Recall 16V229 covers 5 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 Jaguar Xf vehicles for improper driver air bag deployment. Repair is free at any franchised Jaguar dealer.
Jaguar is recalling 5 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015 Xf vehicles because the driver frontal air bag is missing a chemical enhancer needed for second-stage deployment. That improper inflation in certain crashes increases the risk of injury, and Jaguar dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag in the 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 Jaguar Xf is built into the steering wheel area and is meant to cushion the driver in a frontal crash. Its inflator module fills the bag in stages, with a lower output and then a higher output when crash forces call for it. That staged deployment depends on the correct chemicals being inside the module.
On affected Xf vehicles, the driver air bag module is missing the chemical enhancer needed for the second stage, high-output deployment. Without that enhancer, the second stage does not deploy the way Jaguar designed it to deploy in certain crashes. The air bag still sits in place, but its strongest deployment level is compromised when the crash requires that level of output.
There is no warning sign before failure. The vehicle does not give the driver a dashboard light or drivability symptom tied to this missing chemical enhancer.
Who's affected?
The listed Jaguar Xf years are nonconsecutive, so the VIN check matters more than a model-year label alone.
| 2012 Jaguar Xf | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2015 Jaguar Xf | front air bag |
| 2011 Jaguar Xf | front air bag |
| 2009 Jaguar Xf | front air bag |
| Units affected | 5 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly inflating driver frontal air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash because the restraint does not deploy as intended. There is no owner warning sign listed before deployment, so confirm the recall by VIN and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Jaguar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 Jaguar Xf is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Jaguar dealer to schedule the free driver frontal air bag module replacement that fixes the improper second-stage deployment risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Jaguar mailed one, and reference recall number 16V229 when you call.
- Call Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827 if the dealer needs help locating the recall.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jaguar technician replaces the driver frontal air bag module covered by recall 16V229. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Jaguar has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for a related air bag repair before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork and payment documentation to the service desk, and ask Jaguar customer service how to submit the claim if the dealer cannot process it there.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 20, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 22, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| April 22, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 5, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 6, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V229?
Recall 16V229 covers 5 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 Jaguar Xf vehicles with a driver frontal air bag module defect. The air bag lacks a chemical enhancer needed for proper second-stage deployment in certain crashes, increasing injury risk. Jaguar dealers replace the module for free.
What should I do if my 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 Jaguar Xf is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Jaguar Xf is included in recall 16V229. If it is, contact a franchised Jaguar dealer to schedule replacement of the driver frontal air bag module. Reference recall number 16V229 or Jaguar recall J065 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Jaguar dealers replace the driver frontal air bag module free of charge, including parts and labor, for vehicles included in recall 16V229.
Is it safe to drive my Jaguar Xf before the air bag repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order, but the defect involves crash protection. In certain crashes, the driver frontal air bag can deploy improperly and increase injury risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free air bag module replacement with a Jaguar dealer.
What if I bought this Jaguar Xf used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received Jaguar's notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your Xf is included, then call a franchised Jaguar dealer and reference recall 16V229.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V229000 |
|---|---|
| Jaguar customer service | 1-800-452-4827 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V229 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V229000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →