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Research · Compact Cars

1998 Jaguar XJ8Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 83 owner complaints for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (35) and power train (14). 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
83
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
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

83 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1999 – Sep 2020
  1. Engine and engine cooling35
  2. Power train14
  3. Vehicle speed control13
  4. Electrical system11
  5. Fuel system, gasoline4
  6. Engine3
  7. Suspension3
  8. Seats3
  9. Air bags2

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 XJ8 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199883
199911
200113
20064
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
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

35 reports1 crash
“ENGINE STALL AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAY, NOTICE THERE HAS BEEN RECALL ON THIS BEFORE. JUST PURCHASE THE CAR AND CHECK IT OUT CARFAX AND NO MENTION THIS CAR WAS TAKING IN FOR THIS RECALL CAN I STILL RESPOND TO THIS RECALL AND HOW? [XXX] *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10424002

Power train

14 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR AT A STAND STILL, THE GEARS FAILED TO ENGAGED PROPERLY WIT THE FUEL INJECTOR, POWER TRAIN, TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWN'S JAGUAR (10505 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, RICHMOND, VA 23235) WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS WAS ON THE VIN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 99V138000 (POWER TRAIN) AS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 121,000.*DT*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2020Fuel system, gasoline, Power trainODI 11355622

Vehicle speed control

13 reports1 crash
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE CONTACT RELEASED HIS FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND 2 YEARS PRIOR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2010Vehicle speed controlODI 10354147
All 1998 XJ8 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
Compact 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
XJ8
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$4,200494
  • XJ8
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/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 XJ8 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 XJ8 questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 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 XJ8 problems?

Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (35), power train (14), vehicle speed control (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026