FaultScore

FaultScore report

1998 Jaguar XK8 problems

Owners have filed 43 complaints about the 1998 Jaguar XK8 with NHTSA between 1998 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.

C

FaultScore 49/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Jaguar XK8.

How this is worked out

The numbers

43

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

52,300 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

20%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 78 vs 50 Severity 12 vs 50 Early failure 34 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 78
Against the median year of the Jaguar XK8. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 12
2.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 34
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1998 compares with every other Jaguar XK8

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1998 Jaguar XK8

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 12 27.9%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 7 16.3%

Median failure at 57,800 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 9.3%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 4 9.3%

Median failure at 66,000 miles

Electrical System 4 9.3%

Median failure at 75,286 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 7.0%

Median failure at 47,125 miles

Lights 2 4.7%

Median failure at 88,286 miles

Suspension 2 4.7%
Other & Unspecified 1 2.3%
Equipment & Accessories 1 2.3%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

Seats 1 2.3%

Median failure at 107,065 miles

Wheels 1 2.3%
Brakes 1 2.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 6 20.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 7 23.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 8 26.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 13.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 5 16.7%

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.

May 1998 peak 6 Apr 2018

Recalls on the 1998 Jaguar XK8

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 2004039 1,838 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

On certain vehicles, the headlamp adjustment mechanism is not supported by suitable operating instructions on either the mechanism or in the owner's manual. This does not meet the requirements of CMVSS 108. Correction: Owners will be supplied with an owner's manual supplement containing the necessary headlamp aiming instructions.

Recall 1998026 270 units in Canada

Engine

THE CABLE ADJUSTER BRACKET NUT ON THE OUTER SLEEVE OF THE THROTTLE CABLE COULD BECOME DISPLACED FROM THE CABLE ABUTMENT BRACKET ON THE ENGINE. SHOULD THE CABLE ADJUSTER BRACKET BECOME DISPLACED, IT MAY RESULT IN LIMITED OPENING OF THE THROTTLE, EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PRESSED FULLY TO THE FLOOR. CORRECTION: A TIE STRAP WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE ADJUSTING NUT IN ITS LOCATION IN THE CABLE ABUTMENT BRACKET.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Easton, MD Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES IN NORMAL CONDITIONS THE PEDAL RESISTED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #827280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 110,572 miles Stuart, FL

POWER TRAIN

WOULD NOT START, BATTERY RUN DOWN IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK. STATIONARY

NHTSA complaint #11090878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,572 miles Stuart, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WOULD NOT START, BATTERY RUN DOWN IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK. STATIONARY

NHTSA complaint #11090878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,572 miles Stuart, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WOULD NOT START, BATTERY RUN DOWN IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK. STATIONARY

NHTSA complaint #11090878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,500 miles Waynesboro, VA

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.

NHTSA complaint #10649705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,600 miles Simpsonville, SC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10426888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Kirkland, WA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1998 XK8 STALLED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIRD INCIDENT. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE; NO REPAIR SUGGESTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10331851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Kirkland, WA

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 USE PREMIUM UNLEADED FUEL FROM CHEVRON OR UNION 66. THESE TWO INCIDENTS WERE SEPARATED IN TIME BY ABOUT 2 MONTHS. I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AS THESE INCIDENTS EXPOSED ME TO POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS OFFERED TO 'DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM' AT MY COST, WHILE ALSO INDICATING THAT THEY HAVE HAD SOME SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THAT THEY ARE LINKING TO HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ETHANOL IN THE FUEL. THEIR ADVICE IS TO WAIT A COUPLE OF WEEKS FROM NOW WHEN ETHANOL LEVELS WILL BE REDUCED AND/OR SWITCH TO REGULAR GASOLINE! AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I NOW FIND THAT THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED FREQUENTLY AMONG JAGUAR OWNERS, AND POSSIBLY OTHERS. TO ME, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ENGINE MANAGEMENT ISSUE THAT WOULD BE CONTROLLED BY THE CAR'S COMPUTERIZED EFI SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10321074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Sunnyvale, CA

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.

NHTSA complaint #10273558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles LOS Alamitos, CA

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.

NHTSA complaint #10273282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles LOS Alamitos, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10273282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Elgin, IL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10262150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Riverton, UT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A LOCK-UP IN THE AUTOMATIC GEAR BOX. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY IS NOT OPERABLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10239821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Newark, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS ACKNOWLEDGED, DIAGNOSED, AND OSTENSIBLY REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS INEFFECTIVE AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THE FIRST REPAIR THE VEHICLE FAILED IN THE SAME WAY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A SECOND TIME TO THE AUTHORIZED JAGUAR DEALER WHERE ANOTHER REPAIR WAS CONDUCTED. FOLLOWING THIS REPAIR THE INCIDENT DID NOT REOCCUR UNTIL JULY 14, 2008. THAT DAY, WHILE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IN A TRAVEL LANE, THE VEHICLE CEASED OPERATION WITH NO WARNING ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT RESTART AS STATED ABOVE AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A SMALL GORE-POINT BETWEEN TWO CONCRETE TOLL BOOTHS WHILE TRAFFIC AVOIDED THE VEHICLE TO EACH SIDE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FROM NEUTRAL, BUT HAD TO BE PLACED IN PARK IN ORDER TO RESTART. FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED JAGUAR DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE TECHNICAL ATTEMPTED THE JAGUAR "SERVICE ACTION". THE PROCEDURE FAILED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DISABLED, AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED FOR TWO WEEKS. A JAGUAR FACTORY FIELD EMPLOYEE AND A MECHANIC FROM OUT OF THE AREA WORKED ON IT AND NOW REPORT THAT "EVERYTHING IS FINE". THEY HAVE REINSTALLED THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND REPORT THAT THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THIS TIME THERE WILL BE NO MORE TROUBLE OF THIS NATURE. I DO NOT SHARE THEIR CONFIDENCE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND ASSESS THE SAFETY RISK OF THE JAGUAR CARS "SERVICE ACTION" PROCEDURE.

NHTSA complaint #10236623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Newark, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS ACKNOWLEDGED, DIAGNOSED, AND OSTENSIBLY REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS INEFFECTIVE AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THE FIRST REPAIR THE VEHICLE FAILED IN THE SAME WAY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A SECOND TIME TO THE AUTHORIZED JAGUAR DEALER WHERE ANOTHER REPAIR WAS CONDUCTED. FOLLOWING THIS REPAIR THE INCIDENT DID NOT REOCCUR UNTIL JULY 14, 2008. THAT DAY, WHILE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IN A TRAVEL LANE, THE VEHICLE CEASED OPERATION WITH NO WARNING ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT RESTART AS STATED ABOVE AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A SMALL GORE-POINT BETWEEN TWO CONCRETE TOLL BOOTHS WHILE TRAFFIC AVOIDED THE VEHICLE TO EACH SIDE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FROM NEUTRAL, BUT HAD TO BE PLACED IN PARK IN ORDER TO RESTART. FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED JAGUAR DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE TECHNICAL ATTEMPTED THE JAGUAR "SERVICE ACTION". THE PROCEDURE FAILED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DISABLED, AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED FOR TWO WEEKS. A JAGUAR FACTORY FIELD EMPLOYEE AND A MECHANIC FROM OUT OF THE AREA WORKED ON IT AND NOW REPORT THAT "EVERYTHING IS FINE". THEY HAVE REINSTALLED THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND REPORT THAT THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THIS TIME THERE WILL BE NO MORE TROUBLE OF THIS NATURE. I DO NOT SHARE THEIR CONFIDENCE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND ASSESS THE SAFETY RISK OF THE JAGUAR CARS "SERVICE ACTION" PROCEDURE.

NHTSA complaint #10236623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XK8. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V022000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) ONLINE AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME. HE ALSO TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A JAGUAR DEALER IN DARIAN, CT FROM 1998-2004 FOR SERVICE AND THEY NEVER PERFORMED A REPAIR OR INFORMED HIM OF THE RECALL. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA complaint #10210343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Houston, TX

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

TIMING TENSIONER DEFECT- 1998 JAGUAR XK8 WITH 50000 MILES. ENGINE FAILED TO START AFTER LOUD POPPING NOISE. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES PRIOR. CAUSE-PLASTIC TIMING TENSIONERS FAILED, CAUSING TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK AND DAMAGE PISTONS. SOLUTION NEW ENGINE. DEALER QUOTED $14,000. THIS CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. MY MECHANIC STATED HE WAS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH TENSIONERS, AND JAGUAR HAD REDESIGNED THEM FOR LATER MODELS. THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT ON LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES! THERE WERE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES. JAGUAR REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10190101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,300 miles Kamuela, HI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAVE A 1998 JAGUAR XK8 CONVERTIBLE. CURRENT MILEAGE 37,334. TWICE, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE JUST CUT OUT. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I ATTRIBUTED TO POSSIBLE A BAD TANK OF GAS ON MARCH 2006. AFTER THE SECOND TIME ON MARCH 2007. I FEARED IT HAD ANOTHER CAUSE. JUST ABOUT THAT TIME I RECEIVED FROM JAGUAR A "SERVICE ACTION" S-514 STATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH CLOSED THROTTLE OPERATION, AND IT SOUNDED LIKE MY PROBLEM. I E-MAILED THEM SEVERAL TIMES TO ASK ABOUT AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY REFERRED ME TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. A REP CALLED TO SAY I COULD ONLY HAVE IT FIXED ON THE MAINLAND! THAT OF COURSE, WOULD COST ME FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS. I ASKED IF IT COULD BE FIXED BY SOMEONE HERE LOCALLY AT MY COST. SHE SAID "WE CAN'T RECOMMEND THAT". NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. MY COMPLAINT, HOWEVER, HAS MORE TO DO WITH HOW THIS PROBLEM IS CLASSIFIED. THIS SHOULD BE A "SAFETY RECALL" NOT SIMPLY A SERVICE ACTION. BOTH INCIDENTS PUT ME AND OTHERS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ONCE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE NO ONE DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. THE SECOND TIME I CAUSED SEVERAL CARS BEHIND ME TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD OR SKID INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS JUST LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CHECKED YOUR SITE FOR COMPLAINTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS!!! APPARENTLY, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE FORCED INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL? BY BEING A "SERVICE ACTION" JAGUAR CAN JUST IGNORE ME. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD MAKE MORE OF AN EFFORT TO FIX MY CAR OR HELP IN FINDING SOMEONE WHO WILL...AT THEIR COST. CAN THEY DO THIS LEGALLY?

NHTSA complaint #10187076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Plaeasant Hill, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

JAGUAR XK8. VEHICLE WITH 54K MILES ALWAYS DEALER SERVICES. TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING, WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT INCIDENT. CONTACTED JAGUAR AND THEY DID NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. JAGUAR HAS KNOWN THE PLASTIC TIMING CHAIN GUIDES TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE HAVE HAD TWO DESIGN REVISIONS AND NOW PUT A METAL GUIDE IN THE CARS SINCE 2002. JAGUAR DOES NOT ADVISE OWNERS OR DEALERS TO REPLACE THE GUIDES WHICH EVEN WITHOUT THEIR ASSISTANCE I WOULD HAVE HAD DONE AT $800. THE DEFECTIVE GUIDE CAUSES THE CHAIN TO BREAK AND VALVE DAMAGE, A $7K REPAIR. THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS TELL ME THEY ARE REPAIRING THESE ALL THE TIME IN LOW MILEAGE ENGINES 45-70K AND THE INTERNET IS LITTERED WITH THE SAME. HARD TO BELIEVE JAGUAR HAS NOT BEEN FORCED IN TO A RECALL OR SOME TYPE OF VOLUNTARY REPAIR PROGRAM. BOTTOM LINE - ENGINE PART WITH KNOWN, DOCUMENTED DEFECT, THAT CAUSES CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, WITH NO ACTION BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10168076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Lakewood Village, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF RAIN STORM CAUSING ME TO LOSE VISIBILITY. NO WARNING - THE WIPERS JUST STOP AS THE NUT HOLDING THE WIPER ARM HAS BECOME LOOSENED/STRIPPED. TWO PREVIOUS TIMES THIS HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10151327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,000 miles Carmel, IN

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

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.

NHTSA complaint #10104810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,950 miles Naples, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10097751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles HOT Springs, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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 TWO LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS AT THE MERCY OF EVERY DRIVER BEHIND ME. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION THAT JAGUAR DENIES HAVING ANY KNOWLEGE OF. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE WITH JAG OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD HAS ISSUED A FIELD ACTION THAT ADMITS THAT THE THROTTLE-BODY IS DEFECTIVE, BUT THEY'RE NOT FIXING THE CARS IN THE U.S., ONLY IN OTHER COUNTRIES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10088188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles HOT Springs, AR

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

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 TWO LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS AT THE MERCY OF EVERY DRIVER BEHIND ME. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION THAT JAGUAR DENIES HAVING ANY KNOWLEGE OF. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE WITH JAG OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD HAS ISSUED A FIELD ACTION THAT ADMITS THAT THE THROTTLE-BODY IS DEFECTIVE, BUT THEY'RE NOT FIXING THE CARS IN THE U.S., ONLY IN OTHER COUNTRIES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10088188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,000 miles Littleton, CO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON-ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA complaint #10075254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wellesley, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BOX, AND THE OXYGEN SENSORS, BUT THE STALLING CONTINUED. *AK *TT

NHTSA complaint #10044776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.