Hi all, there is probably a post on this subject but hell if I can find it. This might help someone!

Early part of last year I bought my 2009 3.0D xf, yep....I bought it in the wet, so I didn't notice the De-lamination around the front screen or the slight rust bubble under the boot trim until later.

The anti corrosion warranty was still just about valid so I called Jaguar customer service at their HQ, they said they would review the rust but not the screen (outside the three year glass defect warranty). I went aong to my local Jag dealer in west London, who took pictures of my boot....some couple of weeks later they booked the car in and fixed it at no charge.

I was still miffed about the screen, so I found the contact details for the CEO of Jaguar UK and wrote to him. About a week or so later I received a call from Jaguar saying they would replace the screen free of charge...which they did! Happy days!

Just in case it helps someone, here is a copy of my letter:-

" Dear Dr Speth,


I have recently purchased a used Jaguar XF, returning back to the fold after owning a Mercedes. I have in the past owned a few Jaguar vehicles over the years starting with a series one XJ6, XJS, XJ40 and lastly an X Type. It’s true to say that I did not “fall in love” with the X Type and so I moved onto Mercedes. I needed to change my vehicle when I came across the XF Jaguar, I fell in love and bought one.


The vehicle is comfortable, fast, looks outstanding, good handling characteristics and a British icon. Gone are the hints of the Ford production line, the car has its own identity. The marriage of the V6 common rail diesel engine and the transmission is a joy, no turbo lag and seamless gear shifts.



I am hooked on the car, but have I made a mistake? When I first washed the car by hand I was horrified to find the boot lid rusting, the car is barley 5 years old. The rust is due to a manufactures fault, the early vehicles had no gasket between the chrome boot trim and the painted surface of the boot lid. Slight flexing between the two surfaces damages the painted surface allowing water to start corroding the steel. This fault was later rectified by fitting a clear plastic gasket between the two surfaces. My car is due to be repaired under Jaguar warranty in June, thank you.


During cleaning I also noticed that the front and rear windscreens are delaminating, more so the front screen, both the screens are genuine Jaguar Pilkington items. This is also a manufacturers fault, flexing of the monocoque is normal in most vehicles and the bonded glass panels add strength to the chassis. The de-lamination of the glass happens when the bonding between the three components of the screen fail due to inadequate bonding and in effect reduces the torsional strength of the body. Jaguar have in the past repaired this fault for other customers, in my case it would appear that I am not to be so fortunate.

Your customer service department have told me in not so many words that as I never bought the car from Jaguar I am on my own! I wonder if Mercedes would have had the same view should I have purchased a CLS?
I truly feel let down by such an iconic British manufacturer, a name that has an image for quality and performance. I have already had comments about the white edge around the glass, all being along the lines of “that’s bad, you wouldn’t think that would happen on a Jag”! I am sure you agree, it is not a good advertisement is it? Todays second hand car buyer could be tomorrows new car buyer...will I be that new buyer, time and experience will tell?


I look forward to your response."

 

Glad to hear that they listen. I was able to get my front screen fixed under warranty with no issues at all when I noticed it delaminating. It was still under full warranty at the time though.

 

I may have had an easier time had I bought the car through a dealership, but hey...just goes to show what a rant (and a bit of **** kissing) at a CEO can achieve. I think the front screen is about Ł680.00 GBP, fitted!

 

The dealership that fixed it was a different dealer than I bought it used from. I think it really depends on the dealer. Just really glad the one that's closest is the one that treats me best.

 

I think it is down to "if you believe you are right...he who shouts loudest in the right direction sometimes get what is right"!

 

Good for Jaguar !!!! Attention to Detail only makes you better !

 

I had previously noticed a bit of rust right above the chrome boot strip but it wasn't too bad. Now I see there are a couple new rust bubbles so it looks like it's spreading.

I see that the fix is to apply a clear strip between the boot and the chrome strip and respray the boot. Normally covered under a 6 year body and paint warranty.

I purchased my 09 xf a couple years ago and recall seeing that it was put into service in Dec 2008. Am I pretty much snookered in getting Jaguar to cover this repair under warranty?

Also, if I were to take off the chrome trim and put a gasket between the trim and the boot lid, would that prevent the rust from spreading or would I have to have the boot lid treated to prevent any further rust? Thanks.

 

Once rust starts, you have to neutralize the process, just putting on a gasket will not prevent it from spreading, but starting in the first place.

To do it properly...will require refinishing to re-establish the paint film and the underlying primers and surfacers to seal the surface.

 

Thanks for the response. I'm going to see if the dealer will cover this under warranty. If not ill have to bite the bullet and get it done properly on my own dime.

 

As expected Jaguar will not do anything for me as the 6 year corrosion warranty has expired. Has anyone fixed this boot rust issue out of warranty? If so, what kind of cost can be expected to fix this properly? Thanks.

Edit - I've been quoted $650 CAD plus tax for this repair through a reputable body shop. This includes a complete respray of the trunk lid and application of the 3M film. This seems like a fairly good price. Does anyone think that this is unreasonable?

 

Just an update for those that might be in a similar situation. I contacted JLR North America and they've agreed to cover 50% of the cost of the dealer repair (so basically $800 of the $1600 total cost) as a goodwill gesture seeing that my vehicle was a few months out of the 6 year corrosion warranty. I'm really pleased that they've come through for me.

 

So my vehicle was fixed by the dealer and instead of the 3m strip they put spacers underneath the chrome trim to ensure that the trim doesn't touch the paintwork. Has anyone else had this method applied to their vehicle to ensure the corrosion doesn't reoccur?