1997 Jaguar XK8: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
61,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 25 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 9 | 36.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 11 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 | 2 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 5; 2003: 4; 2004: 8; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10021366 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
1997 JAGUAR XK8 SUDDENLY STALLS OUT COMPLETELY DURING FREEWAY DRIVING. OTHER LISTINGS AT NHTSA REGARDING THIS. POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE AS THE CAR CANNOT BE STEERED OFF THE ROAD EASILY. NO WARNING OF FAILURE - RESULTING IN FOLLOWING TRAFFIC HAVING TO BREAK LANE SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE STALLED JAG. THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS STUFF.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 66,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022791 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT LOS ANGELES FREEWAY AT 55MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE GOT SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025481 · 2003-07-06 (July 6, 2003)
THE 1/4" THICK STEEL BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME AND HAVE HOLES FOR THE SEAT FRAME TO BE BOLTED TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR SHEARED OFF (I.E. COMPLETELY FAILED) WHILE DRIVING. THE SEAT BECAME UNATTACHED AT THE FRONT CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROCK BACKWARD LEAVING THE HEADREST ON THE BACK SEAT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 101,986 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044285 · 2003-11-19 (November 19, 2003)
REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS TURNED BLACK, AND CANNOT BE USED SAFELY. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE "FLUID" IS BAD IN THE MIRROR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064658 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WORN OUT SHUT OFF VALVE PART. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067377 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS MADE WITH A PLASTIC COATING THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED IN LATER MODELS. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068129 · 2004-04-30 (April 30, 2004)
JAGUAR HAS 40,000 L997 MODEL XK8 SOLD FOR $75,0000. NEEDS NEW ENGINE! DEALER WONT TAKE OF EXPENSE OF REPLACING IT. WEB SAYS THEY HAVE FAULTY TENSIONERS, AND CYLINDER LINERS. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068129 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068417 · 2004-05-06 (May 6, 2004)
NORMAL CRUISING HIGHWAY SPEED, LET OFF THE ACCELARATOR AND CAR STALLS. HAVE TO WEAVE MY WAY OUT OF TRAFFIC AS CAR IS DECELERATING. HAD TO COME TO FULL STOP AND THEN ATTEMPTED RESTART WITH NO PROBLEMS. HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS, LUCKILY LIGHT TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY AT ALL TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. 79,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068417 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V045000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1997-03-20 (March 20, 1997)
THE DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT SHAFT RETAINING RINGS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION CAN BECOME DISPLACED ALLOWING THE OUTPUT SHAFT TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT.
Consequence: IF THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEPARATES, THE REAR SUSPENSION WOULD COLLAPSE ON THE AFFECTED SIDE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL SERIAL NUMBER AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE NECESSARY PARTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗