1998 Jaguar XK8 Problems
- Complaints
- 32filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 56,950miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Jaguar XK8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 1998 Jaguar XK8. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (31% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (7) and electrical system (4). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,950 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 27 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
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 cooling10 31%
- Electrical system4 13%
- Fuel system4 13%
- Vehicle speed control3 9.4%
- Exterior lighting2 6.3%
- Suspension2 6.3%
- Brakes1 3.1%
- Engine1 3.1%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “My 1998 XK8 Jaguar timing chain broke and ruined the engine requiring a new one for $11,000 with only 49,000 miles on it. I had taken it to the dealer for service the entire time. This is a very common problem occuring within the Jaguar line. Jaguar refuses to help and tries to keep it under wrap until the warranty expires. It is a well known design flaw that has cost tons of people thousands. My car also stalled without warning on the highway and this too is a common problem. Both of these could have caused me serious injury.”
NHTSA complaint #10104810, filed 2004-12, 49,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “When driving in reverse, consumer is not able to place gear in drive unless moves to park first. Dealer has replaced shifter 5 times, but problem continues to occur. Vehicle is a 1998 Jaguar XK8.”
NHTSA complaint #10024133, filed 2003-07, 12,000 milesElectrical system: “The vehicle, without any warning and instantaneously at speed limit in a freeway travel lane, ceased to operate. This happened on numerous occasions since first acquired with less than 4,000 miles use. Each time this caused the driver (my wife) to conduct an emergency procedure - hit the emergency flashers, shift to neutral, and restart the car while it was decelerating. The last time was on july 14, 2008. The power steering, power brakes, safety handling systems, and engine were inoperable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10236623, filed 2008-08, 40,000 milesFuel system: “In two separate instances, my 1998 Jaguar XK8 has stalled while driving at highway speeds. In both cases, I had started the engine from cold at about 50 degrees ambient temperature, driven about three miles in city traffic, and then entered the freeway. Within about 1 1/2 miles, at a speed near 60mph, the car stalled. An engine monitoring system message read: 'engine stalled and check engine . These messages were not present previous to the incidents, nor after I restarted the vehicle. I was able to pull off the freeway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10321074, filed 2010-03, 60,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 84,000 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 XK8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XK8 RWD | 4.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| XK8 Convertible 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
- 98V022000Feb 12, 1998Vehicle speed controlCovers: Jaguar XK8 1998, XJ 1998
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The cable adjuster bracket nut on the outer sleeve of the throttle cable can become displaced fromthe cable abutment bracket on the engine.
Recall details for the 1998 Jaguar XK8 → · Check a 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. 27 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 XK8
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 | 56,552 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 10 | 40,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 11 | 61,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 23 | 55,100 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 32 | 56,950 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 30 | 61,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Jaguar XK8 have?
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 1998 Jaguar XK8 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Jaguar XK8 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (31% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 7.
Has the 1998 Jaguar XK8 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Jaguar XK8 get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Jaguar XK8 (XK8, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 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 XK8 reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,950 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 84,000 miles; 33% 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.