Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Midsize Cars

1998 Jaguar Vanden PlasRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 12 owner complaints for the 1998 Jaguar Vanden Plas. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (5) and vehicle speed control (3). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2006
Owner complaints
12
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 19, 2006NHTSA 06E043000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

12 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – May 2018
  1. Engine and engine cooling5
  2. Vehicle speed control3
  3. Power train2
  4. Exterior lighting2
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Visibility1
  8. Fuel system, other1
  9. Air bags1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Vanden Plas model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19966
19971
199812
19996
20004
20011
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

5 reports
“ENGINE STALLS AT ANY SPEEDS WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE THEREFORE ALSO INOPERABLE. VEHICLE MUST BE COASTED IN THIS CONDITION TO A STOP AND PUT IN "PARK" BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A LIFE-THREATENING MANEUVER IN MULTIPLE LANES OF 70 MPH SPECIALLY WHEN MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE IN THE CAR. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2012Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10450328

Vehicle speed control

3 reports
“MY CAR CUTS OFF, AFTER DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT A HIGH RAT OF SPEED, MOSTLY HAPPENS AS I'M TURNING OFF THE HIGHWAY, ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2018Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11092023

Power train

2 reports
“1998 JAGUAR VAN DAN PLAS HAS A SEVERE DEFECT. CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND ENGINE LOOSES ALL POWER. ALSO THE DRIVE BELT SHUTS DOWN AFTER COMPUTER CHIP FAILURE CAUSING OVER HEATING AND DISCHARGING OF BATTERY. EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE CHIP, THE SAME OCCURS AFTER SOME MILES. LEFT HEADLIGHT KEEPS ON BURNING OUT. *NLM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2003Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lightingODI 10032571
All 1998 Vanden Plas problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Vanden Plas
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152218$4,300494
  • Vanden Plas
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Jaguar Vanden Plas as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Vanden Plas questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Jaguar Vanden Plas have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Jaguar Vanden Plas problems?

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (5), vehicle speed control (3), power train (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Jaguar Vanden Plas get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Jaguar Vanden Plas at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026