Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Jaguar XJ8, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 27 | 32% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 12% |
| Power train | 9 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 10% |
| Suspension | 4 | 5% |
| Engine | 3 | 4% |
| Seats | 3 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 1% |
| Power train | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR AT A STAND STILL, THE GEARS FAILED TO ENGAGED PROPERLY WIT THE FUEL INJECTOR, POWER TRAIN, TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS IL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN BROKE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IN ADDITION TO ENGINE DAMAGE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT LIGHTS IS ON INSTRUMENT LIGHTS GO BLANK TRANSMISSION GOES CLUNK IN AND EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
OPERATING MY VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STARTING RUNNING POOR. JAGUAR DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED POORLY DESIGNED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND ARMS HAVE FAILED BECAUSE JAGUAR MADE THE COMPONENTS OUT OF A CHEAP PLASTIC, THAT IS KNOWN T
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AFTER THE FA
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ONCE THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XJ8. WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ENGINE STALL AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAY, NOTICE THERE HAS BEEN RECALL ON THIS BEFORE. JUST PURCHASE THE CAR AND CHECK IT OUT CARFAX AND NO MENTION THIS CAR WAS TAKING IN FOR THIS RECALL CAN I STILL RESPOND TO THIS RECALL A
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Jaguar XJ8. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
| Reliability raw | 89 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 42 | below average |
| Depreciation | 48 | below average |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 27 of them (32%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 89/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.