1998 Jaguar XJ8: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 83 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Takata recall transmission fault light lights is on instrument lights go blank transmission goes clunk in and either reverse or drive”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall without warning when driving at higher speeds of approximately 75 mph. The check engine warning light would illuminate after the failure occurred. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 101,000.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8. While traveling 20 mph, the contact noticed that the transmission fault warning light was illuminated. Moments later, the vehicle slightly hesitated before accelerating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and the failure mileage was 74,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8. While stopped, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle began to accelerate once the speedometer displayed 15 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 99v138000 (power train:automatic transmission), that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/19/12*lj”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2012
“Engine stall at high speed on highway, notice there has been recall on this before. Just purchase the car and check it out carfax and no mention this car was taking in for this recall can I still respond to this recall and how? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8. While traveling 70 mph the contact released his foot off of the accelerator pedal and noticed that the vehicle had suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed and 2 years prior the vehicle was taken to the dealership where the throttle body was replaced. The failure mileage was 62000 and the current mileage was 68000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2010
“I was driving my family to the jfk airport and all of a sudden on the highway my car stalled and would not restart then a car smashed into me so now because jaguar makes defective parts my family was hurt, then the next day I had the car towed to heritege jaguar and they had informed me that the tensioners in this model were made of plastic but jaguar told me that the car was out of warranty so that cost me $1700 for repair tw*”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2009
“Transmission fault light has come on in the car. Many owners have experienced the same issue. This cost about $2700 to fix. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2009
“Spontaneous deployment of drivers seat air bag. I was seated in my car, with the key in the ignition but the car was not running . As I turned to exit the car the air bag in the drivers seat deployed striking me in the left shoulder and knocking me into the car. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8. When the contact started the vehicle, he heard a clicking noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they determined that the timing tensioner was failing. The cost for repair would be $1,500. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 106,000 and current mileage was 106,050.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
How other years compare
Check your exact XJ8 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 reliable?
NHTSA has 83 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Jaguar XJ8 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.