1998 Jaguar Xj Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Jaguar Xj, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine545.5%
- Exterior lighting218.2%
- Body & structure19.1%
- Fuel system19.1%
- Powertrain (other)19.1%
- Transmission19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE HAD THE COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM AND WATER PUMP REPLACED. THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PLACEMENT OF WHERE THE GAS CAP IS LOCATED ON THE VEHICLE (ON TOP NEAR THE TRUNK) RATHER THAN ON THE SIDE. WHEN THERE IS A HARD RAIN, WATER LEAKS INTO THE GAS TANK; DIRT AND DEBRIS GATHER IN THE OPENING FOR THE GAS TANK AND MUST BE FREQUENTLY CLEANED OUT. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WILL REFUSE TO START AGAIN. IN READING COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THE PLASTIC PARTS USED IN THE ENGINE, PERHAPS THIS IS MY PROBLEM. AS FAR BACK AS THE COMPLAINTS GO ABOUT THE UNRELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL TO DETERMINE WHY THE CAR WILL JUST STOP RUNNING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
UPPER RADIATOR HOSE BLEW OFF ENGINE AFTER BEING PARK IN MY GARAGE. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
LIGHT BULB FAILED. *YC
DOOR LIGHT LENS FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE INSPECTED BY FOREST FLOCK, MOTOR VEHICLE FORENSIC SERVICE. FOUND DESIGN FLAW IN FRONT AND REAR SUB-FRAME. RESULTING IN OSCILLATION FROM FRONT TO REAR OF VEHICLE. OSCILLATION OCCURS FROM 50 MPH TO 80 MPH DURING TEST. MR. FLOCK STATES THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO COMPONET FAILURE SUPPORTING ENGINE AND ALL COMPONENTS THE SUB-FRAMES . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE HAD THE COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM AND WATER PUMP REPLACED. THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PLACEMENT OF WHERE THE GAS CAP IS LOCATED ON THE VEHICLE (ON TOP NEAR THE TRUNK) RATHER THAN ON THE SIDE. WHEN THERE IS A HARD RAIN, WATER LEAKS INTO THE GAS TANK; DIRT AND DEBRIS GATHER IN THE OPENING FOR THE GAS TANK AND MUST BE FREQUENTLY CLEANED OUT. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WILL REFUSE TO START AGAIN. IN READING COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THE PLASTIC PARTS USED IN THE ENGINE, PERHAPS THIS IS MY PROBLEM. AS FAR BACK AS THE COMPLAINTS GO ABOUT THE UNRELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL TO DETERMINE WHY THE CAR WILL JUST STOP RUNNING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVE SHAFT--WHEELS, U JOINTS OUT OF BALANCE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
GEAR SHIFT LOCKED UP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .