AI Damage1998 Jaguar XJR: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Jaguar XJR filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 22% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 22% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (33% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (11% 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 · turbo · 8 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 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 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
May 29, 2012 airbag deployed as car was being unlocked in a parking lot. Vehicle was not running, merely being unlocked with the key fob, as I attempted to enter, the airbag of the drivers side, embedded in the drivers seat, blew, striking me in the head and bagging my head against the outer edge of the door opening.
The contact stated that she opened the front driver's door and the seat cushion air bag inadvertently deployed and knocked her to the ground. The contact lost several teeth. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was found that the air bag wire was chafed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.
Seat support bracket (driver side right rear) cracked in half causing seat to shift suddenly. Causing driver to make unintended steering inputs. Second occurrence same as above except left rear bracket cracked in half on june 10, 2012
While driving vehicle lost power and all warning lights started flashing. (nar)
While driving driver side seat attachment broke at the left rear. When this occurred the seat tilted to the lift side of the door. Dealership replaced the seat track and electronic assembly. This was a common problem with these vehicles.
Car lost power while travelling on highway. All warning lights flashing red.
Consumer states having the same problem as recall#99v138000 power train transmission. Dealer will not repair because vin was not included. Ts
When driving 55-60 mph on highwayvehicle completely shuts down without warning, cause unknown. Dealer cleaned breather system which did not correct the problem. Please give any further details.
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 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the XJR has 3 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Jaguar XJR?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, air bags, seats. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (33%), warning lights, check engine (22%), knocking, grinding or other noise (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Jaguar XJR?
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 1998 Jaguar XJR 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 1998 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.