Model year record

1997 Jaguar XK8 recalls & problems

The 1997 Jaguar XK8 has 2 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (10 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints30filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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).

SuspensionMar 20, 1997

Rear

Recall 97V0450002,303 vehicles

Problem: THE DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT SHAFT RETAINING RINGS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION CAN BECOME DISPLACED ALLOWING THE OUTPUT SHAFT TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT.
Risk: IF THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEPARATES, THE REAR SUSPENSION WOULD COLLAPSE ON THE AFFECTED SIDE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL SERIAL NUMBER AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE NECESSARY PARTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	10	0	52,802 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	5	0	—
Vehicle speed control	4	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Wheel bearing	3	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Head restraint	3	1	101,986 mi
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Interior; Rearview mirrors/devices	2	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	2	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	2	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery	2	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	0	—
Service brakes, airAntilock	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND SLOWING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Aug 16, 2018 · 142,000 miles
SeatsFire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVERS SEAT SUDDENLY BEGAN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE SEAT BACK LEANING FORWARD AS WELL. THIS FORCED ME UP AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST CRUSHING ME. I TRIED TO USE THE SEAT CONTROLS TO STOP THE MOVEMENT AND RETURN THE SEAT TO IT'S PROPER POSITION BUT THE SWITCH OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. *TR
Oct 27, 2014 · 146,023 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 JAGUAR XK8 ON POLARIS PARKWAY @50MPH, THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. I HAD TO WEAVE OUT OF THE MIDDLE LANE IN ORDER TO REDUCE A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT.. *TR THE LOCAL JAGUAR DEALER TESTED AND REPORTED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED THUS CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER...DURING THE DEALER TEST DRIVE, THE CAR ALSO LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY #670.. DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE, JAGUAR SHOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS..
May 16, 2012 · 61,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JAGUAR XK8. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOPPING CENTER AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, SHE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TENSION BAR FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $18,000. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,604. UPDATED 04/28/09.*JB
Mar 5, 2009 · 44,604 miles
Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
1997 JAGUAR XK8 RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT RIGHT TIRE LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. HE WOULD LIKE MORE INFO AND INVESTIGATION OF THIS PROBLEM. *KB THE RIGHT FRONT ROLLER BEARING FAILED. *JB
Mar 3, 2008
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED, BROKEN CHAIN, BENT VALVES. JAG SERVICE SAID '97 XK8 HAD FAULTY TENSIONERS. MOST WARRANTY REPLACED. MANY NHTSA COMPLAINTS & TSB'S ON THIS FAILURE. JAG. IS AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. JAG. AGREED TO PAY FOR 1/2 REPAIR, IF I BOUGHT A NEW JAG. NOT ACCEPTABLE! DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED ON THE FREEWAY FOR JAG TO TAKE NOTICE! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM! NOT JUST SERVICE BULLETINS! BOTH SERVICE AND SALES SAID THAT THESE TENSIONERS WILL FAIL! REVISED TENSIONERS WERE USED ON LATER MODELS! *JB
Mar 12, 2006 · 61,000 miles
Electrical system
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT STALLED THREE TIMES IN TWO WEEKS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FOREIGN VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. *AK THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *SC *JB
Jun 28, 2004 · 20,700 miles
Electrical system
CAR STALLS (CUTS OUT) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FIRST 2 TIMES I HAD TO LET IT STOP, TURN OFF AND RESTART. THE LAST INSTANCE JUST AS I WAS TRYING TO PULL OVER IT RESTARTED. *AK
Jul 21, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.