Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Jaguar XK8, and it carries 2 recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 5 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 16% |
| Visibility | 3 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 6% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WOULD NOT START, BATTERY RUN DOWN IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK. STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHY HASN'T JAGUAR BEEN ORDERED TO RECALL THE 1997 THROUGH 2002 1/2 MODELS FOR THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER PLASTIC GUIDE ISSUE? IT HAS BEEN REPORTED HERE IN THE PAST, AND IS WIDELY KNOWN ACROSS THE INTERNET. I WOULD JUST
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XK8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 35-50 MPH, THERE WAS A GROWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT WHEN ACCELERATING
NHTSA complaint: Power train
1998 XK8 STALLED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIRD INCIDENT. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE; NO REPAIR SUGGESTIONS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
IN TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES, MY 1998 JAGUAR XK8 HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IN BOTH CASES, I HAD STARTED THE ENGINE FROM COLD AT ABOUT 50 DEGREES AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, DRIVEN ABOUT THREE MILES IN CITY TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY REAR VISION MIRROR FAILED. IT FOGGED UP AND BEGAN LEAKING AN OILY SUBSTANCE. I COULDN'T SEE; IT WAS RAINING AND I HAD A PERILOUS JOURNEY HOME. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
1998 JAGUAR XK8 HAS A HISTORY OF STALLING ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OF 55-60MPH. THIS OCCURRED TWICE (PRIOR OWNER - 38,246 MILES) - PRIOR OWNER TOLD BY JAGUAR THAT AUTOMOBILE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY REPLACING THROTTLE. SAM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 JAGUAR XK8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND IS NOT SHIFTING GEARS CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Jaguar XK8. 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).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CABLE ADJUSTER BRACKET NUT ON THE OUTER SLEEVE OF THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME DISPLACED FROMTHE CABLE ABUTMENT BRACKET ON THE ENGINE.
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LIMITED OPENING OF THE THROTTLE WILL OCCUR, EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND MODIFY THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 63 | 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 32 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 5 of them (16%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (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 76/100, 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: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. 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.