RoadVitals

1997 Jaguar XK8

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Aug 16, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Jaguar XK8, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 192 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1129.7%
  • Electrical513.5%
  • Driver assistance410.8%
  • Suspension38.1%
  • Visibility25.4%
  • Fuel system25.4%
  • Interior & seats25.4%
  • Transmission25.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The 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.
The remedy: 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
97V045000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Mar 20, 1997
2,303 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT SHAFT RETAINING RINGS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION CAN BECOME DISPLACED ALLOWING THE OUTPUT SHAFT TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT.
The risk: IF THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEPARATES, THE REAR SUSPENSION WOULD COLLAPSE ON THE AFFECTED SIDE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL SERIAL NUMBER AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE NECESSARY PARTS.
JAGUAR CARSView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 30
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 16, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND SLOWING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ID
11120451
Incident
Aug 16, 2018
Mileage
142,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 30, 2014
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVERS SEAT SUDDENLY BEGAN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE SEAT BACK LEANING FORWARD AS WELL. THIS FORCED ME UP AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST CRUSHING ME. I TRIED TO USE THE SEAT CONTROLS TO STOP THE MOVEMENT AND RETURN THE SEAT TO IT'S PROPER POSITION BUT THE SWITCH OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651382
Incident
Oct 27, 2014
Mileage
146,023 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 22, 2012

WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 JAGUAR XK8 ON POLARIS PARKWAY @50MPH, THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER. I HAD TO WEAVE OUT OF THE MIDDLE LANE IN ORDER TO REDUCE A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT.. *TR THE LOCAL JAGUAR DEALER TESTED AND REPORTED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED THUS CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER...DURING THE DEALER TEST DRIVE, THE CAR ALSO LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY #670.. DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE, JAGUAR SHOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS..

NHTSA ID
10466913
Incident
May 16, 2012
Mileage
61,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JAGUAR XK8. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOPPING CENTER AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, SHE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TENSION BAR FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $18,000. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,604. UPDATED 04/28/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10261454
Incident
Mar 5, 2009
Mileage
44,604 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 4, 2008

1997 JAGUAR XK8 RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT RIGHT TIRE LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. HE WOULD LIKE MORE INFO AND INVESTIGATION OF THIS PROBLEM. *KB THE RIGHT FRONT ROLLER BEARING FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10220572
Incident
Mar 3, 2008
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2006

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED, BROKEN CHAIN, BENT VALVES. JAG SERVICE SAID '97 XK8 HAD FAULTY TENSIONERS. MOST WARRANTY REPLACED. MANY NHTSA COMPLAINTS & TSB'S ON THIS FAILURE. JAG. IS AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. JAG. AGREED TO PAY FOR 1/2 REPAIR, IF I BOUGHT A NEW JAG. NOT ACCEPTABLE! DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED ON THE FREEWAY FOR JAG TO TAKE NOTICE! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM! NOT JUST SERVICE BULLETINS! BOTH SERVICE AND SALES SAID THAT THESE TENSIONERS WILL FAIL! REVISED TENSIONERS WERE USED ON LATER MODELS! *JB

NHTSA ID
10153626
Incident
Mar 12, 2006
Mileage
61,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 30, 2004

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT STALLED THREE TIMES IN TWO WEEKS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FOREIGN VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. *AK THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10081415
Incident
Jun 28, 2004
Mileage
20,700 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 23, 2004

CAR STALLS (CUTS OUT) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FIRST 2 TIMES I HAD TO LET IT STOP, TURN OFF AND RESTART. THE LAST INSTANCE JUST AS I WAS TRYING TO PULL OVER IT RESTARTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10082546
Incident
Jul 21, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

EQUIPMENT

SIM card activation issues

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A customer may report "Hood Open" message displays on IP with hood closed.

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

EQUIPMENT

InControl Touch Pro phase 4 customer letter

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Jaguar XK8 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004010—
2003610—
2002410—
2001101050.6
2000111043.3
1999231035.9
1998322042.4
1997Viewing302042.4

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.