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Research · Compact Cars

1999 Jaguar XJ8Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 11 owner complaints for the 1999 Jaguar XJ8. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (5) and power train (4). 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
11
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

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2004 – Sep 2019
  1. Engine and engine cooling5
  2. Power train4
  3. Air bags1
  4. Fuel system, other1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
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
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, THE PLASTIC SHEARS KEPT ENTERING INTO THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THE REPAIR COST OVER $1,000 AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 98,817.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2009Engine and engine coolingODI 10262834

Power train

4 reports
“MY 1999 JAGUAR XJ8 WAS FINE AND THEN I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE GEAR BOX FAULT COMING ON ONE DAY. AND THEN WHEN CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED LIGHT WENT AWAY. DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THEN CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY HOPING TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE AND THE GEAR BOX FAULT LIGHT IS ON. THEN WHILE IN D AND CAR WON'T MOVE UNTIL I GIVE IT GAS TO ABOUT 2000RPMS AND IT'LL CLUNK REAL LOUD AND STALL SOMETIME OR DRIVE VERY SLOWLY AND SLUGGISH. ANYWAYS MY CAR IS A 1999 AND THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER=99V138000 RECALL DATE OF 06/02/1999 AND ITS WITH THE POWERTRAIN SYSTEM. I DON'T THINK THAT ITS RIGHT FOR MY CAR TO NOT FALL UNDER THAT RECALL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2019Power trainODI 11255051

Air bags

1 report1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT RAN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE POLICE CAME AND DOCUMENTED THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE SHOULDER AND CHEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2013Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10501156
All 1999 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
152218$4,300494
  • XJ8
    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 1999 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

1999 XJ8 questions

How many recalls does the 1999 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 1999 Jaguar XJ8 problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (5), power train (4), air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Jaguar XJ8 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Jaguar XJ8 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026