RoadVitals

1999 Jaguar XK8 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
23
Latest Nov 18, 2010
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Jaguar XK8, 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

  • Engine517.2%
  • Driver assistance413.8%
  • Transmission413.8%
  • Body & structure310.3%
  • Brakes310.3%
  • Fuel system26.9%
  • Suspension26.9%
  • Interior & seats13.4%
  • Powertrain (other)13.4%
  • Steering13.4%
  • Electrical13.4%
  • Tires & wheels13.4%
  • Airbags13.4%

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

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY MODULE, ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND SPARK PLUGS. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A LYMPH MODE. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ID 10267107 · filed Apr 28, 2009

SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE @44K MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID 10181293 · filed Feb 1, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO LIMP HOME MODE AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FASTER THAN 5 MPH. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE COMPUTER MODULE WOULD INDICATE THAT THERE WAS AN ANTI SLIP DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO REPLACED AGAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID 10366704 · filed Nov 18, 2010

I REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR AND APPLIED BRAKE. CAR SURGED FORWARD. I SHIFTED FOOT FARTHER TO LEFT AND CONTINUED BRAKE APPLICATION AND CAR STOPPED. I DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TOO CLOSE TOGETHER SO THAT, WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE, RIGHT SIDE OF FOOT CAN INADVERTENTLY PRESS DOWN ON ACCELERATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10312538 · filed Feb 21, 2010

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP OR HARD DOWNSHIFTS AT SPEEDS OF FIFTEEN MILES OR BELOW ON DECELLATERATION. FOUND RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 99V138000, DATED JUNE 02, 1999, HOWEVER WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF BLOGS OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED WHY NOT TO SOME VEHICLES AND NOT TO ALL TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE AFFECTED. THE JAGUAR PERSON I SPOKE TO WAS VERY DEFENSIVE AND WOULD NOT LET ME GET A WORD IN EDGEWISE, KEPT REPEATING THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ASSOCIATED TO THAT PARTICULAR RECALL. THIS IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT HUNDREDS OF OWNERS ARE FACING AND SHOULD NOT BE ASSOCIATED TO A PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE XJ8 HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10192299 · filed Jun 2, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE BEYOND 15 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WAS $10,000. THE VEHICLE'S 80,000 MILE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON DECEMBER 12, 2006. THE DEALER STATED THAT RECALL # 99V138000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) IS NOT RELATED TO HIS VIN, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE IS DIRECTLY RELATED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL IS NOT RELATED. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE RECEIPTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,712.

NHTSA ID 10191583 · filed May 23, 2007

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I OWN A 1999 JAGUAR XK8. ON AUGUST 8TH I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN HYDRAULIC FLUID STARTED TO POUR FROM THE OVERHEAD NEAR THE INTERNAL LIGHTS. THE HYDRAULIC LINES WHICH FEED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP RUPTURED; MY CAR HAS ONLY 62,000 MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED JAGUAR TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUCH EVENTS OCCURRING IN THE XK8 MODEL. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER SERVICE THEY HAD A READY PRICE TO FIX THE ITEM. ACCORDINGLY IN THE BAY AT THE TIME WERE 3 OTHER OWNERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS WELL OF 2500 DOLLARS NOT INCLUDING REPLACING SEATS AND ELECTRONICS OR MY CLOTHES AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER ME. JAGUAR TAKES NO CULPABILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE TOP WERE DOWN THE HYDRAULIC SPRAY COULD HAVE BLOWN IN TO MY EYES AND CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT DUE TO MY INABILITY TO SEE. THUS AFTER NUMEROUS LETTERS JAGUAR HAS NOT ACCEPTED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUS AS A DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE RETAINED THE RUPTURED HYDRAULIC LINES AND THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS A RECALL ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10202119 · filed Sep 6, 2007

I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND BECAUSE I HEARD A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT A LARGE BOLT THAT CONNECTS THE CROSSBEAM AND UPPER CONTROL ARM CAUSED WEAR ON THESE PARTS AND THAT THESE AS WELL AS BEAM MOUNTING BRACKES AND VARIOUS BOLT ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID IT WAS GOOD THAT I BROUGHT IT IN WHEN I DID BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL COULD COME OFF AT ANY TIME. THEY ALSO SAID THAT JAGUAR WOULD NOT COVER THIS REPAIR UNDER THEIR SELECT EDITION WARRANTY. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS OVER $4000.00

NHTSA ID 10128105 · filed Jul 8, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR AND APPLIED BRAKE. CAR SURGED FORWARD. I SHIFTED FOOT FARTHER TO LEFT AND CONTINUED BRAKE APPLICATION AND CAR STOPPED. I DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TOO CLOSE TOGETHER SO THAT, WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE, RIGHT SIDE OF FOOT CAN INADVERTENTLY PRESS DOWN ON ACCELERATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10312538 · filed Feb 21, 2010

HYDRAULIC LINES, LOCATED OVER WINDSHIELD, WHICH OPERATE CONVERTIBLE TOP, LEAK AND SPRAY HYDRAULIC FLUID INTO EYES OF DRIVER. THIS NEARLY RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10236963 · filed Aug 5, 2008

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I OWN A JAGUAR 1999 XK8- IT HAS REPEATEDLY GONE INTO THE "LIMP HOME MODE" WHILE ON THE FREEWAY TWICE CAUSING CARS AROUND ME TO CRASH WHILE AVOIDING ME. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND SPENT THOUSANDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT IT STILL RECURS. I HAVE JUST HAD A DIFFERENT SHOP WORK ON IT AND HAVE GONE BACK 3 TIMES WITH OUT IT BEING FIXED. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IN ANY LANE OTHER THAN THE RIGHT LANE. IN TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION I FOUND THAT IT HAS BEEN THE CAUSE OF SOME ACCIDENTS AND IS NOT UNCOMMON. MOST OF THE DEALERS I HAVE TALKED TO AND THE ONLINE FORUMS ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT RELATES TO THE THROTTLE BODY JUST SHUTTING DOWN. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY. I HAVE GONE TO DRIVING WITH A "ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC" READER PLUGGED IN TO THE PORT SO THAT IF WHEN IT HAPPENS I CAN QUICKLY CLEAR THE CODE AND MOVE SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC. IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF PROBLEM THIS HAS CAUSED A LARGE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS. JAGUAR MUST BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DEALERS SURE ARE. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN GET THEM TO TAKE CORRECTIVE MEASURES BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. THANKS FOR YOU CONSIDERATION. THE DATE OF MY LAST SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS 4/22/09 WHICH IS THE 5TH SERVICE CALL FOR THIS IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. DURING THAT TIME I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN IT ABOUT 6,500 MILES AND AM AFRAID TO SELL IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10267099 · filed Apr 28, 2009

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS DUE TO THE STABLIITY CONTROL CHIP LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE BODY GOING BAD. WHEN THE WHEELS BREAK LOOSE, A SENSOR SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE CHIP IN THE THROTTLE BODY TO SLOW THE ENGINE SO IT DOES NOT OVER-REV. THIS CHIP ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IS MALFUNCTIONING AND 'FIRING' ON ITS OWN RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED. THIS FIRST OCCURRED 18 MONTHS AGO AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ($1800). IT JUST STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND THE NEW THROTTLE BODY ONLY HAD 13K MILES ON IT. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE AGAIN AND THEY ONLY CHARGED ME ANOTHER $730. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND THIS IS DANGEROUS AS SOMEONE ALMOST REAR ENDED HER. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A DEALER ADVISORY REGARDING A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER JAGUAR MODEL. I SAVED BOTH THROTTLE BODIES SO YOU MAY BORROW THEM IF YOU WOULD LIKE. OTHERWISE THEY WILL BE SOME EXPENSIVE BOOK ENDS. WE WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER JAGUAR DUE TO THIS RECURRING PROBLEM BUT I HOPE SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY START TREATING THEIR CUSTOMERS RIGHT ARD CORRECT THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 10124349 · filed Jun 6, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: CONSUMER STATES: BROUGHT IN VEHICLE DUE TO DEFECTIVE CONVERTIBLE TOP. FOUND OUT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS BRACKETS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE FRAME WERE BREAKING. THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME AND WERE COMING LOOSE. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER TO STOP DRIVING VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY. THE FRONT TWO TIRES TREAD WAS WORN. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID 10123821 · filed Jun 1, 2005

THE RIGHT AND LEFT CONTROL ARMS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AFTER CONSUMER NOTICED THE TWO RIGHT FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING OUT. MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10117596 · filed Apr 7, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I OWN A 1999 JAGUAR XK8. ON AUGUST 8TH I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN HYDRAULIC FLUID STARTED TO POUR FROM THE OVERHEAD NEAR THE INTERNAL LIGHTS. THE HYDRAULIC LINES WHICH FEED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP RUPTURED; MY CAR HAS ONLY 62,000 MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED JAGUAR TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUCH EVENTS OCCURRING IN THE XK8 MODEL. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER SERVICE THEY HAD A READY PRICE TO FIX THE ITEM. ACCORDINGLY IN THE BAY AT THE TIME WERE 3 OTHER OWNERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS WELL OF 2500 DOLLARS NOT INCLUDING REPLACING SEATS AND ELECTRONICS OR MY CLOTHES AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER ME. JAGUAR TAKES NO CULPABILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE TOP WERE DOWN THE HYDRAULIC SPRAY COULD HAVE BLOWN IN TO MY EYES AND CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT DUE TO MY INABILITY TO SEE. THUS AFTER NUMEROUS LETTERS JAGUAR HAS NOT ACCEPTED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUS AS A DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE RETAINED THE RUPTURED HYDRAULIC LINES AND THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS A RECALL ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10202119 · filed Sep 6, 2007

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AT SLOW SPEEDS REAR END, WHEN SHIFTING, CLANGS AND DOESN'T CATCH QUICKLY. *AK

NHTSA ID 10037248 · filed Sep 4, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SUDDEN LOOSE STEERING, COULD RESULT IS LOSS OF CONTROL. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF UPPER AND LOWER STEERING COLUMN. REPLACEMENT LOWER COLUMN SUPPLIED BY MANUFACTURED IS REDESIGNED AND STRENGTHENED. DEALER RESPONSE WAS "OUT OF WARRANTY". SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE - COMPLETE FAILURE OF STEERING WOULD BE LIKELY IF CONTINUED USE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10147095 · filed Jan 6, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JAGUAR XK8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY MODULE, ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND SPARK PLUGS. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A LYMPH MODE. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ID 10267107 · filed Apr 28, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: CONSUMER STATES: BROUGHT IN VEHICLE DUE TO DEFECTIVE CONVERTIBLE TOP. FOUND OUT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS BRACKETS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE FRAME WERE BREAKING. THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME AND WERE COMING LOOSE. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER TO STOP DRIVING VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY. THE FRONT TWO TIRES TREAD WAS WORN. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID 10123821 · filed Jun 1, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 15 MPH COLLISION HITTING A TREE IN WHICH PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING PASSENGER TO RECEIVE FACE BURNS AND A FRACTURED ARM.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID 892979 · filed Jul 17, 2001

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

Data on this page last refreshed .