Jaguar XF: ABS Warning Linked to Steering Problems

Had a very similar issue with my 2006 Jaguar XJ Diesel last year, and I have some experience working on cars as a hobby mechanic. The combination of ABS warning, steering issues, and tire pressure warnings often points to a faulty tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). In my case, one of the tire pressure sensors had a defective valve, which was causing false readings and triggering multiple warning systems. Even though the tire pressure appeared normal with a tire gauge check, the faulty sensor was sending incorrect signals to the car's computer system. This triggered both the tire pressure warning and affected the ABS system, which then impacted the power steering assistance. The repair involved replacing the defective TPMS sensor and recalibrating the system, which cost 280€. After fixing this, all warning lights cleared and the steering returned to normal. Before jumping to conclusions though, could you share: Have you noticed any specific tires showing low pressure more frequently? Did these issues start simultaneously or progress over time? Are the symptoms worse at certain speeds? What tire pressure readings are you getting for each wheel? This information would help determine if youre dealing with the same root cause or potentially something different.

Thanks for your detailed suggestion. After double-checking the tire pressure readings yesterday, all tires show normal values between 2.2 and 2.4 bar. The issues started gradually over the past week, with the steering becoming increasingly heavy. The vibrations are most noticeable at highway speeds above 100 km/h. My last service was at 98000 KM, about 4 months ago, where they did a routine check of all systems including the tire sensors. No issues were reported then. Interestingly, the front right tire seems to lose pressure slightly faster than the others, though I have not detected any obvious air leak. The workshop did not find any problems with the tire sensor system during the service. The steering wheel vibration definitely gets worse at higher speeds, which makes me wonder if this could be more than just a sensor issue. Could there be a mechanical connection between the tire pressure system and the ABS that Im missing?

Thanks for the additional details about your XF. Based on what youre describing, especially the vibration at higher speeds and the front right tire losing pressure, Im less convinced this is just a TPMS issue like I had originally thought. In my XJ, when I faced similar symptoms, the root cause turned out to be more complex. After the sensor replacement didnt fully solve the issue, further diagnosis revealed a failing wheel bearing on the same side where the tire pressure was dropping. The bad bearing was causing: Irregular tire wear leading to gradual air loss, ABS sensor interference (since the sensor ring is part of the bearing assembly), Steering vibrations that increased with speed The complete repair ended up costing 420€ including: New wheel bearing, ABS sensor replacement, Wheel alignment The tire monitoring system was actually working correctly, it was warning about a real issue caused by the failing bearing. The slight pressure loss in your front right tire combined with vibrations at highway speeds strongly suggests you might be dealing with a similar situation. Would recommend getting the wheel bearing checked as soon as possible, as continued driving with a failing bearing can lead to more extensive damage to the ABS system and steering components.

Thanks for providing such specific details about the wheel bearing connection, this seems like the most logical explanation for all my symptoms. The combination of ABS warnings, heavy steering, and the tire pressure issues makes more sense now, especially since they all gradually developed. My front right tire showing slightly low pressure readings while the tire sensor consistently triggers warnings definitely aligns with your experience. The fact that the vibrations worsen at higher speeds particularly matches your wheel bearing diagnosis. Think Ill schedule a workshop visit this week to have them specifically check the wheel bearing, ABS sensor, and get a wheel alignment done if needed. Better to address this now before it leads to more expensive repairs or becomes a safety issue. The total repair cost you mentioned of 420€ seems reasonable considering the comprehensive fix it provided. Will update once I get it checked out, as this could help others who run into the same combination of warning lights and steering problems in the future. The link between ABS warnings and tire pressure issues wasnt something I would have connected to a wheel bearing without your insights.