U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Jaguar XK8: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

30 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

61,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 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 4 of 30 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Engine operation	9	30.0%
Steering behavior	4	13.3%
Transmission and shifting	2	6.7%
Braking behavior	2	6.7%

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

Vehicle Speed Control

Electrical System

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Suspension:Front

Unknown Or Other

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Engine And Engine Cooling	4
Vehicle Speed Control	4
Electrical System	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	2
Suspension:Front	2
Unknown Or Other	2

Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 16 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.

1997

1999

2001

2002

2003

2004

2006

2008

2009

2012

2014

2018

1997: 2; 1999: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 5; 2003: 4; 2004: 8; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 10021366 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)

1997 JAGUAR XK8 SUDDENLY STALLS OUT COMPLETELY DURING FREEWAY DRIVING. OTHER LISTINGS AT NHTSA REGARDING THIS. POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE AS THE CAR CANNOT BE STEERED OFF THE ROAD EASILY. NO WARNING OF FAILURE - RESULTING IN FOLLOWING TRAFFIC HAVING TO BREAK LANE SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE STALLED JAG. THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS STUFF.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 66,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021366 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10022791 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING AT LOS ANGELES FREEWAY AT 55MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE GOT SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022791 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10025481 · 2003-07-06 (July 6, 2003)

THE 1/4" THICK STEEL BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME AND HAVE HOLES FOR THE SEAT FRAME TO BE BOLTED TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR SHEARED OFF (I.E. COMPLETELY FAILED) WHILE DRIVING. THE SEAT BECAME UNATTACHED AT THE FRONT CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROCK BACKWARD LEAVING THE HEADREST ON THE BACK SEAT.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 101,986 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025481 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10044285 · 2003-11-19 (November 19, 2003)

REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS TURNED BLACK, AND CANNOT BE USED SAFELY. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE "FLUID" IS BAD IN THE MIRROR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *PH *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044285 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10064658 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WORN OUT SHUT OFF VALVE PART. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064658 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10067377 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS MADE WITH A PLASTIC COATING THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED IN LATER MODELS. *AK *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067377 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068129 · 2004-04-30 (April 30, 2004)

JAGUAR HAS 40,000 L997 MODEL XK8 SOLD FOR $75,0000. NEEDS NEW ENGINE! DEALER WONT TAKE OF EXPENSE OF REPLACING IT. WEB SAYS THEY HAVE FAULTY TENSIONERS, AND CYLINDER LINERS. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068129 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068417 · 2004-05-06 (May 6, 2004)

NORMAL CRUISING HIGHWAY SPEED, LET OFF THE ACCELARATOR AND CAR STALLS. HAVE TO WEAVE MY WAY OUT OF TRAFFIC AS CAR IS DECELERATING. HAD TO COME TO FULL STOP AND THEN ATTEMPTED RESTART WITH NO PROBLEMS. HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS, LUCKILY LIGHT TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY AT ALL TIMES.

Owner-reported narrative. 79,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068417 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

97V045000 · Suspension:Rear

Reported: 1997-03-20 (March 20, 1997)

THE DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT SHAFT RETAINING RINGS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION CAN BECOME DISPLACED ALLOWING THE OUTPUT SHAFT TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL SERIAL NUMBER AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE NECESSARY PARTS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

30 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

46.7%Usable mileage14 / 30 records

90.0%Valid incident date27 / 30 records

100.0%Valid filing date30 / 30 records

90.0%Ordered incident and filing dates27 / 30 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Vehicle Speed Control	413.3% ODI 10064658 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WORN OUT SHUT OFF VALVE PART. *AK Look up ODI 10064658 at NHTSA ↗	39.4% ODI 10097751 · 56,950 mi CONSUME RECEIVED RECALL 99V138000 FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A TEST AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE THROTTLE BODY, AND THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, AND THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE NEW PARTS. DEALER WAS INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO MAKING REPAIRS TO THE THROTTLE BODY. *AK Look up ODI 10097751 at NHTSA ↗	313.0% ODI 10160994 · 58,000 mi DT*:THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING DUE TO A TENSIONER FAILURE ON THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND SUNNY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT NOR POLICE REPORT FILED. Look up ODI 10160994 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	220.0% ODI 10124732 · 29,000 mi 2001 JAGUAR XK8 EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED.MR AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE WHICH WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF HIS. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE OTHER PERSONS VEHICLE. NM Look up ODI 10124732 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	26.7% ODI 608651 TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH Look up ODI 608651 at NHTSA ↗	39.4% ODI 10032497 PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS UPON REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO SIT AND GO BACK INTO DRIVE UNTIL IT WORKS. TWICE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY (70) MPH THE CAR HAD JUST STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AFTER GETTING IT OFF THE LANE AND NUMEROUS TRIES IT STARTED AGAIN. MR CB *JB Look up ODI 10032497 at NHTSA ↗	417.4% ODI 10017924 · 64,672 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 10MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF ACCELERATION ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END COLLISON. JB TS Look up ODI 10017924 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	310.0% ODI 10081415 · 20,700 mi 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 Look up ODI 10081415 at NHTSA ↗	26.3% ODI 10236623 · 40,000 mi 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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED JAGUAR D… Look up ODI 10236623 at NHTSA ↗	14.3% ODI 10267107 · 53,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY MODULE, ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND SPARK PLUGS. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A LYMPH MODE. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. Look up ODI 10267107 at NHTSA ↗	19.1% ODI 10614764 · 92,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY KNEE BUMPED THE IGNITION/KEY AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO HANDLE THE DANGEROUS SITUATION. AFTER SEEING ALL THE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH GM AND CHRYSLER THOUGHT I SHOULD DROP YOU A LINE. *TR Look up ODI 10614764 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10074018 PROBLEMS WITH WIND NOISE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. MR THE FRONT DOOR WAS HARD TO OPEN, THE J GATE CLICKED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKING, AIR LEAKED IN THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW ALONG WITH NOISE, THERE WAS A HUM NOISE WHEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND THE CENTER CONSOLE LIGHT FLASHED. SC *JB Look up ODI 10074018 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	413.3% ODI 10021366 · 66,800 mi 1997 JAGUAR XK8 SUDDENLY STALLS OUT COMPLETELY DURING FREEWAY DRIVING. OTHER LISTINGS AT NHTSA REGARDING THIS. POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE AS THE CAR CANNOT BE STEERED OFF THE ROAD EASILY. NO WARNING OF FAILURE - RESULTING IN FOLLOWING TRAFFIC HAVING TO BREAK LANE SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE STALLED JAG. THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS STUFF.*AK Look up ODI 10021366 at NHTSA ↗	26.3% ODI 10236623 · 40,000 mi 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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED JAGUAR D… Look up ODI 10236623 at NHTSA ↗	14.3% ODI 10267107 · 53,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY MODULE, ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND SPARK PLUGS. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A LYMPH MODE. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. Look up ODI 10267107 at NHTSA ↗	19.1% ODI 10103387 VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE HAD BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKES. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK Look up ODI 10103387 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	26.7% ODI 10068129 · 43,000 mi JAGUAR HAS 40,000 L997 MODEL XK8 SOLD FOR $75,0000. NEEDS NEW ENGINE! DEALER WONT TAKE OF EXPENSE OF REPLACING IT. WEB SAYS THEY HAVE FAULTY TENSIONERS, AND CYLINDER LINERS. *LA Look up ODI 10068129 at NHTSA ↗	39.4% ODI 10024136 · 12,000 mi THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING.AK THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO COME OUT OF PARK. TS ALSO THE ANTENNA AND POWER MIRROR SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB Look up ODI 10024136 at NHTSA ↗	313.0% ODI 10074708 · 20,000 mi MY LOW (20,000) MILEAGE BUT OUT-OF-WARRANTY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY (NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER) THREW ITS TIMING CHAIN, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE CHAIN AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO THE ENGINE. A DAMAGED ENGINE WILL COST MORE THAN $10,000 TO REPLACE. BASED ON WEB RESEARCH, ITS A NOT-UNCOMMON PROBLEM (WITH THE TIMING CHAIN) THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE SUFFERED, REGARDLESS OF SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE, WHICH THE COMPANY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND ADDRESS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS SERVICE ADVISES THAT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM BUT STILL THEY REFUSE TO TAKE… Look up ODI 10074708 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	310.0% ODI 558815 VEHICLE HAS STALLED 7 TIMES IN THE LAST 20 MONTHS, DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT PROBLEM ON FOUR OCCASIONS. *CJ Look up ODI 558815 at NHTSA ↗	39.4% ODI 10088188 · 40,000 mi I PURCHASED A USED 1998 JAGUAR XK8 WITH 40000 MILES IN NOV 2004. IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER IN LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS, AND THAY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BUT CHARGED ME $1,600.00 FOR SERVICE THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY. WITHIN WEEKS IT AGAIN BEGAN DYING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WOULD NOT RE-START WITHOUT PULLING OFF THE ROAD, WHICH IS AT TIMES IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO I-30 BEING UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND HAVING NO SHOULDER OR EXITS, ONLY 6-FOOT CONCRETE BARRIERS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE… Look up ODI 10088188 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	39.4% ODI 10088188 · 40,000 mi I PURCHASED A USED 1998 JAGUAR XK8 WITH 40000 MILES IN NOV 2004. IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER IN LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS, AND THAY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BUT CHARGED ME $1,600.00 FOR SERVICE THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY. WITHIN WEEKS IT AGAIN BEGAN DYING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WOULD NOT RE-START WITHOUT PULLING OFF THE ROAD, WHICH IS AT TIMES IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO I-30 BEING UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND HAVING NO SHOULDER OR EXITS, ONLY 6-FOOT CONCRETE BARRIERS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE… Look up ODI 10088188 at NHTSA ↗	14.3% ODI 10124349 · 72,000 mi SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS DUE TO THE STABLIITY CONTROL CHIP LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE BODY GOING BAD. WHEN THE WHEELS BREAK LOOSE, A SENSOR SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE CHIP IN THE THROTTLE BODY TO SLOW THE ENGINE SO IT DOES NOT OVER-REV. THIS CHIP ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IS MALFUNCTIONING AND 'FIRING' ON ITS OWN RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED. THIS FIRST OCCURRED 18 MONTHS AGO AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ($1800). IT JUST STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND THE NEW THROTTLE BODY ONLY HAD 13K MILES ON IT. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE AGAIN AND… Look up ODI 10124349 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10218141 · 21,700 mi THERE IS A COMMON THROTTLE BODY FAILURE IN 2002 JAGUARS. WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS, THE CAR GOES INTO "FAIL SAFE" MODE AND REDUCES SPEED TO 30 MPH, CREATING A HAZARD ON HIGHWAYS WITH LIMITED ACCESS. INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE OF AN NON-WEAR COMPONENT, AND REPRESENTS A FACTORY DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR Look up ODI 10218141 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	13.3% ODI 10067377 · 39,000 mi WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS MADE WITH A PLASTIC COATING THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED IN LATER MODELS. AK NM Look up ODI 10067377 at NHTSA ↗	26.3% ODI 10104810 · 49,000 mi 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.*AK Look up ODI 10104810 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 10225503 · 36,425 mi FAILURE OF THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS. THIS RESULTS IN THE NEED FOR A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE ENGINE. I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THESE SINCE IT IS POORLY DESIGNED. WHEN YOU RESEARCH THIS ON THE NET, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO JAGUAR OWNERS AND OCCURS TOO FREQUENTLY FOR IT TO BE CHANCE. COST OF INSPECTION AND FIX PRIOR TO FAILURE ABOUT $1200, PRICE AFTER FAILURE $3,000 PLUS. *TR Look up ODI 10225503 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	66,800 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10021366 · 66,800 mi 1997 JAGUAR XK8 SUDDENLY STALLS OUT COMPLETELY DURING FREEWAY DRIVING. OTHER LISTINGS AT NHTSA REGARDING THIS. POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE AS THE CAR CANNOT BE STEERED OFF THE ROAD EASILY. NO WARNING OF FAILURE - RESULTING IN FOLLOWING TRAFFIC HAVING TO BREAK LANE SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE STALLED JAG. THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS STUFF.AK Look up ODI 10021366 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10068998 · 87,000 mi PLASTIC GUIDE ON TIMING CHAIN BROKE,WHICH BROKE TIMING CHAIN,WHICH BROKE 2 VALVES AND SCOURED THE PISTON AND CYLINDER WALL. Look up ODI 10068998 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10261454 · 44,604 mi TLTHE 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. U… Look up ODI 10261454 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	101,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10466913 · 61,000 mi 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.. Look up ODI 10466913 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11120451 · 142,000 mi 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 142,00… Look up ODI 11120451 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	40,850 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10081415 · 20,700 mi 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 Look up ODI 10081415 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10466913 · 61,000 mi 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.. Look up ODI 10466913 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	52,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10068129 · 43,000 mi JAGUAR HAS 40,000 L997 MODEL XK8 SOLD FOR $75,0000. NEEDS NEW ENGINE! DEALER WONT TAKE OF EXPENSE OF REPLACING IT. WEB SAYS THEY HAVE FAULTY TENSIONERS, AND CYLINDER LINERS. LA Look up ODI 10068129 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10153626 · 61,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10153626 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2002: 2 complaints · 2003: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2002	1	1	2
2003	1	2	2

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2002	3	0	1
2003	4	1	1

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
Component	Engine And Engine Cooling	Vehicle Speed Control	Electrical System	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Suspension:Front	Unknown Or Other
Engine And Engine Cooling	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	0	—	1 ODI 10466913 · 61,000 mi 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.. Look up ODI 10466913 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	1 ODI 10466913 · 61,000 mi 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.. Look up ODI 10466913 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 741349 3 TIMES WHILE TRAVELING 55 TO 60 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. EACH TIME I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND UNSUCCESFULLY ATTEMPTED A ROLLING RESTART. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AT THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE A SUCCESSFUL RESTART AND RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. THE LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WHILE IN TRAFFIC IS A DISCONCERTING EXPERIENCE. I WAS NOT GOING TO REPORT IT, HOWEVER I FOUND MYSELF DOING SOME RESEARCH ON YOUR WEBSITE WHERE I FOUND THAT THIS SAME… Look up ODI 741349 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	1 ODI 741349 3 TIMES WHILE TRAVELING 55 TO 60 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. EACH TIME I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND UNSUCCESFULLY ATTEMPTED A ROLLING RESTART. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AT THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE A SUCCESSFUL RESTART AND RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. THE LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WHILE IN TRAFFIC IS A DISCONCERTING EXPERIENCE. I WAS NOT GOING TO REPORT IT, HOWEVER I FOUND MYSELF DOING SOME RESEARCH ON YOUR WEBSITE WHERE I FOUND THAT THIS SAME… Look up ODI 741349 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Suspension:Front	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 769599 FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT UNITS REPLACED - ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE REPLACED ECM UNIT TO BE REPLACED - CAR NOW AT DEALER 11/11/02. DT Look up ODI 769599 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 769599 FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT UNITS REPLACED - ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE REPLACED ECM UNIT TO BE REPLACED - CAR NOW AT DEALER 11/11/02. DT Look up ODI 769599 at NHTSA ↗	—

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.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

10 mentions · 33.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 63,900 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10021366 · 66,800 mi

Look up ODI 10021366 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10064658

Look up ODI 10064658 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10067377 · 39,000 mi

Look up ODI 10067377 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 6.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 20,224 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10073240 · 20,224 mi

AFTER SPOTTING FLUID ON THE FLOOR, I CHECKED THE LEVELS IN THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW. AFTER FILLING THE PS RESERVIOR, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER, SINCE THE JAGUAR DEALER WAS 225 MILES AWAY. THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A GOOD THING I DIDN'T DRIVE IT VERY FAR, SINCE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PUMP AND RACK-AND-PINION STEERING TO FAIL. A REPLACEMENT HOSE WAS INSTALLED, BUT IT WAS A NEW DESIGN THAT, COINCIDENTALLY, ROUTED THE HOSE AWAY FROM THE ENGINE M…

Look up ODI 10073240 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 741349

3 TIMES WHILE TRAVELING 55 TO 60 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. EACH TIME I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND UNSUCCESFULLY ATTEMPTED A ROLLING RESTART. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AT THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE A SUCCESSFUL RESTART AND RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. THE LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WHILE IN TRAFFIC IS A DISCONCERTING EXPERIENCE. I WAS NOT GOING TO REPORT IT, HOWEVER I FOUND MYSELF DOING SOME RESEARCH ON YOUR WEBSITE WHERE I FOUND THAT THIS SAME…

Look up ODI 741349 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 3.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 846623

WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES VEHICLES PULLS REAL HARD TO THE LEFT, WHICH JERKS THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF DRIVER'S HAND. *AK

Look up ODI 846623 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule