AI Damage2001 Jaguar XK8 reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Jaguar XK8 filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 6 Latches, locks, linkages 10% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (10% 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
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
2001 jaguar xk8 experienced sudden acceleration when the brakes were depressed. As a result the consumer collided with a vehicle which was stopped in front of his. The accident caused property damage to the other persons vehicle.
While driving at 60-65 mph on a 4 lane highway the car took a hard turn left. When I attempted to correct it was if I had no steering what so ever. This resulted in a collision and spin out with my car and the other car. My dealer said this can't happen, but it did .
Air bag warning light lights up when adult passenger sits in passenger seat and buckles safety belt. Car is 2001 jaguar xk8. Jaguar usa says vehicle is out of warranty...too bad! Cost to repair approx $1400. Can you help?
Failure of the secondary timing chain tensioners. This results in the need for a complete rebuild of the engine. I am told by the dealer that they have seen a few of these since it is poorly designed.
Specifically my jaguar xk8 would display warning lights and messages while rapidly dropping to a speed of about 1 mile an hour and would go no faster. The messages indicated the following: restricted performance, failsafe engine mode, trac not available, asc not available.
Whenever the convertible top is down hydraulic fluid leaks from the release handle over the window. Dealer has attempted to fix the problem on three different occasions.
Consumer states that while driving, the vehicle suddenly lost the power steering without warning and almost lost control of the vehicle. Dealer contacted. Ts the consumer also stated that there was smoke coming from under the hood and a fluid leak. Scc
These problems were only when the sunroof was open. The first symptom was bad headaches. Eyes begin to feel dry and there is difficulty focusing. Without warning the eyes seem to be stuck in the sockets resulting in very bad double vision. Sunroof was stuck in the open position.
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 10,222 of 32,261 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the XK8 has 17 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 10, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Jaguar XK8?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, structure. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%), windows, sunroof (20%), airbag warning light (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Jaguar XK8?
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 2001 Jaguar XK8 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 2001 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 2026-11-07.