Model year record

1998 Jaguar XK8 recalls & problems

The 1998 Jaguar XK8 has 2 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (11 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints32filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported 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).

Vehicle speed controlFeb 12, 1998

Vehicle speed control

Recall 98V0220005,379 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LIMITED OPENING OF THE THROTTLE WILL OCCUR, EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND MODIFY THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.

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.

Fuel economy

XK8 Convertible

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

XK8

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	11	0	44,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)	7	0	57,800 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	4	0	84,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module	4	0	—
Fuel system, other	3	0	72,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	0	—
SuspensionFront	2	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	2	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	1	—
Wheels	1	0	—
Seats	1	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
WOULD NOT START, BATTERY RUN DOWN IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK. STATIONARY
Apr 28, 2018 · 110,572 miles
Engine
WHY HASN'T JAGUAR BEEN ORDERED TO RECALL THE 1997 THROUGH 2002 1/2 MODELS FOR THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER PLASTIC GUIDE ISSUE? IT HAS BEEN REPORTED HERE IN THE PAST, AND IS WIDELY KNOWN ACROSS THE INTERNET. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHY NHTSA HASN'T CONSIDERED THIS DESIGN DEFECT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Oct 23, 2014 · 38,500 miles
Power train
TL* 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.
Aug 23, 2011 · 50,600 miles
Fuel system, other
1998 XK8 STALLED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIRD INCIDENT. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE; NO REPAIR SUGGESTIONS. *TR
Apr 25, 2010 · 72,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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. IN BOTH CASES, I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF, AND WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE CAR. NO FURTHER INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THE MINUTES/DAYS FOLLOWING THE EVENTS. I…
Mar 15, 2010 · 60,000 miles
Visibility
MY REAR VISION MIRROR FAILED. IT FOGGED UP AND BEGAN LEAKING AN OILY SUBSTANCE. I COULDN'T SEE; IT WAS RAINING AND I HAD A PERILOUS JOURNEY HOME. *TR
Apr 16, 2009 · 84,000 miles
Fuel system, other
1998 JAGUAR XK8 HAS A HISTORY OF STALLING ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OF 55-60MPH. THIS OCCURRED TWICE (PRIOR OWNER - 38,246 MILES) - PRIOR OWNER TOLD BY JAGUAR THAT AUTOMOBILE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY REPLACING THROTTLE. SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AT LATER. ON-LINE INFORMATION SHOWS THAT SEVERAL OTHER 1998 XK8 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE THAT ENGINE TURNS OFF WITHOUT WARNING - THE CAR HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS REGARDING THE THROTTLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE NHTSB HAS NOT FORCED JAGUAR TO REPAIR THIS 1998 XK8. THE MODEL, 1998 JAGUAR XK8, HAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IS A SAFETY RISK. *TR
Oct 20, 2008 · 85,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
TL*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.
Mar 1, 2009 · 65,000 miles

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