AI Damage1999 Jaguar Vanden Plas: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Jaguar Vanden Plas filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and vehicle speed control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 50% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 50% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 17% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 17% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (50% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Equipment: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl contact owns a 1999 vanden plas jaguar. When he attempted to move the vehicle in his driveway it suddenly accelerated to 70 mph. He placed both feet on the brake pedal and was unable to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a wall and his right thumb was broken.
1999 jaguar xj8. Consumer writes in regards to pedal being stuck to the floor when trying to accelerate. The consumer stated while driving in heavy traffic, the gas pedal stuck to the floor, almost causing an accident. The consumer had to physically pull the gas pedal up.
I overheated my brakes,and managed to pull the pedal up by hand. The pedal had stuck on a medal stud mounted in the floor under the gas pedal.the jaguar dealer said there was suppose to be a kickdown switch on the stud. I purchased a switch,but I would not fit on the stud.
At 37,092 the thermostat froze, blowing the radiator hose. At 52,058 another thermostat froze, blowing the radiator. Was told by jaguar service that these freeze, and I should bring my jaguar in every 16,000 miles just to be certain.
While driving timing chain failed, causing the engine to blow, and had complete loss of power, including no steering and brakes. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. Also, contacted the manufacturer. Neither were willing to assist consumer.
The engine stalled without warning, which made the vehicle difficult to control.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Vanden Plas has 3 complaints (18 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Jaguar Vanden Plas?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, vehicle speed control, equipment. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: overheating, coolant loss (17%), loss of power / limp mode (17%), stalls while driving (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Jaguar Vanden Plas?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Jaguar Vanden Plas from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.