NHTSA Complaint #10196763 — 2004 JAGUAR X-TYPE

JAG X TYPE 2.5 WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY. SUDDENLY WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN A LOUD SOUND LIKE METAL GRINDING WAS HEARD AS CLUTCH REFUSED TO ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR. IT WAS GONE. AS A FORMER PROFESSIONAL DRIVER I KNEW THE SOUNDS AND FELT WHEN A CLUTCH WAS WEARING OUT. THIS WAS AT 46,938 MILES. DEFECTIVE DESIGN, MECHANICAL AS SOME PART BROKE OR SHATTERED, NOT DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. JAGUAR SERVICE SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, BUT WHEN I WAS CONSIDERING TO BUY THIS CAR THE JAGUAR MANAGEMENT ASSURED ME THAT ALL PAST MECHANICAL PROBLEMS HAD BEEN CORRECTED IN THESE NEW X TYPE CARS. I KEPT THE OLD DAMAGED PARTS AFTER PAYING $ 3246, PLUS $340 CAR RENTAL , AND $ 65 TAXI. IT TOOK A SECOND TRIP BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE CLUTCH TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. THEY SAID MINE WAS THE SECOND CLUTCH THEY HAD EVER SERVICED. NOW I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY PERSONAL SAFETY IN DRIVING THIS CAR ANYWHERE, AND PARTICULARLY ON THE FREEWAYS. *AK