2003 JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS Complaints

I am writing to report a serious incident involving unsafe and negligent repair work performed by Arie Nol Auto Center Inc., an auto repair shop in Kentwood, Michigan. The shop’s conduct has not only caused personal distress but also raised significant public safety concerns. In December 2023, Arie Nol Auto Center diagnosed my 2003 Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas as needing a new water pump and mass airflow sensor. After allegedly making these repairs, the vehicle was parked in my garage. However, in May 2024, when I attempted to drive the vehicle, the engine warning light illuminated, and the oil system displayed dangerously low levels. Upon inspection, a retired mechanic discovered that the car had no oil, and the oil cooler bypass was missing. The vehicle leaked oil profusely, which could have led to a catastrophic engine failure or a road hazard. I believe the shop’s negligence could endanger not only vehicle owners but also other motorists. Given the potential risks associated with this type of negligence, I request that the NHTSA investigate this matter to determine whether broader safety violations are present. Repair shops that disregard safety should not be permitted to operate unchecked. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

URGENT....... TRAVELING @ 65 MPH IN THE HOV LANE OF THE 405 FREEWAY THE MIL ( MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ) SHOWED A TRANS FAULT, AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN!!! I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, AND COASTEED TO A STOP. THERE WAS NOT A CHAIN REACTION EVENT. AFTER STOOPING I REMOVED THE KEY, AS A POSSIBLE IGNITION SWITCH OVER HEAT ISSUE , IT WAS NOT HOT. I REPLACED THE KEY AND TURNED THE IGNITION ON , AND THE ENGINE STARTED, I PLACED IT IN GEAR, AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD IN LIMP HOME MODE. I AM FAMILIAR WITH OBD 2, AND KNOW THAT NO SYSTEM SHOULD EVER SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. A SUBSEQUENT REVIEW ON GOOGLE SHOWED NUMERIOUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEM, VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ! WHAT DO I WANT. I WANT THE NHTSA TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION AS TO WHAT IS THE FIX FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A PROGRAMMING DESIGN FLAW OF THE ECM OR TCM. I KNOW THE FIX FOR THE TRANS FAULT MIL LIGHT, A LOOSE SNAP RING ON THE FRONT CLUTCH DRUM OF THE ZF-24 5 SPEED TRANS. THAT PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED, HOWEVER, NO DRIVER SHOULD EVER EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE SHUT DOWN, WHEN A FAULT CODE IS DISPLAYED. IF A FIX IS NOT PUBLISHED, PEOPLE WILL DIE, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY!!!

THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR. MY 2003 JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND THE CAR WILL BARELY MOVE. IT IS A HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER. DIAGNOSED AS A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WHICH IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE THAT JAGUAR REFUSES TO ADDRESS. USUALLY A RESTART WILL CORRECT IT. THIS TIME IT DOES NOT CORRECT AND WILL COST $3,000 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 (NA) JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS. ON APRIL 10, 2004, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED AND DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER RIBS AND HEAD. THE OTHER DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE FOREHEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL A SCREECHING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED ROTORS AND BRAKES. UPDATED 10/30/06.*JB