1998 Jaguar XJ8L Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 61,750miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8L (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8L. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (47% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and fuel system (2). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 61,750 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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 cooling7 47%
- Fuel system2 13%
- Electrical system1 6.7%
- Engine1 6.7%
- Exterior lighting1 6.7%
- Body and structure1 6.7%
- Suspension1 6.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 6.7%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “My 1998 Jaguar XJ8L stalled at high speed (70 MPH) on the freeway for the third time in the last six month with no warning. This cause me to have very little control over my car. I was able to stop the car and restart with no problem. I checked an internet site which has a forum documenting this problem. This is a serious problem on the freeway. Very scary.”
NHTSA complaint #10040883, filed 2003-09, 66,800 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I currently own a 1998 XJ8L Jaguar. The vehicle started experiencing a slippage apparently from the transmission when accelerating. I took the vehicle to an authorized Jaguar repair shop. The mechanic stated that the transmission is going on the vehicle. From this point I contacted alpine Jaguar to find out if there were any recalls on this vehicle. There were recalls but not on my vehicle. The recall # is r478. The dealership insisted that I bring the vehicle in for inspection, but would not waive the $104.00 inspection fee. …”
NHTSA complaint #10146365, filed 2005-12, 72,400 milesFuel system: “The vehicles engine stalled without warning while driving at approximately 60 MPH on a 4-lane limited access highway. The instrument panel display read engine stalled . My wife was driving and she was able to coast the car to the side of the road to a safe stop. Fortunately there was no other traffic in the immediate vicinity. The engine restarted once the ignition was turned off and back on. We have experienced similar intermittent stalling over the last year or so, but never at highway speeds. …”
NHTSA complaint #10078731, filed 2004-06, 67,800 milesMileage when problems were reported
21% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 70,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 Jaguar XJ8L 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XJ8L RWD | 4.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 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 XJ8L 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 XJ8L
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 9 | 87,815 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 15 | 61,750 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Jaguar XJ8L have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8L as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Jaguar XJ8L is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (47% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 1998 Jaguar XJ8L 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 XJ8L get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Jaguar XJ8L (XJ8L, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 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 XJ8L reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 61,750 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 70,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.