1999 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 1999 Jaguar Xj8l problems
The Jaguar XJ8L, produced from 1997 to 2003, is known for its luxurious design and powerful V8 engine. However, like any car, it has some common problems that owners have reported over the years.
One of the most significant issues is related to the timing chain tensioners, particularly in the early V8 models. These tensioners are made of plastic and can break down over time, causing the chain to jump teeth or even disintegrate, leading to potential engine damage. This problem has been addressed in later models, but if you're considering an early XJ8L, it's essential to check the tensioners' condition and consider replacing them if necessary.
Another issue is related to the Nikasil cylinder linings, which can be affected by high sulfur fuel. This problem is more prevalent in European models, as US fuel typically has lower sulfur content. If your XJ8L has been exposed to high sulfur fuel, it's crucial to monitor the engine's performance and consider using low sulfur fuel or additives to prevent damage.
The cooling system is another area where XJ8L owners have reported problems, particularly with early V8 models. The water pump impellers can break up, causing overheating and potential engine damage. It's essential to ensure that the cooling system is in good condition and that the water pump impeller has been replaced if necessary.
Lastly, the Jaguar XJ8L can experience electrical quirks, particularly during the Ford era of Jaguar production
. While most of these issues have been sorted out, it's essential to be aware of potential electrical problems and seek advice from forums and YouTube resources for maintenance and service information.
In summary, the Jaguar XJ8L is a luxurious and powerful car, but like any vehicle, it has some common problems that owners should be aware of. Regular maintenance, checking the timing chain tensioners, monitoring the cooling system, and being aware of potential electrical issues can help ensure that your XJ8L remains a reliable and enjoyable vehicle.
What problems did the 1998 Jaguar XJ8 have?
1998 XJs had problems with throttles not opening properly, and some 1999 cars had transmission glitches that caused them to lock up. You should also check - or get someone else to check - that the throttle is not fouling the underbonnet liner and that the power steering pipe is not chafing the alternator terminals.
What is the life expectancy of a Jaguar XJ?
What is Jaguar Xj lifespan? 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.
Is a Jaguar XJ8 expensive to maintain?
The average annual repair cost for a Jaguar is $1,123, which means it has average ownership costs.
Are 90s Jaguars reliable?
Jaguar XJ Sedans
For many Jaguar fans, the models released in 1995-1997 are the most reliable vehicles the brand has ever produced and, by extension, some of the most reliable cars of the 90s. Sadly, Jaguar canceled the XJ series due to production capacity issues.
1999 Jaguar Xj8l car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Jaguar Xj8l problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Engine problems
- Visibility problems
- Power train problems
- Seats problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1999 Jaguar Xj8l vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1999 Jaguar Xj8l complaints
The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1999 Jaguar Xj8l.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-09-27
- 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-02-07
- 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
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-05-09
- 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.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-12-07
- 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.
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-11-03
- 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
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-05-23
- 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-04-25
- Fire: 1
- VIN: SAJHD6045XC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMERS SUNROOF AUTOMATICALLY OPENED AND A BURNING SMELL PERMEATED THE COCKPIT. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY CUT THE ENGINE OFF AND PULLED ALL THE FUSES OUT, HOWEVER A FEW MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE TURNED INTO FIRE. IT SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE SUNROOF BUTTON CLUSTER. THE FORENSIC SPECIALIST SAID THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS THE SUNROOF CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER INFORMED JAGUAR OF NORTH AMERICA, HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED AND WOULD NOT FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILED MODULE. *CB A FIRE REPORT IS ENCLOSED. ALSO THE RIGHT FOG LAMP WAS REPLACED. *JB
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-07-12
- VIN: ADD
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, INCREASING THE SPEED TO 90 MPH. CONSUMER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT PIN OF METAL CLIP UNDER ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD WEDGED ITSELF INTO THE RUBBER, CAUSING ACCELERATION.*AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1999 Jaguar Xj8l problems:
What's the most common problems in a 98-01 XJ8 - Jaguar Forums ...
Jul 1, 2012 ... (2)The plastic thermostat housing will eventually crack and leak. This is inevitable, IT'S JUST PLASTIC! (3)Timing chain tensioners are made ...
1999 Jaguar XJ8 Problems and Complaints - 3 Issues
Top 1999 Jaguar XJ8 Problems · Center Arm Rest Cup Holder May Break. 63 people have reported this. 24 · Plastic Timing Chain Tensioners May Fail and Cause ...
1999 XJ8 problems starting! - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts ...
Jan 9, 2008 ... XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 ) - 1999 XJ8 problems starting! - 1999 XJ8 with 85000 miles turn the key and i get STABILITY CONTROL FAIL or something ...
Q&A: 1999 Jaguar Vanden Plas - Buying Process & Common ...
May 19, 2021 ... Cooling system issues and engine issues are common like you already know as well as problems with the electronics are very common as well. At ...
what year XJ8´s to get without engine problems? - Jaguar Forums ...
May 13, 2009 ... Here is the article. A Jaguar owners group reports engine failure due to timing chain tensioner failure: "you are at risk of a ...
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