Jaguar Xj8l problems
The Jaguar XJ (X308) is a full-size luxury saloon car manufactured and marketed by Jaguar Cars for years 1997–2003 across two generations and featuring the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine and Jaguar independent rear suspension. It was the third and final evolution of the Jaguar XJ40 platform that had been in production since 1986. It was preceded by the Jaguar XJ (X300).
Exterior
The X308 kept much of the same exterior styling as its predecessor, the Jaguar XJ (X300), carrying its rounded four-headlamp bonnet, low roofline, sloping tail, and wrap-around rear light clusters. From the front, the two generations can be differentiated by the shape of the indicator lenses (rectangular on the X300, oval on the X308), and also by the shape of the fog lamps and lower valance air intake, both of which are more rounded on the X308.
The front and rear bumpers were both changed along with the taillights which had red/clear lenses rather than red/grey lenses. The grille surround and badging was slightly changed. The headlight fixtures also included forward parking lights housed with the brights, new to X308.
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Common Jaguar Xj8l problems
The Jaguar XJ8L is a luxury vehicle that has been praised for its performance and style. However, like any car, it is not without its common problems. Here are some of the issues that Jaguar XJ8L owners have reported:
- Plastic Timing Chain Tensioners: The Jaguar XJ8 has been reported to have plastic timing chain tensioners that can fail and cause engine damage. This issue is common in early V8 Jaguars and can lead to expensive repairs if not addressed promptly.
- Overheated Engine: The XJ8's engine can overheat, which can cause serious damage to the vehicle. This issue is often caused by a faulty cooling system or a malfunctioning water pump.
- Transmission Problems: The transmission in the XJ8 can cause excessive wear in the valve body, leading to random pressure spikes and potentially breaking the snap ring on the A-Clutch drum. This issue can lead to transmission failure and require expensive repairs.
- Plastic Thermostat Housing: The Jaguar XJ8's plastic thermostat housing can crack and leak, which is an inevitable issue due to the material's inherent weakness. This can lead to engine overheating and other issues if not addressed promptly.
- Airbag Fault: There has been a recall of XJs built between 2009 and 2019 due to a misprogrammed Restraint Control Module (RCM), which can cause the airbags to fail to deploy in the event of a collision. This issue can be resolved with a software update.
- Roof Issues: All convertible XJs are prone to roof issues, with the roof either stopping opening or closing or taking a long time to do so. This issue is often caused by sub-par hydraulic fluid and can be resolved by flushing the fluid and replacing it with a Jaguar-approved version.
- Burning Smell: A burning smell inside and outside the car when the engine is running is a common issue with the XJ, often caused by a leaking engine oil pan gasket. This issue can be resolved by replacing the gasket.
In summary, the Jaguar XJ8L is a luxury vehicle that has been reported to have several common problems, including engine failure, plastic timing chain tensioners, overheated engine, transmission problems, plastic thermostat housing, airbag fault, roof issues, and burning smell. These issues can be expensive to repair and can affect the vehicle's performance and safety. Therefore, it is essential for Jaguar XJ8L owners to be aware of these issues and take prompt action to address them.
Is a Jaguar XJ8 expensive to maintain?
Jaguar XJ8 Repair & Maintenance Costs
The annual maintenance cost of a Jaguar XJ8 is $721. Repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and shop.
What is the problem with the 4.0 V8 Jaguar engine?
The Jaguar V-8 4.0 & 4.2 Liter engines are very prone to coolant leaks, due to the use of many plastic components. The most troublesome parts are the thermostat housing and the water pump.. We replace the 4.0 Ltr plastic housing with an aluminum version that solves the problem.
How long do Jaguar XJ8 last?
The estimated lifespan of a Jaguar Xj is 318,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.
Do Jaguar XJ have problems?
Coolant Leaks | 3.0 Supercharged V6 & 5.0 V8
Sadly, the water pump is not the only part of the cooling system that can fail on petrol XJ models, many of the hoses and pipes used for coolant delivery are of a plastic design, unfortunately these can crack and fail.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Jaguar Xj8l years
We have researched Jaguar problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Jaguar Xj8l cars and compiled the top 2 most problematic Jaguar Xj8l model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Jaguar Xj8l model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Jaguar Xj8l years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Jaguar Xj8l car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Jaguar Xj8l , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Exterior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Jaguar Xj8l vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Xj8l model years
A total of 2 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Xj8l model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Xj8l model years
There were a total of 6 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 24 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Jaguar Xj8l . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Jaguar Xj8l vehicles.
List of Jaguar Xj8l complaints
Jaguar Xj8l 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2013-09-27
- Date Complaint: 2013-10-03
- VIN: SAJDA23C5YL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: WAS ON US I-280 NORTHBOUND AT ABOUT 8 P.M., GOING PREVAILING SPEED, GOING TO A SOCIAL MEETING, BUT WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTOR. HEARD LOUD POP AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD ABRUPTLY, THEN ENGINE BEGAN TO RATTLE, SMOKE AND BURNT RUBBER/OIL SMELL BEGAN TO INVADE CABIN. HUSBAND TURNED OFF ENGINE AND COASTED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND UP EXIT RAMP SHOULDER. TOOK THE CAR TO DELONG'S AUTO REPAIR, THE ONLY KNOWN AUTHORIZED JAGUAR SERVICE CENTER FOR AT LEAST 50 MILES IN ANY DIRECTION. OWNER, CHIEF MECHANIC, [XXX] SAID WE HAD AN ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE TEMPERATURE GAUGE THAT GIVES FALSE READINGS AND CAR HAD OVERHEATED WITHOUT SHOWING IT ON GAUGE AND THE HEADGASKET BLEW CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE--ON THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE TOLD THAT JAGUAR HAS A COOLING PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND RATHER THAN FIX IT, THEY PUT IN GAUGES THAT DELIBERATELY DECEIVE THE OWNER INTO BELIEVING HIS/HER VEHICLE IS RUNNING AT A NORMAL TEMPERATURE WHEN IT IS NOT. PREVIOUSLY WE'VE HAD REPEATED INCIDENTS OF "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT GOING ON AND TOOK CAR TO JAGUAR AND OTHERS. NOTHING SEEMED OUT OF PLACE, DAMAGED, ETC.--MECHANICS REPEATEDLY TOLD US THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE IT WAS A MALFUNCTIONING INDICATOR LIGHT. "ENGINE COOLANT" LIGHT DID SAME THING. ENGINE COOLANT WAS NEVER LOW WHEN MANUALLY CHECKED. CURRENT MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS ALL TYPICAL OF THE DECEPTIVE GAUGED, THAT THE CAR WAS PROBABLY NEARING OVERHEATING AND FAULTY INDICATOR WAS NOT TELLING US, EXCEPT THROUGH OTHER INDICATORS THAT DIDN'T MATCH THE MANUAL CHECKS WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WE WERE LUCKY TO NOT BE HIT BY OTHER CARS AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, WITH FEW STREET-LIGHTS DUE TO RAMPANT COPPER THEFTS IN AREA, AND LOCAL BUDGET PROBLEMS. FILING A COMPLAINT, HERE, BECAUSE WE HAD TO SUE JAGUAR FOR THE LAST DEFECT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Jaguar Xj8l 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2002-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2013-01-14
- VIN: SAJHX6242WC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: ABOUT 2-3 TIMES A MONTH, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (AND ONLY ON FREEWAYS, NEVER HAS THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS), ALWAYS ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON THE ROAD FROM A COLD START, MY ACCELERATOR WILL SUDDENLY FAIL TO RESPOND WHILE I'VE HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS DURING STEADY DRIVING OF 55-75 MPH. NO INDICATOR COMES ON AT THE TIME. I'M FORCED TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE MOMENTUM PROVIDED BY THE CAR AS I AM UNABLE TO GET ACCELERATION FROM THE PEDDLE. ONCE I BRAKE TO A STOP & PUT THE CAR IN PARK I GET AN "ENGINE FAILED" INDICATOR AND THE RED ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SO FAR, WHEN I'VE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN WITHOUT PROBLEM AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY. HOWEVER, THESE INCIDENTS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS GIVEN THAT OUR FREEWAYS OFTEN HAVE NO EMERGENCY LANE TO PULL OFF TO WHEN THEY ARE UNDER REPAIR. THERE ARE VARIOUS PLACES ON OUR FREEWAYS WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO STOP IN A MOVING LANE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO GO AGAIN. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM A DEALER IN 2001. IT WAS OFF A 3-YR LEASE BY ANOTHER OWNER. I HAD THIS PROBLEM IN THE EARLY YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (AROUND 2002 @ 65,000) UNDER A 6 YEAR WARRANTY AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY REBUILT AND THEN ULTIMATELY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT THAT TIME TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I DIDN'T HAVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN UNTIL 2012 BUT HAVE SINCE EXPERIENCED IT ABOUT 6 TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR (AT 160,000). I CALLED A LOCAL DEALER TO CHECK ON RECALL INFO AND WAS TOLD THERE'S NOTHING CURRENTLY, BUT THAT IN 1999 MY CAR HAD HAD A THROTTLE CABLE ADJUSTER MODIFICATION UNDER WARRANTY. MY RESEARCH ON THIS SITE TELLS ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE THROTTLE BODY BEING DIRTY BUT THAT THE ONLY GOOD SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE IT. THE DEALER IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM BUT CAN'T TELL ME HOW LONG A REPLACEMENT WILL LAST ME. *TR
Jaguar Xj8l 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2009-02-07
- Date Complaint: 2009-02-11
- VIN: SAJHX6045XC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MY 99 XJ8L JAGUAR WOULDN'T START AND I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC--HE SAID 4 OF MY 8 CYLINDERS STOPPED WORKING AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I DID A VEHICLE SEARCH FOR MY CAR AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS ENGINE PROBLEMS FROM THE MANUFACTURER ITS CALLED THE NIKASIL PROBLEM - DOCUMENT NUMBERS ARE S491V6 OR V5. I NEED TO KNOW IF MY CAR FALL UNDER THIS PROBLEM. I KEPT UP WITH ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE SUGGESTIONS( OIL CHANGE,MILEAGE CHECKUPS)., AND MY ENGINE STILL FAILED AT 87715 MILES. *TR
Jaguar Xj8l 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2008-05-09
- Date Complaint: 2008-05-10
- VIN: SAJHX6042XC
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH HAS A DIMMING FEATURE FAILED. BLACK FLUID CAME SPILLING OUT ONTO THE CENTER CONSOLE AND THE RADIO CONTROLS. THE MIRROR BE CAME NON FUNCTIONAL, THERE BY HAVING DIFFICULTY IN VIEWING TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. *TR I MADE CONTACT WITH JAGUAR AND THEY HAVE BEEN NON RESPONSIVE.
Jaguar Xj8l 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2008-03-17
- Date Complaint: 2008-03-22
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: SAJHX6249WC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: RELATED TO JAGUAR SERVICE ACTION PUBLICATION NUMBER 303-S514, "THROTTLE CLOSED POSITION OPERATION" THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR JAGUAR. IN THE JAGUAR SERVICE BULLETIN, JAGUAR STATES "UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES THIS CONCERN COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT... THE ENGINE SHOULD RESTART WITHOUT DIFFICULTY ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STANDSTILL." THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THIS "COMPLETE STANDSTILL" HAPPENING ON MAJOR MOTORWAYS WHERE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH. MY 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L HAS HAD THE SERVICE ACTION PERFORMED, WHICH REPLACED THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WITH THE EXACT SAME THROTTLEBODY FROM THE SAME VENDOR. THE NEW PARTS USED FOR THE REPLACEMENT IS THE SAME ONE THAT FAILS, IT IS DEFECTIVE AND ONLY COMES WITH A ONE YEAR WARRANTY. THE CAR IS STALLING AGAIN, AND JAGUAR REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. ON MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 17, 2008 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY CAR RECENTLY STALLED WHILE HEADING ON I-35N THROUGH AUSTIN TEXAS, AT WHICH TIME THE TRAFFIC VOLUME WAS HEAVY AND THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WAS NEAR 70 MPH, AND I WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY EXIT FOR A CONSTRUCTION BARRICADE. IN DOING THIS, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND ME HAD TO VEER OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION, AND PUMMELED THROUGH THE ORANGE CONSTRUCTION BARRELS. I HAD TO ALSO PULL HARD INTO THE CONSTRUCTION BARRELS TO AVOID THE COLLISION, AND MY VEHICLE SUFFERED FRONT PANEL DAMAGE. BOTH OF OUR VEHICLES SUFFERED DAMAGES AS A RESULT, AND BOTH MYSELF, AND THE OTHER VEHICLES DRIVER SUFFERED WHIP LASH INJURIES. I AM CURRENTLY UNDER THE CARE OF DR VIET TRAN, FOR A TORE DISC VERTEBRAE CAUSED BY WHIPLASH, AND WILL BE MAKING REGULAR VISITS TO A PHYSICAL THERAPIST. *TR
Jaguar Xj8l 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2007-12-13
- Date Complaint: 2007-12-13
- VIN: SAJHX6246WC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MY 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L KEEPS STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VERY VERY DANGEROUS. I AM ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT ON 95 EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS. THE DEALER HAS SAID IT IS A DIRTY THROTTLE THAT MAY BE CAUSING THIS, BUT EVEN AFTER SERVICING IT JUST STARTS UP AGAIN...AFTER INVESTIGATING HERE ON THE WEB I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME BACK ON SEPTEMBER 2004, WHEN MY ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY FROZE UP ON 95 AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $15,874.00. THIS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL SHOULD BE POSTED FOR THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I HAVE A SNEAKY FEELING THAT THIS IS STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE ENGINE STALLING AND NOW I ONLY HAVE 13,000 MILES ON MY NEW ENGINE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Jaguar Xj8l 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2006-12-07
- Date Complaint: 2006-12-08
- VIN: SAJHX6042XC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS, A NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GEARS SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED IF A TRANSMISSION CLEANING DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Jaguar Xj8l 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2005-07-01
- Date Complaint: 2006-02-15
- VIN: SAJHX624XWC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L CAR WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP AND START,HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF,INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TOP DRIVE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED I THOUGHT IT WAS A COMPUTER BOOT PROBLEM SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD COME AND GO AND WAS SO INTERMITTENT IT COULD NOT BE PICKED UP WHILE AT THE CAR SHOP, DOWNTOWN JAGUAR IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN. I AM A CONTROLS ENGINEER AND THOUGHT THAT I WOULD TROUBLE SHOOT THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED FROM THE INTERNET THE ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS FOR THIS CAR. I FOUND THAT ALL OF THE SYSTEMS HAD A COMMON SOURCE. THIS SOURCE WAS A COMPUTER LOCATED UNDER THE DASH BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENTED WAS CALLED BODY PROCESSOR MODULE OR BPM. IT WAS SEALED AND KNOT OPENED. IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN SOUTH AMERICA BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I FOUND ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD, SOLDER FLASHING WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE BLOWN OFF AT THE END OF ITS SOLDER BATH. THIS BOARD SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLEANED AS WELL BUT IT STILL HAD LARGE AMOUNTS OF SOLDER FLUX WHICH ACTED LIKE GLUE AND KEPT THE SOLDER BALLS IN A SEMI STABLE CONDITION. I CLEANED THE CIRCUIT BOARD WITH A APPROVED CIRCUIT BOARD CLEANER, THEN USED A SOFT BRUSH TO REMOVE ANY ADDITIONAL SOLDER BALLS. I HAD FOUND AN ESTIMATED FIVE HUNDRED TO A THOUSAND SMALL SOLDER BALLS SOME SO SMALL THAT THEY WERE .005 INCHES IN SIZE TO .125 INCHES. WHEN I REMOVED THESE SOLDER BALLS I HAD KNOW FURTHER OCCURRENCES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I REPORTED THIS TO JAGUAR OVER THE INTERNET AND THEY REPLIED WITH AN ANSWER THAT IT WAS KNOT THEIR PROBLEM DO TO THE FACT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM WHEN I DID A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT IS A MANUFACTURE??S DEFECT. IF YOU FIND THIS TO BE THE CASE FOR OTHER JAGUARS. PLEASE LET EVERYONE KNOW SO THEY DON'T HAVE A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT.*JB
Jaguar Xj8l 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2006-01-05
- Date Complaint: 2006-01-12
- VIN: SAJHX6241WC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THIS IS A SECOND ENTRANCE FOR THIS COMPLAINT. THE FIRST ENTRANCE WAS A MISTAKE DUE TO WRONG DATE OF PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2005. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A CARFAX WITH THE VEHICLES HISTORY. I DID HAVE A PASSENGER AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE AND ALMOST HAD A WRECK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT AN INTERSECTION. MY PASSENGERS COMPLAINED OF A STRAINED NECK POSSIBLY WHIPLASH? ANYWAY THE DESCRIPTION IS LISTED BELOW: I OWN A 1998 XJ8L. RECENTLY, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. I ONLY HAVE 72,500 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED JAGUAR AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM. THEY STATED THAT THIS IS HIGH MILEAGE. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT NO IT IS NOT HIGH MILEAGE ENGINES ARE BUILT TO LAST 100,000 MILES. I STATED THAT JAGUAR IS NOT WANTING TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THERE IS A RECALL R478. IT COVERS THE O RING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE TEETH BREAK AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IN VARIOUS FORUMS, I FOUND THAT THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE THREE OTHER ISSUES WITH THESE MODELS IS THE NAKESIL ENGINE, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER. I AM FILING A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST JAGUAR FOR A PRODUCT DEFECT/MALFUNCTION. *JB
Jaguar Xj8l 1998
- Date Of Incident: 1998-12-26
- Date Complaint: 2005-12-29
- VIN: SAJHX6241WC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I CURRENTLY OWN A 1998 XJ8L JAGUAR. THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING A SLIPPAGE APPARENTLY FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ACCELERATING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED JAGUAR REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING ON THE VEHICLE. FROM THIS POINT I CONTACTED ALPINE JAGUAR TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WERE RECALLS BUT NOT ON MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL # IS R478. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT I BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, BUT WOULD NOT WAIVE THE $104.00 INSPECTION FEE. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MECHANIC AND HE STATED MY VEHICLE HAD HIGH MILEAGE (72,400 MI) FOR THAT VEHICLE. I ASKED HIM HOW JAGUAR COULD BUILD A VEHICLE THAT COSTS $65,000 TO ONLY LAST 70,000 MI. IF THAT INFORMATION IS TRUE IT NEEDS TO BE ATTACHED TO ALL OF THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS LIKE CIGARETTES ADVERTISEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WARN AGAINST LUNG CANCER. FROM RESEARCH ON JAGUAR FORUMS AND TALKING TO VARIOUS MECHANICS, I FOUND THAT THE 1998 AND 1999 XK8S AND XJ8S HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES WHEN OVER 50,000 MI. THE THREE MAJOR ISSUES ARE NAKISIL ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND SLIPPAGE ON THE SERPENTINE BELT. MY QUESTION IS WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES WHICH EXPERIENCE THESE RELATED PROBLEMS. IF JAGUAR IS NOT WILLING TO STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, I WILL BE CONTACT OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AND EXPERIENCES TO JOIN ME IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE COMPANY. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *NM
Jaguar Xj8l 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2005-11-03
- Date Complaint: 2005-11-28
- Number Of Injuries: 4
- Crash: 1
- VIN: SAJHD6045XC
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: I WAS THE THIRD CAR IN A FIVE-CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ABOUT 0.5 CAR LENGTH FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN CAR NUMBER 2, A 2004 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP, HIT ME FROM BEHIND. MY CAR, A 1999 XJ8L, SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN THE REAR, BUT ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT SECTION, NO DAMAGE TO BODY SHEET METAL; ONLY ONE BUMPER SHOCK NEEDS REPLACED. THE DRIVER?????S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE DRIVER?????S SEAT COLLAPSE INTO THE REAR BENCH SEAT. THE POSITION OF MY SEAT WHEN I DRIVE IS; THE BACK ADJUSTMENT IS SET AT OR VERY CLOSE TO STRAIGHT UP (90 DEGREES), THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT IS SET ALMOST ALL THE WAY UP, AND THE SEAT DISTANCE FROM THE PEDALS IS VERY CLOSE TO ALL THE WAY BACK. AS A RESULT OF BEING HIT FROM BEHIND, MY BODY WAS THROWN FORWARD ABOUT 10 DEGREES AND WAS WHIPPED BACKWARDS TO A FULL-RECLINED POSITION (ABOUT 175DEGREES). THE ACCIDENT CAUSED MY SEAT TO COLLAPSE INTO THE BACK REAR BENCH SEAT AND AS A RESULT, I WAS IN A FULLY RECLINED POSITION AFTER THE ACCIDENT. IS THE JAGUAR'S FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE? I DID HAVE MY SHOULDER HARNESS AND LAP BELT ON AND THERE WERE NO PASSANGERS IN MY CAR. *NM
Jaguar Xj8l 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2005-05-23
- Date Complaint: 2005-06-01
- VIN: SAJHX6047XC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM 50 TO 60 MPH UP AN ONRAMP MY AMBER LIGHT COMES ON SHOWING "RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE". IT NOW OCCURRS ANY TIME I ACCELERATE TO 65.
Jaguar Xj8l 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2005-04-04
- Date Complaint: 2005-04-08
- VIN: SAJHX6242WC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS FOR MY 1998 JAGUAR XJ8L HAVE DISINTEGRATED IN THE ENGINE. LUCKILY WE FOUND THE PIECES IN THE OIL CHANGE BEFORE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. BUT THIS IS CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO REBUILD THIS AREA OF THE ENGINE. JAGUAR HAS ALL BUT ADMITTED INSTALLING FAULTY PARTS BY REVISING THIS PART TWICE, ONCE WITH A REINFORCED PLASTIC TENSIONER WITH A SPRING, AND FINALLY WITH A METAL TENSIONER THAT WILL NOT BREAK OR CRACK UNDER THE STRESS OF TENSIONING THE TIMING CHAIN.*AK
Jaguar Xj8l 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2004-10-19
- Date Complaint: 2004-10-19
- VIN: PLEASE FILL
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ,THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WA ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *JB
Jaguar Xj8l 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2004-07-10
- Date Complaint: 2004-07-20
- VIN: SAJHX624XWC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 1) TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT 2) TOW TO MECHANIC 3) TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 62,000 MILES - 2ND OWNER - LESS THAN 6 MONTHS *LA