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Research · Compact Cars

1998 Jaguar XJRRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 9 owner complaints for the 1998 Jaguar XJR. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (3) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2006
Owner complaints
9
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
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 Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

9 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2001 – May 2016
  1. Engine and engine cooling3
  2. Air bags2
  3. Seats2
  4. Power train1
  5. Fuel system, gasoline1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Vehicle speed control1

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 XJR model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19989
19996
20002
20011
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

3 reports
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING.*MR (NAR) *CB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2003Engine and engine coolingODI 10046661

Air bags

2 reports
“MAY 29, 2012 AIRBAG DEPLOYED AS CAR WAS BEING UNLOCKED IN A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING, MERELY BEING UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB, AS I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER, THE AIRBAG OF THE DRIVERS SIDE, EMBEDDED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, BLEW, STRIKING ME IN THE HEAD AND BAGGING MY HEAD AGAINST THE OUTER EDGE OF THE DOOR OPENING. IT IS BELIEVED THAT I PASSED OUT, THEN CAME TO AND WAS FOUND LEANING AGAINST THE CAR. I COULD NOT WORK FOR A WEEK DUE TO HEADACHES AND THE IMPACT CRACKED A TOOTH. PEERLESS INSURANCE DENIED MY DAMAGE CLAIM, STATING WEAR AND TEAR AND LACK OF MAINTENANCE. I CAN FURNISH THE CLAIM NUMBER. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY A DEALERSHIP AND HAD A CLEAN CARFAX WHEN PURCHASED IN2004 WITH 58000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENT. THE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, IN EXCESS OF $1800. THE CAR IS MY DAILY DRIVER, MY DAILY COMMUTE IS UNDER TWO MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THE TAKATA RECALL, BUT WHEN IT APPEARED IN THE NEWS, I WANTED TO REPORT THIS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2016Air bagsODI 10871314

Seats

2 reports
“SEAT SUPPORT BRACKET (DRIVER SIDE RIGHT REAR) CRACKED IN HALF CAUSING SEAT TO SHIFT SUDDENLY. CAUSING DRIVER TO MAKE UNINTENDED STEERING INPUTS. SECOND OCCURRENCE SAME AS ABOVE EXCEPT LEFT REAR BRACKET CRACKED IN HALF ON JUNE 10, 2012 *TT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2012SeatsODI 10462805
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl supercharged
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 Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XJR
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$4,700523
  • XJR
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Sup Charg
    15 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 XJR as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 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 XJR questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Jaguar XJR have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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 XJR problems?

Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (3), air bags (2), seats (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Jaguar XJR get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Jaguar XJR at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026