AI DamageJaguar XJ8L: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Jaguar XJ8L across 2 model years: 24 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 38% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 4% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (38% of all).
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (17% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (8% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (8% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 24 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 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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. I made contact with jaguar and they have been non responsive.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other models of this make
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.