Research · Minicompact Cars

2008 Jaguar XKRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints for the 2008 Jaguar XK. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and exterior lighting (1). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
5
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Free remedy

JAGUAR IS RECALLING 112 MY 2007-2009 XK VEHICLES FITTED WITH RUN FLAT TIRES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, (TPMS)." THE TPMS WARNINGS WERE TURNED OFF. IF THE TPMS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WERE TO SEND A SIGNAL TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO DISPLAY A TPMS WARNING TELLTALE, THE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE NOR WOULD THE SUPPLEMENTARY WARNING TEXT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MESSAGE CENTER BE DISPLAYED.

TiresReported May 19, 2009NHTSA 09V161000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2010 – Mar 2016
  1. Electrical system1
  2. Exterior lighting1
  3. Visibility1
  4. Suspension1
  5. Power train1
  6. Structure1
  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 XK model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200730
20085
20092
20106
20113
20122
20132
20143
20152
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JAGUAR XK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE HEADLIGHT CASING. THE HEADLIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO BEGAN TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,700.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lightingFire reportedODI 10846172

Exterior lighting

1 report1 fire

Visibility

1 report
“2008 JAGUAR XK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PREMATURE REAR WINDOW DETACHMENT ON VEHICLE CONVERTIBLE TOP REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE DETACHMENT PROBLEM WAS COMMON AND THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $600 FOR AN ADHESIVE FIX WITH A 50% CHANCE OF FAILURE OR $2400 FOR A NEW CONVERTIBLE TOP. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2015VisibilityODI 10720932
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-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 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XK
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162519$4,050468
XK Convertible
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162519$4,050468
  • XK
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • XK Convertible
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Jaguar XK as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 2467Vehicle 2466
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

2008 XK questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Jaguar XK have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 8, 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 2008 Jaguar XK problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), exterior lighting (1), visibility (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Jaguar XK get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Jaguar XK at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026