FaultScore

Jaguar XJ8 engine problems

57 of the 235 complaints filed about the Jaguar XJ8 are about the engine — 24% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.

57

Complaints

24%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

2

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1998 XJ8 38 66.7%

Median failure at 68,350 miles

1999 XJ8 5 8.8%

Median failure at 56,700 miles

2001 XJ8 3 5.3%

Median failure at 73,000 miles

2002 XJ8 1 1.8%

Median failure at 115,000 miles

2004 XJ8 9 15.8%

Median failure at 73,280 miles

2005 XJ8 1 1.8%

What owners said

2004 Jaguar XJ8 at 204,000 miles Mount Pleasant, NC Fire

ENGINE

THE CAR COUGHT ON FIRE

NHTSA complaint #11208433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 80,000 miles Reno, NV

ENGINE

SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN BROKE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IN ADDITION TO ENGINE DAMAGE

NHTSA complaint #11155354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Jaguar XJ8 at 15,483 miles Sutton, MA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM, DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND ENGINE FAILURE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,483.

NHTSA complaint #11127885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Jaguar XJ8 NEW Caney, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JAGUAR XJ8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT UP AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11081032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Jaguar XJ8 at 115,000 miles Houston, TX

ENGINE

LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING OUR CAR IS DRIVEN BY MY GIRLFRIEND WHO LITERALLY DRIVES LIKE A GRANDMA. FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED IS OUR TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT APPROX 95,000 MILES. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR OUR CAR SO WE LUMPED IT AND PAID FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. AFTER THIS IT WAS THE REAR MAIN SEAL AND THE UPPER OIL PAN GASKET WHICH WAS LEAKING SO WE HAD THAT REPLACED. EVEN BEFORE THAT WE USED TO GET A "COOLANT LOW" MESSAGE REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF COOLANT IN THE CAR. TURNS OUT THE COOLANT PROBLEM WAS WAY WORSE THAN THE TRANSMISSION. AT LEAST THE TRANNY WORKED AFTER PAYING FOR IT. THE ENGINE COOLANT PROBLEM HAS BEEN PASSED FROM ONE MECHANIC TO ANOTHER TOTALING 4 DIFFERENT ONES NOW. WE HAVE REPLACED THE ELECTRIC RADIATOR FANS, WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. WE THOUGHT THERE COULD BE NOTHING ELSE WRONG. THEN ON OUR WAY OUT OF TOWN THE OTHER DAY WE SAW THE COOLANT MESSAGE AGAIN. WE ALWAYS STOP AND CHECK AND THIS TIME THERE WAS SOME FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RESERVOIR. BEFORE WE COULD GET IT BACK TO A MECHANIC, THE RESERVOIR EXPLODED AND THE LOWER SECTION COMPLETELY BLEW APART. WE NOW HAD THE RESERVOIR REPLACED AND THE WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED. WE AGAIN THOUGHT THERE CAN'T POSSIBLY BE ANYTHING ELSE WRONG. WELL TODAY THE DREDDED MESSAGE CAME BACK ON, "COOLANT LOW!!" WE ARE FINANCIALLY AND PERSONALLY SPENT AND HAVE NO RECOURSE. BY THE WAY ALL THIS HAPPENED IN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

NHTSA complaint #10845741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Jaguar XJ8 at 56,000 miles ST Carson, NV

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 JAGUAR XJ8. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AN ENGINE OIL FLUSH NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA complaint #10785013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Jaguar XJ8 at 77,560 miles Vicksburg, MS Crash

ENGINE

WHILE PROCEEDING TO PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND FORCIBLY STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. DURING THIS INCIDENT THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OF BRAKING OR STEERING. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND SUSTAIN MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10678607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 135,967 miles Cincinnati, OH

ENGINE

OPERATING MY VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STARTING RUNNING POOR. JAGUAR DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED POORLY DESIGNED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND ARMS HAVE FAILED BECAUSE JAGUAR MADE THE COMPONENTS OUT OF A CHEAP PLASTIC, THAT IS KNOWN TO CRACK AND CAUSE THE VALVES TO CONTACT THE PISTONS. JAGUAR UPDATED THE TENSIONERS TO METAL , BUT REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW AND WANT TO CHARGE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO UPGRADE TO THE BETTER DESIGNED PARTS. THEY REFEREED ME TO SERVICE BULLETIN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NO. X303-68 , BUT IT STATES IF YOU HAERA A RATTLING NOISE, HOWEVER IT ALSO STATES YOU MAY NOT HEAR A RATTLING NOISE, MY CAR DID NOT, AND OUT OF NO WHERE , THENGINE STOPPED RUNNING DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW, THAT HAS BEEN UPDATED. IN FACT, THIS EFFECT EVERY SINGLE 4.0 ENGINE, THAT'S MILLIONS! IT'S TIME THIS BECOMES A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE PARTS FREE AND REPAIR ANY ENGINE COMPONENT DAMAGED FROM THEIR FAILURE.A CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS FOR AN DEFECTIVE PLASTIC TENSIONER, SOME ONE PUT INSIDE A HOT RUNNING ENGINE, THAT WAS A VERY DUMB IDEA, AND THE FAILURE MAY EVEN OCCUR AS YOUNG AS 32,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10544912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Jaguar XJ8 at 97,500 miles Sacramento, CA

ENGINE

AN INCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE OCCURRED SOMETIME AROUND CHRISTMAS 2011. THE MOTOR SURGED WHILE I WAS FULLY STOPPED AT A STREET LIGHT. THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING, THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE GEAR, AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. A SECOND EVENT OCCURRED IN 2012, MAY 15TH, AT 11:00 P.M. WHILE I WAS FULLY STOPPED AT A DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW. AGAIN THE MOTOR SURGED, THIS TIME WITH A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. I APPLIED MAXIMUM BRAKE PRESSURE BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD, APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET. I SUSTAINED FULL FORCE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE, THREW THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL GEAR, AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT HOME WHERE IT HAS REMAINED PARKED---EXCEPT FOR TWO EXCURSIONS TO THE SACRAMENTO JAGUAR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10504702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 98,000 miles Sarasota, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA complaint #10484841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Jaguar XJ8 Vancouver, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2005 JAGUAR XJ8L. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMITTENT ENGINE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES, HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE WARNING LIGHT MESSAGES SUCH AS ENGINE FAULT, BRAKE FAULT AND DSC FAULT. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DISPLAY OF THE ENGINE LIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LOOSING POWER HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WOULD ALWAYS RETURN.

NHTSA complaint #10467502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 129,701 miles Jacksonville, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE STALL AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAY, NOTICE THERE HAS BEEN RECALL ON THIS BEFORE. JUST PURCHASE THE CAR AND CHECK IT OUT CARFAX AND NO MENTION THIS CAR WAS TAKING IN FOR THIS RECALL CAN I STILL RESPOND TO THIS RECALL AND HOW? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10424002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Jaguar XJ8 at 90,000 miles Cheshire, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ERROR WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ENGINE WAS RESTRICTED WITH MINIMAL ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THE FAILURE POTENTIALLY WAS CAUSED BY THE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE EXACT FAILURE AND REPAIR NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10340373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Jaguar XJ8 at 98,817 miles Winsor, 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.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 106,000 miles Courtsville, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING TENSIONER WAS FAILING. THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $1,500. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,050.

NHTSA complaint #10261447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Jaguar XJ8 at 69,000 miles Fort Lauderdale, FL Crash 4 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JAGUAR XJ8. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED "DSJ OFF". THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED, WHICH BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE HALT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-65 MPH. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE SPUN AROUND INTO FOUR LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO GO THROUGH LITIGATION AND ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB FLORIDA POLICE REPORT. UPDATED 02/01/08

NHTSA complaint #10214804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 82,000 miles Miramar, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY BRINGING ABOUT A FAILURE OF ALL SYSTEMS SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF CROWDED AND FAST FREEWAYS. DOING RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A SOLUTION WITH THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY DESIGN BUT APARENTLY THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR IT AND MANY PEOPLE GO TO THE DEALERSHIPS SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS THAT DO NOT SOLVE THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. THE FAILURE OCURRS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10207283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 66,000 miles Cincinatti, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8, AND STATED THAT THE TIMING TENSIONER FAILED AND CAUSED THE VALVES TO STAY OPEN ,WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 66,000.

NHTSA complaint #10187046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 63,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT DETECTED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VALES TO BEND. THE PISTONS AND CONNECTING ROD WERE ALSO DAMAGED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNEXPECTED, AND THE VEHICLE'S ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS UP-TO-DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 63,000. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED REPAIR INVOICES FOR VEHICLE AND VARIOUS INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT WEBSITES PERTAINING TO THE SAME DEFECT. UPDATED 06/26/07

NHTSA complaint #10186535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Jaguar XJ8 Round Rock, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. THE VEHICLE STALLS AT HIGH SPEEDS, GENERALLY AFTER I ACCELERATE OVER 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND CAN ONLY BE RESTARTED IF YOU BRING IT TO A STOP. I HAD THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN CA. I WAS ALMOST KILLED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. JAGUAR DEALER, SANTA MONICA,REPAIRED AS CYL BURN OUT. MECHANIC TOLD ME STALLING HAPPENED FREQUENTLY WITH THIS MODEL. A FEW YEARS LATER,SAN ANTONIO TX ON THE 183 HIGHWAY RUSH HOUR. CAR STALLED CAUSING ME TO SWERVE NEXT TO CENTER MEDIAN RIPPING OFF THE ENGINE COVER ON DEBRIS. JAGUAR FIXED THROTTLE BODY NOT ENGINE COVER.SERVICE BULLETIN, DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. CAR RAN POORLY THEREAFTER. STALLED AGAIN YEAR LATER. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR. $3,000 TO FIX.. RECENTLY DISCOVERED CONSUMERS WORLD WIDE HAVE SAME PROBLEM. SERVICE BULLETIN REPAIR ONLY SHORT TERM FIX. JAGUAR BLOG IN THE UK -CONSUMER DISCOVERED FROM A JAGUAR MECHANIC , MOST THROTTLE BODIES NEEDED TO BE CLEANED PERIODICALLY AS THE LINING BAD AND BUILD UP OR DEPOSITS WOULD FORM ON THE WALLS OF THE THROTTLE BODY AND CAUSE IT TO MALFUNCTION. MY MECHANIC HAD HEARD OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I CALLED SEVERAL JAGUAR DEALERSHIPS. I WAS TOLD, OFF THE RECORD, THAT I COULD CLEAN THE THROTTLE AND GET BY, BUT CERTAIN CLEANERS WOULD CAUSE THE LINING TO DETERIORATE. I WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT WAS A RIP OFF, OFF THE RECORD. USING THE APPROPRIATE CLEANER, THE ASSEMBLY WAS CLEANED WITHOUT REMOVAL. WHEN WE TURNED ON THE VEHICLE SMOKE BILLOWED OUT OF THE EXHAUST FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN SUBSIDED. THE VEHICLE NOW RUNS PERFECTLY. JAGUAR IS PROFITING FROM REPLACEMENT OF PARTS THAT COULD BE CLEANED AND NEED TOP BE CLEANED REGULARLY. REPLACEMENTS EFFECTIVE SHORT TERM ONLY. YOUR FORM ALLOWS ONLY "S" TYPE EQUIP". THIS IS A XJ8.

NHTSA complaint #10185249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Jaguar XJ8 problems