Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 1999 Jaguar XJ8 with NHTSA between 2004 and 2019.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 12
Against the median year of the Jaguar XJ8. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 94
18.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1999 Jaguar XJ8
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
545.5%
Median failure at 56,700 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
436.4%
Median failure at 94,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Airbags
19.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 170,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
444.4%
150,000+ miles
222.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2004peak 2Sep 2019
Recalls on the 1999 Jaguar XJ8
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19991134 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, potential fine cracks may be present between one or more gear teeth of the annulus within the epicycle geartrain inside the automatic transmission. This could result in breakage of the gear teeth with the potential of transmission "lock-up" at speeds below 24km/hr. Correction: Automatic transmission will be replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 170,000 milesDanville, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT RAN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE POLICE CAME AND DOCUMENTED THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE SHOULDER AND CHEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10501156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 170,000 milesPittsburg, CA
POWER TRAIN
MY 1999 JAGUAR XJ8 WAS FINE AND THEN I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE GEAR BOX FAULT COMING ON ONE DAY. AND THEN WHEN CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED LIGHT WENT AWAY. DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THEN CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY HOPING TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE AND THE GEAR BOX FAULT LIGHT IS ON. THEN WHILE IN D AND CAR WON'T MOVE UNTIL I GIVE IT GAS TO ABOUT 2000RPMS AND IT'LL CLUNK REAL LOUD AND STALL SOMETIME OR DRIVE VERY SLOWLY AND SLUGGISH. ANYWAYS MY CAR IS A 1999 AND THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER=99V138000 RECALL DATE OF 06/02/1999 AND ITS WITH THE POWERTRAIN SYSTEM. I DON'T THINK THAT ITS RIGHT FOR MY CAR TO NOT FALL UNDER THAT RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11255051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,906 milesOrange, NJ
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8000481749. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,906.
NHTSA complaint #11062182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesDanville, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT RAN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE POLICE CAME AND DOCUMENTED THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE SHOULDER AND CHEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10501156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cibolo, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
OUR 1999 JAGUAR XJ8 HAS HAD NUMEROUS THROTTLE BODY FAILURES. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY JAGUAR AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE. THE PROBLEM WITH FAILURE IS THAT IT CAUSES A STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE. IN FACT, MY WIFE HIT THE EDGE OF OUR GARAGE ENTRANCE WAY DO TO IT;S FAILURE. I HAVE CONTACTED JAGUAR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BY LETTER, EMAIL AND PHONE AND THEY APPEAR TO BE UNCONCERNED AND SUGGEST THAT I CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ONCE IT GOES BAD. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND REQUIRES THE ATTENTION OF YOUR OFFICE.
NHTSA complaint #10328223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,817 milesWinsor, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, THE PLASTIC SHEARS KEPT ENTERING INTO THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THE REPAIR COST OVER $1,000 AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 98,817.
NHTSA complaint #10262834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesMartinez, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT DRAMATICALLY LUNGES FORWARD. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT IS LOSING POWER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
NHTSA complaint #10247368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesChicago, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY FROM GEAR TO GEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3,800. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V138000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10221160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westlake Village, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LTR FM (CA) RE A DEFECTIVE PLASTIC TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER INSTALLED IN THEIR 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED PRIOR TO PURCHASING IT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10150845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,400 milesSalem, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ENGINE FAILURE `99 JAGUAR XJ8 VANDEN PLAAS ("LOWER ENGINE DISFUNCTION," DUE TO DEFICIENT TENSIONER MALFUNCTION PER DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS) AT 61,400 MILES. VEHICLE WELL MAINTAINED AND CHECKED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WE WERE SENT MANY WARNINGS AND SUGGESTIONS ABOUT OTHER MAINTENANCE OBJECTIVES, BUT A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH TENSIONERS WAS NEVER MENTIONED. WE KNOW OF WELL OVER A HUNDRED CASES. ONE DEALER TOLD US THEY SEE AT LEAST ONE CASE LIKE OURS A MONTH AND SUGGESTED THAT A LARGER DEALERSHIP IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA WOULD MAKE THEIR NUMBERS LOOK SKIMPY. THE IGNORANCE OF THIS PROBLEM HAS NEARLY CAUSED SOME CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF LIMB OR LIFE. IF THAT IN ITSELF FAILS TO MOVE THE NHTSA WE HAVE TO WONDER WHAT WILL. THERE ARE SEVERAL RESPECTED AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTS WHO CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY JAGUAR AND FORD HAVE NOT SOLVED THIS SITUATION (I.E. REPLACED THE FAULTY PARTS AND/OR TAKEN CARE OF THE COST OF INSTALLING A NEW POWER PLANT IN THE `98, `99, AND SOME `00 XJ8 MODELS). THIS VEHICLE IS STILL DISABLED BECAUSE WE HAD BEEN LED TO BELIEVE THAT A REP. FROM JAGUAR PLANNED ON "HELPING US OUT." AND, WE HAVE BEEN QUOTED A WIDE RANGE OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT COSTS, NONE BY FORMAL WRITTEN QUOTE, NOT EVEN THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY TEXT PROMISED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. WE FEEL JAGUAR NEEDS TO "COME TO THE TABLE" AS FAR AS THIS EXAMPLE OF POTENTIAL CONSUMER FRAUD AND REQUEST PROPER INVESTIGATION RELATIVE TO WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST RAMPANT DISREGARD FOR WHAT MOST CONSUMERS EXPECT WHEN BUYING A VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SALES PITCH CENTERS ON DEPENDABILITY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO RESULT FROM THE ACQUISITION OF JAGUAR BY FORD. THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED AND COULD HOLD UP IN ANY COURT IN VIRGINIA AS FAR AS STATING OUR CASE OF MISINFORMATION AND THE AFOREMENTIONED FALSE PROMISE. WE WOULD GLADLY "JOIN IN" AS FAR AS ANY CLASS ACTION IS CONCERNED YET ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE NHTSA WILL DO WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THEIR "DUE DILIGENCE."
NHTSA complaint #10146002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,418 milesWestlake Village, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL PAN AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE PLASTIC TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND JAMMED IN THE TIMING CHAIN WHICH CAUSED THE CHAIN TO BREAK IN HALF. THIS RESULTED IN THE VALVES BEING STUCK OPEN AND THE PISTONS TO COLLIDE. THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF SB X303-68 AND 303-30 WHICH ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM. *NM THE CONSUMER LEARNED A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. UPDATED 01/25/06
NHTSA complaint #10145837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesAlexandria, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1999 XJ-8 SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. PLASTIC SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE INTO PIECES, DISABLING ENGINE AND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. DAMAGE INCLUDED 3 VALVES, ONE CONSTANTLY VARIABLE VALVE TIMING UNIT (CVVT), TIMING CHAINS AND SPROCKETS. REQUIRED REMOVAL OF B BANK HEAD FOR MACHINING NECESSARY TO REPLACE VALVES AND REPAIR VALVE SEATS. NO TSB OR RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BY JAGUAR WITH REGARD TO THIS DESIGN DEFICIENCY. CONTACT WITH OTHER JAGUAR OWNERS HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS MANY OWNERS. JAGUAR REPAIR IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE ENGINE ($7,000-10,000). I REBUILT ENGINE MYSELF, AND CONTACTED JAGUAR TO QUESTION WHY REPLACEMENT OF THE TENSIONERS IS NOT SPECIFIED AT SOME REASONABLE INTERVAL TO PREVENT TENSIONER FAILURE. JAGUAR RESPONSE TO DATE HAS BEEN TO DENY THAT ANY DESIGN DEFICIENCY EXISTS. FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT WILL DISABLE THE ENGINE, AND IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT LEADING TO LOSS OF PROPERTY OR LIFE. COST TO REPAIR BY OWNER WAS OVER $3,000 (PARTS AND HEAD MACHINING); DEALER REPLACES ENTIRE ENGINE VICE REBUILD/REPLACE DAMAGED. COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10098805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.