1998 Jaguar XJ8L problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
61,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 15 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 8 | 53.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 26.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 1 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014366 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
MY VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AFTER ACCELERATING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038465 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK *PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 60,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082283 · 2004-07-20 (July 20, 2004)
1) TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT 2) TOW TO MECHANIC 3) TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 62,000 MILES - 2ND OWNER - LESS THAN 6 MONTHS *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146365 · 2005-12-29 (December 29, 2005)
I CURRENTLY OWN A 1998 XJ8L JAGUAR. THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING A SLIPPAGE APPARENTLY FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ACCELERATING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED JAGUAR REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING ON THE VEHICLE. FROM THIS POINT I CONTACTED ALPINE JAGUAR TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WERE RECALLS BUT NOT ON MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL # IS R478. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT I BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, BUT WOULD NOT WAIVE THE $104.00 INSPECTION FEE. I SPOK…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012522 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC, MELTED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS TOO HOT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 61,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10492906 · 2013-01-14 (January 14, 2013)
ABOUT 2-3 TIMES A MONTH, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (AND ONLY ON FREEWAYS, NEVER HAS THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS), ALWAYS ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON THE ROAD FROM A COLD START, MY ACCELERATOR WILL SUDDENLY FAIL TO RESPOND WHILE I'VE HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS DURING STEADY DRIVING OF 55-75 MPH. NO INDICATOR COMES ON AT THE TIME. I'M FORCED TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE MOMENTUM PROVIDED BY THE CAR AS I AM UNABLE TO GET ACCELERATION FROM THE PEDDLE. ONCE I BRAKE TO A STOP & PUT THE CAR IN PARK I GET AN "ENGINE FAILED" INDICATOR AND THE RED…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10492906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150338 · 2006-02-15 (February 15, 2006)
1998 JAGUAR XJ8L CAR WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP AND START,HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF,INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TOP DRIVE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED I THOUGHT IT WAS A COMPUTER BOOT PROBLEM SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD COME AND GO AND WAS SO INTERMITTENT IT COULD NOT BE PICKED UP WHILE AT THE CAR SHOP, DOWNTOWN JAGUAR IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN. I AM A CONTROLS ENGINEER AND THOUGHT THAT I WOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150338 at NHTSA ↗