1998 Jaguar XK8 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 22%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Jaguar XK8, 22% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,800 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“The vehicle stalled intermittently without warning. The gear shift failed to come out of park. Also the antenna and power mirror switch was replaced and the coolant light illuminated.”
NHTSA complaint #10024136, filed 2003-07, 12,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Jaguar XK8. The contact stated that the transmission is failing and is not shifting gears correctly. The vehicle will be towed to the dealer. The manufacturer stated that they were not aware of NHTSA campaign id number 99v138000 (power train: automatic transmission). The current and failure mileages were 65,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10262150, filed 2009-03, 65,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Jaguar XK8. The contact stated that when driving between 35-50 MPH, there was a growling noise coming from the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitant when accelerating and the noise does would not stop until the vehicle reached 50 MPH and above. The contact stated that the failure would also occur when decelerating. The dealer inspected the vehicle and assumed that the planetary gears were failing and that the transmission should be replaced. The failure mileage was 50,600 and the current mileage was 50,700.”
NHTSA complaint #10426888, filed 2011-09, 50,600 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Jaguar XK8. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact heard a loud sound underneath the vehicle. He was unable to shift into any gear. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and it was discovered that there was a lock-up in the automatic gear box. In addition, the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle currently is not operable. The authorized dealer ordered the replacement transmission. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10239821, filed 2008-08, 110,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Jaguar XK8
10 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Jaguar XK8
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology