1998 Jaguar XJ8 Problems
- Complaints
- 83filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles, 48 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often report the engine shutting off at highway speed, usually with no warning, and many describe repeated trips to the dealer without a lasting fix. A smaller but consistent group of complaints covers transmission warnings and gear failure at higher mileage, along with interior electrical faults and timing chain tensioner wear.
- Engine cooling
Engine stalls at highway speed
- 35 complaints (42%)
- median 55,600 mi at 6.6 yrs old (23 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2001–2012
Owners describe the engine cutting out suddenly while driving, most often on the freeway at 55-75 mph, after which the car must be coasted to the shoulder, switched off and restarted. Complaints frequently mention loss of power steering and brake assist during the stall. Several report that dealers cleaned or replaced the throttle body, reprogrammed the control module or replaced parts such as relays, and that the stalling returned after some months or miles; a number say the dealer could not identify a cause. Reported across a wide mileage range, commonly between roughly 30,000 and 70,000 miles, and mostly during highway driving.
What to check: Ask for service records showing whether throttle body cleaning or replacement and any software or relay work was done, and how recently. A long test drive at highway speed, including a long downhill or trailing-throttle stretch, can help reveal the symptom.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“This is the 6th time this car has stalled at highway speed without warning. Prior submittal have been made to NHTSA (see odi 74783 and 76465). I consider this a serious safety issue. I cannot allow my wife to drive the car. Jaguar has made 5 attempts to correct the problem but has failed each time. On average I have suffered this safety related failure on average, every 261 days!**** dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****769759.”
NHTSA complaint #10008569, filed 2002-11, 29,960 miles“While traveling on the freeway at 70 MPH, the engine shuts off. Have taken it to the dealer 6 times in the last 3 months of 2003 to have fixed. Supposedly they replaced the engine on the third service time, but within 4 days the same problem occurred while driving on the highway. I am afraid to drive this car. Each time I take it to the dealer for service they insist the problem is fixed, yet the same thing keeps happening, the engine shuts off for no reason. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013653, filed 2003-03, 55,600 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission fault light and gear failure
- 10 complaints (12%)
- median 109,270 mi at 11.5 yrs old (10 state mileage)
- filed 2005–2020
Complaints describe a transmission fault warning illuminating, sometimes with a clunk or hesitation, and in some cases the car refusing to accelerate past low speed or failing to engage drive or reverse. Several owners report that a dealer or independent shop found internal damage such as cracked gear teeth or a failed transmission module, with repair costs of a few thousand dollars. Some owners believed a past transmission recall should have applied but were told their vehicle was not included. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 130,000 miles.
What to check: Check that the transmission warning light comes on with the ignition and goes out after start, and test shifts from a stop and under light acceleration at 20-40 mph. Ask whether the fluid has ever been serviced, since these units are described as sealed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Dt: 1998 Jaguar XJ8. The consumer states the transmission locked. The vehicle is at a transmission place now. The transmission locked up in the driveway, after it sat for approximately half an hour he took it to dealer. This is the only time this happened. There was recall 99v138000 concerning transmission. When he called Jaguar, they stated this vehicle was not part of the recall. This is a complaint from canada, the mileage is in kilometers.”
NHTSA complaint #10134612, filed 2005-10, 122,947 miles“1998 Jaguar XJ8 zf-transmission failure. Vehicle has 105, 542 miles. Vehicle would jerk and shudder under light acceleration (2nd &3rd gears). Transmission is a zf- 5 speed, sealed unit-no servicing. This happened 3-4 times but did not trigger a fault code. When starting from a stop sign, there was a loud grinding noise that sounded like the gears were not meshing. I pulled over and checked the vehicle for leaks or obvious damage- none noted. Started vehicle and attempted to merge into traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10147401, filed 2006-01, 105,541 miles - Electrical system
Interior electrical faults and warning lights
- 9 complaints (11%)
- median 32,328 mi at 6.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2000–2016
Owners report assorted electrical problems: the driver's power seat moving on its own while driving, the steering wheel failing to move out of its retracted position, rear doors that only open after the driver's door, intermittent airbag warning lights, and instrument lighting going blank. Complaints also mention battery-area failures and repeated dealer visits for the same faults. Reported from low mileage upward, with several complaints under about 70,000 miles.
What to check: With the engine running, cycle the power seat and steering wheel through their full ranges and check that all doors unlock and open normally. Confirm every warning lamp behaves correctly on startup.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The 1998 XJ8 while at highway / interstate speed 55 and up has gone into limp or stall mode at random (6 times in the past 18 months) exposing the occuptants to severe traffic hazards from fast moving vehicles. The vehicle coast to a standstill and must be put in park to restart. The Jaguar dealer has changed out parts but the problem continues. Many 1998 Jaguar owners have reported the same problem. The last incident was may 18, 2003”
NHTSA complaint #10019176, filed 2003-05, 32,000 miles“Battery exploded, filled trunk with smoke, blew electrical covers off of fuse and relay blocks which are located too close to the battery under the floor of the trunk..exploded when turned ignition key to start car--very violent--if trunk had been open, acid would have covered anyone nearby. Better shielding of the battery needs to be undertaken.”
NHTSA complaint #756982, filed 2002-01 - Engine
Timing chain tensioner wear
- 6 complaints (7%)
- median 73,850 mi at 10.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- filed 2005–2018
Complaints describe a rattling or clicking noise from the engine, which dealers traced to the timing chain tensioners; in some cases the tensioners failed and valves contacted the pistons, requiring major engine work or engine replacement. Owners report that later metal tensioners exist as an updated part and ask whether that change has been made on their car. Reported from around 63,000 to just over 100,000 miles, often noticed as a noise at startup.
What to check: Listen for a rattle or click at cold start, and ask whether the timing chain tensioners have been replaced with the updated metal parts and whether that work is documented.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Operating my vehicle, the engine starting running poor. Jaguar dealership explained poorly designed timing chain tensioners and arms have failed because Jaguar made the components out of a cheap plastic, that is known to crack and cause the valves to contact the pistons. Jaguar updated the tensioners to metal , but refuses to accept responsibility for this design flaw and want to charge several thousand dollars to upgrade to the better designed parts. They refereed me to service bulletin technical service bulletin no. …”
NHTSA complaint #10544912, filed 2013-09, 135,967 miles“- the contact owns a 1998 Jaguar XJ8, and stated that the timing tensioner failed and caused the valves to stay open ,which in turn caused the vehicle to lose power at any given time. The current and failure mileage were 66,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10187046, filed 2007-04, 66,000 miles - Suspension
Front-end vibration and seat mount failure
Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints
A small group of complaints describes a vibration felt through the front of the car above roughly 38-40 mph that persisted after new tires and an alignment, and a driver's seat whose mounting bolts broke so the seat rocked back and forth. Owners describe the vibration as worse in strong crosswinds. Reported between about 60,000 and 85,000 miles.
What to check: Drive at highway speed including some crosswind if possible and feel for steady vibration through the wheel and floor. Check that the front seats are firmly mounted and do not rock when pushed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle recently purchased used from auto broker. Since purchase, there has been a vibration seemingly originating from the right front wheel area. During an exceptionally windy day (30+ knot crosswinds on highway), the vibration was strong enough to make me question my ability to control the vehicle. I assumed this was due to tires out of round/balance or vehicle out of alignment so purchased 4 new tires and had vehicle aligned. Vibration is still noticeable although not nearly as strong as before. …”
NHTSA complaint #10068080, filed 2004-04, 64,500 miles“Driver side seat bolts broke off without warning. As a result, the seat rocked back and forth. Consumer was concerned that in an event of a crash, the seat would be ejected from the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10061507, filed 2004-04, 80,000 miles
Buying note. These cars reward a careful inspection: verify service history for throttle body work, timing chain tensioners and transmission service, and take a highway test drive long enough to see whether the engine cuts out or the transmission light appears. Because many complaints involve repeated dealer visits without a lasting fix, budget for diagnosis rather than assuming a single repair will settle the issue.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 83 consumer complaints for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8. 48 of the complaints include a mileage, and 19% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling35 42%
- Vehicle speed control13 16%
- Electrical system11 13%
- Fuel system5 6.0%
- Engine3 3.6%
- Seats3 3.6%
- Suspension3 3.6%
- Air bags2 2.4%
Also reported: Brakes (1), Electronic stability control (1), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Interior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Engine stalled at 75 miles per hour on the highway. This happened as I was accelerating and climbing a hill - car just suddenly lost power. I was forced to pull over on the side of the road. The car was difficult to restart after the incident, but eventually started up again and returned to normal. No injuries or accidents, luckily, but I have been driving the car very carefully since the incident in order to avoid trouble. The car has not been serviced, but the cause of the defect is well-known among Jaguar owners and dealers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10088535, filed 2004-08, 61,300 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “- the contact stated that his 1998 Jaguar XJ8 hesitated while accelerating from a stop. Once the vehicle's speed rose to 20 MPH, there was a loud bang. This was followed by the transmission warning light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where it was determined that there were fine cracks within the gear teeth. The contact felt that vehicle should be covered under NHTSA recall id campaign 99v138000 since the vehicle experienced the same incident as mentioned in the recall. The consumers vehicle identification number was out of range for the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10178208, filed 2007-01, 113,000 milesVehicle speed control: “While traveling on the freeway at speed of approx. 60 miles per hour the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate and coasted to a stop. Fortunately I was able to pull over and restart the car. The loss of power resulted in a very dangerous situation on one occasion as I was stuck between a cement truck in front and a car carrier to the rear. I definitely feared for my life. After the third event I contacted rusnak Jaguar in pasadena and they told me the problem was due to carbon buildup in the throttle body and the solution is to remove the throttle body and clean and readjust. …”
NHTSA complaint #10031038, filed 2003-08, 45,000 milesElectrical system: “Car stalled at high speeds from 44,000 until trade-in on sept 4 at 69,000 miles. Luckily no one was ever hurt. However, we had expected to keep the car for longer as we did our last car of over 100,000. We kept taking it back to Jaguar but they said it was not their problem but the throttle just needed to be cleaned. They even taught my husband how to clean the throttle. During the last 6 months we had the car, we had it to the Jaguar dealer and two other independent repair places to try to fix the stalling. No one was able to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10096181, filed 2004-10, 69,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
19% of the 48 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 Jaguar XJ8 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XJ8 RWD | 4.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10212845Apr 14, 2021Electrical system. Attachment.
- 10212844Apr 14, 2021Electrical system. Attachment.
- 10212843Apr 14, 2021Electrical system. Attachment.
- 10146032Aug 20, 2018Electrical system. A customer may report "Hood Open" message displays on IP with hood closed.
- 10146031Aug 20, 2018Electrical system. 18C - New face of InControl Touch Pro and 18C software improvements
- 10146030Aug 20, 2018Equipment. SIM card activation issues
- 10146029Aug 20, 2018Equipment. InControl Touch Pro phase 4 customer letter
- 10134968Mar 8, 2018Equipment. Jaguar Land Rover Shop Foreman Conference Call
- 10127619Dec 14, 2017Equipment. Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call
- 10212857Dec 1, 2012Electrical system. Mongoose Update.
Other model years of the Jaguar XJ8
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 70,500 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 54 | 50,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 13 | 37,500 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 11 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 83 | 69,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Jaguar XJ8?
Owners of this model year most often report the engine shutting off at highway speed, usually with no warning, and many describe repeated trips to the dealer without a lasting fix. The issues reported most often: Engine stalls at highway speed; Transmission fault light and gear failure; Interior electrical faults and warning lights.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 have?
NHTSA recorded 83 consumer complaints for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 35 complaints (42% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 14.
Has the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 (XJ8, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 reported?
Among the 48 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,000 miles and the middle half falls between 54,000 and 100,000 miles; 19% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.