterior indicator light failed, there was no accompanying warning on the dashboard. Affected cars received a new electronic control unit with modified software.