Recall 16V943 affects 16 2016-2017 Jaguar Xj vehicles for a front passenger air bag inflator defect. Repair is free at any franchised Jaguar dealer.
Jaguar is recalling 16 of its 2016-2017 Xj vehicles because the front passenger air bag inflator initiator can fail to ignite in a crash. If that happens, the passenger air bag does not deploy as required, increasing injury risk; Jaguar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The front passenger air bag inflator initiator in the 2016-2017 Jaguar Xj is the device that starts the passenger air bag deployment sequence. In a crash, the initiator is supposed to ignite the inflator, which fills the front passenger air bag so it can help protect the person in that seat.
In vehicles covered by NHTSA campaign 16V943, the initiator can fail to ignite during a crash. If that happens, the front passenger air bag does not deploy when the restraint system calls for it. The defect is limited to certain Xj vehicles in a selected VIN range, so the year and model alone do not prove a vehicle is included.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the air bag inflator module, and an owner would not feel, hear, or see it during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Covers the same front air bag inflator module across both Xj model years in scope.
| 2016 Jaguar Xj | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2017 Jaguar Xj | front air bag |
| Units affected | 16 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a severe crash, the front passenger air bag is at risk of not deploying as required, which raises the risk of injury. Because this is an air bag deployment issue, confirm your VIN and schedule service promptly if your vehicle is included. Repair is free at any franchised Jaguar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Jaguar Xj is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Jaguar dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag replacement that fixes the inflator initiator failure.
- Bring the recall notice if Jaguar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V943 when you call.
- Drive with care until the repair is complete; the recall affects front passenger air bag deployment in a crash.
- Call Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827 if you need help finding a dealer.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jaguar technician replaces the front passenger air bag so the passenger air bag system has the recalled inflator initiator removed. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 16V943. Jaguar lists a general reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you paid out of pocket for a related passenger air bag repair before the recall notice, bring documentation to the service desk and ask how Jaguar handles the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| December 28, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 29, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| February 9, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 20, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 20, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V943?
Recall 16V943 covers 16 2016-2017 Jaguar Xj vehicles with a front passenger air bag inflator initiator that can fail to ignite during a crash. If that happens, the front passenger air bag does not deploy as required, increasing injury risk. Jaguar dealers replace the front passenger air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Jaguar Xj is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V943. If it is, contact a franchised Jaguar dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag replacement. Reference recall 16V943 and Jaguar recall number J080 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Jaguar will replace the front passenger air bag free of charge at any franchised Jaguar dealer, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the front passenger air bag does not deploy as required in a severe crash. That leaves the front passenger without the crash protection the air bag is designed to provide, increasing injury risk. Jaguar's free repair replaces the affected front passenger air bag.
What if I bought my Jaguar Xj used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016-2017 Jaguar Xj is included, then call a franchised Jaguar dealer and reference recall 16V943 or Jaguar recall number J080.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V943000 |
|---|---|
| Jaguar customer service | 1-800-452-4827 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V943 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V943000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →