Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Jaguar XJ8L problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

15 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

61,750 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 15 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation853.3%
Transmission and shifting426.7%
Braking behavior320.0%
Electrical and battery issues16.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling
3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine2
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash1
Engine1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys1
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights1

Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
10
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,99910
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2001
1
2003
4
2004
3
2005
2
2006
2
2007
1
2008
1
2013
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20011
20034
20043
20052
20062
20071
20081
20131

2001: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2013: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10014366 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)

MY VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AFTER ACCELERATING. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014366 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10038465 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK *PH *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 60,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038465 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10082283 · 2004-07-20 (July 20, 2004)

1) TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT 2) TOW TO MECHANIC 3) TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 62,000 MILES - 2ND OWNER - LESS THAN 6 MONTHS *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082283 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10146365 · 2005-12-29 (December 29, 2005)

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. I SPOK…

Owner-reported narrative. 72,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146365 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10012522 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)

THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC, MELTED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS TOO HOT. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 61,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012522 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10492906 · 2013-01-14 (January 14, 2013)

ABOUT 2-3 TIMES A MONTH, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (AND ONLY ON FREEWAYS, NEVER HAS THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS), ALWAYS ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON THE ROAD FROM A COLD START, MY ACCELERATOR WILL SUDDENLY FAIL TO RESPOND WHILE I'VE HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS DURING STEADY DRIVING OF 55-75 MPH. NO INDICATOR COMES ON AT THE TIME. I'M FORCED TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE MOMENTUM PROVIDED BY THE CAR AS I AM UNABLE TO GET ACCELERATION FROM THE PEDDLE. ONCE I BRAKE TO A STOP & PUT THE CAR IN PARK I GET AN "ENGINE FAILED" INDICATOR AND THE RED…

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10492906 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10150338 · 2006-02-15 (February 15, 2006)

1998 JAGUAR XJ8L CAR WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP AND START,HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF,INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TOP DRIVE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED I THOUGHT IT WAS A COMPUTER BOOT PROBLEM SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD COME AND GO AND WAS SO INTERMITTENT IT COULD NOT BE PICKED UP WHILE AT THE CAR SHOP, DOWNTOWN JAGUAR IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN. I AM A CONTROLS ENGINEER AND THOUGHT THAT I WOU…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150338 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

15 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

93.3%Usable mileage14 / 15 records
93.3%Valid incident date14 / 15 records
100.0%Valid filing date15 / 15 records
93.3%Ordered incident and filing dates14 / 15 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19981999
Engine And Engine Cooling
320.0%
ODI 10040883 · 66,800 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10040883 at NHTSA ↗

111.1%
ODI 10097160

WHILE DRIVING ,THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WA ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *JB

Look up ODI 10097160 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
320.0%
ODI 10082283 · 62,000 mi

1) TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT 2) TOW TO MECHANIC 3) TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 62,000 MILES - 2ND OWNER - LESS THAN 6 MONTHS *LA

Look up ODI 10082283 at NHTSA ↗

111.1%
ODI 10175605 · 86,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS, A NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GEARS SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED IF A TRANSMISSION CLEANING DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED.

Look up ODI 10175605 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
213.3%
ODI 10014366 · 32,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AFTER ACCELERATING. *NLM

Look up ODI 10014366 at NHTSA ↗

111.1%
ODI 10258371 · 87,815 mi

MY 99 XJ8L JAGUAR WOULDN'T START AND I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC--HE SAID 4 OF MY 8 CYLINDERS STOPPED WORKING AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I DID A VEHICLE SEARCH FOR MY CAR AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS ENGINE PROBLEMS FROM THE MANUFACTURER ITS CALLED THE NIKASIL PROBLEM - DOCUMENT NUMBERS ARE S491V6 OR V5. I NEED TO KNOW IF MY CAR FALL UNDER THIS PROBLEM. I KEPT UP WITH ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE SUGGESTIONS( OIL CHANGE,MILEAGE CHECKUPS)., AND MY ENGINE STILL FAILED AT 87715 MILES. *TR

Look up ODI 10258371 at NHTSA ↗

Engine
16.7%
ODI 10492906 · 60,000 mi

ABOUT 2-3 TIMES A MONTH, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (AND ONLY ON FREEWAYS, NEVER HAS THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS), ALWAYS ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON THE ROAD FROM A COLD START, MY ACCELERATOR WILL SUDDENLY FAIL TO RESPOND WHILE I'VE HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS DURING STEADY DRIVING OF 55-75 MPH. NO INDICATOR COMES ON AT THE TIME. I'M FORCED TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE MOMENTUM PROVIDED BY THE CAR AS I AM UNABLE TO GET ACCELERATION FROM THE PEDDLE. ONCE I BRAKE TO A STOP & PUT THE CAR IN PARK I GET AN "ENGINE FAILED" INDICATOR AND THE RED…

Look up ODI 10492906 at NHTSA ↗

111.1%
ODI 10546670 · 143,000 mi

WAS ON US I-280 NORTHBOUND AT ABOUT 8 P.M., GOING PREVAILING SPEED, GOING TO A SOCIAL MEETING, BUT WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTOR. HEARD LOUD POP AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD ABRUPTLY, THEN ENGINE BEGAN TO RATTLE, SMOKE AND BURNT RUBBER/OIL SMELL BEGAN TO INVADE CABIN. HUSBAND TURNED OFF ENGINE AND COASTED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND UP EXIT RAMP SHOULDER. TOOK THE CAR TO DELONG'S AUTO REPAIR, THE ONLY KNOWN AUTHORIZED JAGUAR SERVICE CENTER FOR AT LEAST 50 MILES IN ANY DIRECTION. OWNER, CHIEF MECHANIC, [XXX] SAID WE HAD AN ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE TEMPERA…

Look up ODI 10546670 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

111.1%
ODI 10019658 · 57,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMERS SUNROOF AUTOMATICALLY OPENED AND A BURNING SMELL PERMEATED THE COCKPIT. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY CUT THE ENGINE OFF AND PULLED ALL THE FUSES OUT, HOWEVER A FEW MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE TURNED INTO FIRE. IT SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE SUNROOF BUTTON CLUSTER. THE FORENSIC SPECIALIST SAID THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS THE SUNROOF CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER INFORMED JAGUAR OF NORTH AMERICA, HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED AND WOULD NOT FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILED MODULE. *CB A FIRE REPORT IS ENCLOSED. ALSO THE RIG…

Look up ODI 10019658 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
16.7%
ODI 10150338 · 40,000 mi

1998 JAGUAR XJ8L CAR WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP AND START,HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF,INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TOP DRIVE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED I THOUGHT IT WAS A COMPUTER BOOT PROBLEM SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD COME AND GO AND WAS SO INTERMITTENT IT COULD NOT BE PICKED UP WHILE AT THE CAR SHOP, DOWNTOWN JAGUAR IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN. I AM A CONTROLS ENGINEER AND THOUGHT THAT I WOU…

Look up ODI 10150338 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
16.7%
ODI 10211798 · 60,895 mi

MY 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L KEEPS STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VERY VERY DANGEROUS. I AM ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT ON 95 EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS. THE DEALER HAS SAID IT IS A DIRTY THROTTLE THAT MAY BE CAUSING THIS, BUT EVEN AFTER SERVICING IT JUST STARTS UP AGAIN...AFTER INVESTIGATING HERE ON THE WEB I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME BACK ON SEPTEMBER 2004, WHEN MY ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY FROZE UP ON 95 AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $15,874.00. THIS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECA…

Look up ODI 10211798 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
16.7%
ODI 10116597 · 105,000 mi

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS FOR MY 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L HAVE DISINTEGRATED IN THE ENGINE. LUCKILY WE FOUND THE PIECES IN THE OIL CHANGE BEFORE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. BUT THIS IS CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO REBUILD THIS AREA OF THE ENGINE. JAGUAR HAS ALL BUT ADMITTED INSTALLING FAULTY PARTS BY REVISING THIS PART TWICE, ONCE WITH A REINFORCED PLASTIC TENSIONER WITH A SPRING, AND FINALLY WITH A METAL TENSIONER THAT WILL NOT BREAK OR CRACK UNDER THE STRESS OF TENSIONING THE TIMING CHAIN.*AK

Look up ODI 10116597 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Engine And Engine CoolingToo few reports for a range66,800 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10040883 · 66,800 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10040883 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10057140 · 20,000 mi

MY 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L CONTINUALLY STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEED...JAGUAR KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND USES IT AS A SOURCE OF CASH FLOW, CHARGING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS EACH 10,000 MILES TO REMEDY THE SITUATION THROUGH REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY OR CLEANING OF THE BREATHER PORTS...THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED.*AK

Look up ODI 10057140 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10078731 · 67,800 mi

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. LAST JULY (2003) A LOCAL JAGUAR DEALER RE…

Look up ODI 10078731 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Automatic TransmissionToo few reports for a range72,400 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10082283 · 62,000 mi

1) TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT 2) TOW TO MECHANIC 3) TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 62,000 MILES - 2ND OWNER - LESS THAN 6 MONTHS *LA

Look up ODI 10082283 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10146365 · 72,400 mi

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. I SPOK…

Look up ODI 10146365 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10147631 · 72,500 mi

THIS IS A SECOND ENTRANCE FOR THIS COMPLAINT. THE FIRST ENTRANCE WAS A MISTAKE DUE TO WRONG DATE OF PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2005. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A CARFAX WITH THE VEHICLES HISTORY. I DID HAVE A PASSENGER AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE AND ALMOST HAD A WRECK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT AN INTERSECTION. MY PASSENGERS COMPLAINED OF A STRAINED NECK POSSIBLY WHIPLASH? ANYWAY THE DESCRIPTION IS LISTED BELOW: I OWN A 1998 XJ8L. RECENTLY, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. I ONLY HAVE 72,500 MI…

Look up ODI 10147631 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineToo few reports for a range46,080 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10014366 · 32,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AFTER ACCELERATING. *NLM

Look up ODI 10014366 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10038465 · 60,160 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK *PH *NLM

Look up ODI 10038465 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under DashToo few reports for a range40,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10150338 · 40,000 mi

1998 JAGUAR XJ8L CAR WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP AND START,HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF,INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TOP DRIVE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED I THOUGHT IT WAS A COMPUTER BOOT PROBLEM SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD COME AND GO AND WAS SO INTERMITTENT IT COULD NOT BE PICKED UP WHILE AT THE CAR SHOP, DOWNTOWN JAGUAR IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN. I AM A CONTROLS ENGINEER AND THOUGHT THAT I WOU…

Look up ODI 10150338 at NHTSA ↗

EngineToo few reports for a range60,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10492906 · 60,000 mi

ABOUT 2-3 TIMES A MONTH, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (AND ONLY ON FREEWAYS, NEVER HAS THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS), ALWAYS ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON THE ROAD FROM A COLD START, MY ACCELERATOR WILL SUDDENLY FAIL TO RESPOND WHILE I'VE HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS DURING STEADY DRIVING OF 55-75 MPH. NO INDICATOR COMES ON AT THE TIME. I'M FORCED TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE MOMENTUM PROVIDED BY THE CAR AS I AM UNABLE TO GET ACCELERATION FROM THE PEDDLE. ONCE I BRAKE TO A STOP & PUT THE CAR IN PARK I GET AN "ENGINE FAILED" INDICATOR AND THE RED…

Look up ODI 10492906 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemToo few reports for a range60,895 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10211798 · 60,895 mi

MY 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L KEEPS STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VERY VERY DANGEROUS. I AM ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT ON 95 EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS. THE DEALER HAS SAID IT IS A DIRTY THROTTLE THAT MAY BE CAUSING THIS, BUT EVEN AFTER SERVICING IT JUST STARTS UP AGAIN...AFTER INVESTIGATING HERE ON THE WEB I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME BACK ON SEPTEMBER 2004, WHEN MY ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY FROZE UP ON 95 AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $15,874.00. THIS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECA…

Look up ODI 10211798 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated PulleysToo few reports for a range105,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10116597 · 105,000 mi

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS FOR MY 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L HAVE DISINTEGRATED IN THE ENGINE. LUCKILY WE FOUND THE PIECES IN THE OIL CHANGE BEFORE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. BUT THIS IS CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO REBUILD THIS AREA OF THE ENGINE. JAGUAR HAS ALL BUT ADMITTED INSTALLING FAULTY PARTS BY REVISING THIS PART TWICE, ONCE WITH A REINFORCED PLASTIC TENSIONER WITH A SPRING, AND FINALLY WITH A METAL TENSIONER THAT WILL NOT BREAK OR CRACK UNDER THE STRESS OF TENSIONING THE TIMING CHAIN.*AK

Look up ODI 10116597 at NHTSA ↗

Exterior Lighting:Brake LightsToo few reports for a range61,500 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10012522 · 61,500 mi

THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC, MELTED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS TOO HOT. *NLM

Look up ODI 10012522 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1998: 1 complaints · 1999: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1998111
1999000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
19981410
1999900

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train:Automatic TransmissionEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineElectrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under DashEngineEngine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated PulleysExterior Lighting:Brake Lights
Engine And Engine Cooling—0000000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission0—000000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine00—00000
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash000—0000
Engine0000—000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System00000—00
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys000000—0
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

2 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

8 mentions · 53.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 60,528 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10014366 · 32,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AFTER ACCELERATING. *NLM

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ODI 10038465 · 60,160 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK *PH *NLM

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ODI 10040883 · 66,800 mi

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.

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Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 6.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 559543

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT LEFT FENDER LINER BEGAN RUBBING THE TIRE AND THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR LOUD GRINDING NOISE, THIS RUBBING CAUSED THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL TO LOCK UP, DESTROYED THE WHEEL BEARING AND RESULTED IN BRAKE FAILURE. NLM LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING COMPLETELY FAILED, THE CALIPER AND ROTOR WERE CAUSING MOST OF THE NOISE, THE ROTOR HAD GRINDED ABOUT 3/16 OF AN INCH OF METAL AWAY FROM CALIPER MOUNT BRACKET, DEALER CHECKED RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND FOUND IT WAS LOOSE BUT HAD NOT CAME APART, DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT AXLE WHEEL BEARINGS…

Look up ODI 559543 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b