Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
825–50K
1750–75K
975–100K
12100–150K
1150K+
48 reports with mileage · 35 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
83 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
BATTERY EXPLODED, FILLED TRUNK WITH SMOKE, BLEW ELECTRICAL COVERS OFF OF FUSE AND RELAY BLOCKS WHICH ARE LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE BATTERY UNDER THE FLOOR OF THE TRUNK..EXPLODED WHEN TURNED IGNITION KEY TO START CAR--VERY VIOLENT--IF TRUNK HAD BEEN OPEN, ACID WOULD HAVE COVERED ANYONE NEARBY. BETTER SHIELDING OF THE BATTERY NEEDS…
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BATTERY EXPLODED, FILLED TRUNK WITH SMOKE, BLEW ELECTRICAL COVERS OFF OF FUSE AND RELAY BLOCKS WHICH ARE LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE BATTERY UNDER THE FLOOR OF THE TRUNK..EXPLODED WHEN TURNED IGNITION KEY TO START CAR--VERY VIOLENT--IF TRUNK HAD BEEN OPEN, ACID WOULD HAVE COVERED ANYONE NEARBY. BETTER SHIELDING OF THE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE UNDERTAKEN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756982
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Structure
FRONT DEFLECTOR CAME OFF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH. THIS CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8001646
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754582
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASED A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8 FROM PEYTON CRAMER JAGUAR IN JULY OF 1998, VIN # [XXX]. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD A REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE STALLING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (55-70 MPH). THIS OCCURS WITH NO WARNING, AND PLACES MY FAMILY AND ME AT RISK. WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS I HAVE TO DRIFT OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE, AGAINST THE FLOW…
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I PURCHASED A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8 FROM PEYTON CRAMER JAGUAR IN JULY OF 1998, VIN # [XXX]. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD A REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE STALLING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (55-70 MPH). THIS OCCURS WITH NO WARNING, AND PLACES MY FAMILY AND ME AT RISK. WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS I HAVE TO DRIFT OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE, AGAINST THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC SO THAT I CAN PARK THE CAR. ONLY THEN CAN I RESTART THE ENGINE, SINCE IT MUST BE STARTED IN THE "PARK" SHIFTER POSITION.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #747830
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Suspension
VEHICLE SHAKES AND SHIMMIES ABOVE 38 MPH. TIRES AND WHEELS ARE INVOLVED. DEALER AND JAGUAR ENGINEER TRIED TO FIX AND CANNOT. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #739561
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH + VEHICLE VIBRATES WHICH MAY POSSIBLY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #877165
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2000
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
CONSUMER WAS PULLING INSIDE OF ANGLE PARKING LOT TRAVELING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN ACCELERATE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND LOCKED. SHE TRIED TO HOLD ON THE BRAKE, AND VEHICLE DROVE INTO A SHEET METAL WALL . THERE WERE NO INJURIES AT THIS TIME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #867959
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
IN THE MORNING WHEN CONSUMER STARTS VEHICLE AND PUTS IT IN REVERSE, VEHICLE JUMPS. ALSO, CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAS TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRALTO STOP THE JERKING MOVEMENT.*AK WHILE DRIVING AT 60-65 MPH AND 30-40 MPH ENGINE CUTS OFF. *YH
NHTSA ODI #865509
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2000
Electrical System
I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME DEFECTS WHICH STILL REMAIN. THE DRIVERS ELECTRIC SEAT OCCASIONALLY MOVES BOTH FORWARD AND BACK WHILE DRIVING MOVING YOU EITHER AWAY FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL OR INTO THE DASH. THE S…
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I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME DEFECTS WHICH STILL REMAIN. THE DRIVERS ELECTRIC SEAT OCCASIONALLY MOVES BOTH FORWARD AND BACK WHILE DRIVING MOVING YOU EITHER AWAY FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL OR INTO THE DASH. THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH IS TIED INTO THE SAME SYSTEM SOMETIMES REFUSES TO MOVE OUT OF ITS RETRACTED POSITION AGAINST THE DASHBOARD. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR DOORS WON'T OPEN AT ALL UNLESS THE DRIVER FIRST OPENS THEIR OWN DOOR OR HITS A CENTRAL RELEASE BUTTON PRIOR TO EITHER REAR PASSENGER TOUCHING THEIR INTERIOR HANDLES. UP UNTIL NOW THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN TRYING TO REPAIR THIS SITUATION BUT HAS NOW CHANGED THEIR POSITION TO BEING "IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK THAT WAY". THIS CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN THE EVENT OF A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE THE DRIVER IS EITHER RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS OR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. IN EITHER CASE THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS ARE TRAPPED IN A POTENTIALLY BURNING VEHICLE. IT ALSO CREATES A VERY INCONVENIENT SITUATION EVERY TIME A REAR PASSENGER TRIES TO GET OUT BEFORE THE DRIVER. IN THOSE INSTANCES, THE CAR MUST BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESET THE SYSTEM BEFORE THE REAR DOORS CAN BE OPENED EVEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #724795
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
RECALL 98VO22000; CABLE ADJUSTMENT BRACKET NUT ON THE OUTER SLEEVE OF THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME DISPLACED FROM THE CABLE ADJUSTMENT BRACKET. RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #858640
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1998 Jaguar XJ8 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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