1998 Jaguar XJ8 XJ-8 from North America - Comments

The throttle switch was replaced 3 times. The gas tank had to be replaced. The spacers on front suspension had to be replaced. When they did not identify that problem immediately, the front tires wore out and had to be replaced. The rear view mirror has been replaced three times. The car stalls while being driven and they have not figured out why or been able to repair it. Jaguar North America then advised me not to drive the car at all and said they would replace it with a 1999 or 2000 model of the same or lesser mileage since those model years do not have "the stalling problem." It is terrifying to be driving at 65 mph and suddenly lose all power.

Jaguar then did not replace the car, failed to respond to my letters and phone calls and have refused to return my purchase price. They then said they could not replace the car because I had not driven it to a new dealer to be appraised. They told me not to drive it because of the danger and then demanded that I drive it. The dealer advised me to sue them. The dealer said he would not take the car in trade and sell it to anyone else because it is simply a bad car and dangerous.The first problems appeared at 1 week. The car has never gone more than 6 weeks without needing some repair.

In spite of the extensive service and repair records (all servicing done at the dealer's under warranty), Jaguar North America then told me I had caused the stalling problem because I had not had the car serviced in 4 years.

Jaguar North America has dragged this problem out since February 2002: they have not answered letters or returned telephone calls. Since the car has a known defect I could not sell it to anyone else.

I have been appalled at the lack of response from Jaguar North America.

At one point they called and told me their engineers had consulted on my vehicle, that it had been repaired and extensively tested.

The first time I took it on a highway it stalled again.The dealer admitted that they had not tested it on a highway, which is where is most often stalled.

Their lack of good faith in this matter has been most distressing. The only times they have responded to me, or now to my attorney, is when I write to Bill Ford, Chairman of Ford Motor Company, with my complaints.They have not kept a single promise.

Their lack of concern for my safety is unbelievable. I had one accident where the car went into a pole when I lost all power. The airbag failed to deploy. My attorney has opined that the airbag failed because the car had lost all electrical power. There was $14,000 worth of damage to the front end. Jaguar told me I was lucky to have been in a Jaguar because I was not hurt and that if the airbag had gone off it probably would have injured me. If I had not been in the Jaguar, I would not have had the accident. At least 4 other people have complained of the same stalling defect to the National Highway Transportation Safety Board.

After the District Manager of Jaguar North America called to tell me not to drive the car, he told me to rent a full sized car and he would reimburse me for the rental. He then stuck me with the car rental bill he had promised to pay.

I have read your review. My 1998 XJ8 VDP has only 38.000 mls. and I had almost no problems. However, I have the exact same stall problem descirbed here. And my dealer says he can't recreate the problem (kind of telling me I am dreaming it up) and now I am out of warranty. What Now?

My business partner has the exact same car (we ordered it at the same time. His had been built about 3 months earlier. He never had the stalling problem, however he had about all the other problems described, such as transmission replaced, rear transaxle replaced, front end bushings worn out. This caused the tires to get worn out, however the dealer also acknowledged that the OEM tires are "junk". (Now I remember, I had the same problem with the tires, but not with the front end bushings).

However, we converted the wheels to the XJR type rims and tires which made a huge difference in wear and improves handling a lot. (If you want to spend the $ US 5,000)

Are there any ways to get the stalling problem fixed. It becomes dangerous at my vehicle as well. Who had you contacted? Are there other people or groups?

Hello, I am a Jaguar technician. I am responding to the 1998 XJ8's with the stalling problem. This is a known problem with this year model Jaguar. I have worked on and fixed at least 8 of these stalling problem cars. The problem is in the throttle body assemblies, on every fifth deceleration the butterfly in the throttle body closes completely, thus going through a cleaning process. The motor in the throttle body is not strong enough to overcome the engine vacuum and re-open, thus causing the engine to stall. I have worked with a field engineer to figure out and fix this problem and none of the cars we had do it, ever returned for this problem again. There is a fix for it and yes it's true Jaguar has no interest in rectifying this problem. I would more than happy to help someone out with this if they need it.

I hope I don't over step my bounds here by giving my email address if so please feel free to delete it. I can be reached at suisyco@jam.rr.com.

I am surprised at the reviews above and have taken them to heart, I was considering a 1992-2000 XJ, but no more. It seems strange that it is just the North American cars that are suffering not the UK cars, as I live in the UK should I take the gamble?? No way, I'll just get an Audi a8 instead.

With all due respect; But if the dealer service and the running costs are so horrible, why you scored 9/10?

By the way, I would like to know

what was your previous car?

And finally, it can sounds a bit stupid, but forgive me for my dumbness, but I can't believe, that you scored the car performance in 0/10!

I do believe, that Jaguar equipped with a V8 Engine cannot be so underpowered and slow.

Maybe, due the stalling problem, was the reason that you put such score for the car performance.

If you answer this comment, I would be very appreciated.

Thank You!

I have a XJ8 1999 and have had the stalling problem in to the dealer 5 times now. They have replaced a brake chip set, something to do with the throttle cable and have sworn the problem is fixed every time. My car is out of warranty now with 57,000 miles and Jaguar North America seems to think it is quite odd that my car does this with out the code set showing up with something wrong.

I would like to know if a class action suit is going on or how I can get rid of this car with out a financial burden.

I too have had stalling problems with my Mad Cat. Recently while returning from the repair shop after paying for my third $1400 plus repair for stalling, the car stalled at 60 miles an hour on a busy interstate putting me and my family in great danger as we drifted over 5 lanes of traffic to get to the side of the road. I have changed computer modules, throttle assemblies and a host of electrical parts. The techs have pulled the wiring harnesses so many times that the door and dash panels just fall off now with the slightest bump.

I contacted Jaguar Customer Service, and was treated as if I was attempting to rip them off for free service. I cannot tell you how incensed I am to find from your post that this is not a maintenance problem, but a design defect. You would think that Ford more than anyone else would want to get to the bottom of a life threatening safety problem, instead I was treated as if I was crazy and told I would have to pay for what I have already paid for three times.

As far as performance, this car utterly lacks performance, it feels like it is dragging soemthing and hesitates when you need power. I have had the front end rub against the tires causing premature tire wear, one tire actually came off forcing us to drive on the rim, and the ride is spoiled by constant vibration.

"Born to Perform" not this car, my Lexus SC 400 was Born to Perform, and Lexis service is outstanding. I would have 10 Lexus engineers at my house if I reported this type of problem to Lexus, Jaguar would do well to follow their lead. In the meantime this car was dead on arrival, I hope I am not.

The Jag Technician comments above are correct. As a matter a fact Jaguar has just issues a recall for this problem. Here is a link:

http://152.122.48.12/prepos/files/Artemis/Public/Foreign%20Campaigns/2004/F-Campaigns/FRCL-04F016-7815.pdf.

Hope this helps.

I have a XJ8 1998 and have had the stalling problem (driving at 65 miles/h and engine goes off + a message displayed "engine stalled". I have taken it to the dealer in North Miami Beach 2 times now. They claimed first it is a system cleaning issue, then something to do with the throttle cable. My car is out of warranty now with 85,000 miles and Jaguar North America seems to think it is quite odd that my car does this with out the code set showing up with something wrong... like I made the story up every time!!

I would like to know if a class action suit is going on.

Email dennysgonzalez@hotmail.com.

I also drive a 1998 XJ 88 and I am having the same stalling problem it seems to happen if I am accelerating above 70mph. I have had to drift over on the interstate several times. It is extremely dangerous. The first time my tech cleaned out the Throttle barrel, that worked for a while and I have also done the same, but it still occurs.

I have been unable to link to the recall site, and when I phoned Jag they said they knew nothing of the problem or the recall. HELP.

Thanks to the person leaving the recall information. It would appear that mine was "lost" in the mail coming from Ford/Jaguar North America. The problems I have had with stalling and compression cannot be understated. I too have been placed in harms way because of this dangerous defect. The Jaguar dealer in Dayton Ohio "fixed" (read did not fix) the issue and it repeatedly would stall within weeks of the maintenance. The latest problem was "no compression", I was told I would need a NEW ENGINE and the cost would be $10,000. I took the car to a different mechanic and they said it didn't need a new engine, but the issue was a timing issue. They have my car running now, but who knows what will happen next. After seeing the recall I can tell you the Jaguar dealer I went to is going to have much to answer to. I too would be interested in a class action suit against Jaguar.

Regarding the recall notice:

Here is the link ~

http://152.122.48.12/prepos/files/Artemis/Public/Foreign%20Campaigns/2004/F-Campaigns/FRCL-04F016-7815.pdf.

The link posted before had a period added on the end which caused the link not to work. The one above will work.

I called Jaguar Customer Satisfaction about the recall and they had no record of it and knew nothing about it. The Jaguar dealership also knows nothing about it. They are sticking with the line that they never heard of stalling occurring and that the lining of the cylinders is coming off causing a build up in the breather and making the engine worthless, thus, they recommended again that I get a new engine installed. I think this is a bunch of bunk as the car drives great in the city, but once I get on the highway it stalls like clockwork.

At this point I am not at all hopeful that Jaguar is owning up to the problem. I wish the Jaguar Technician that posted he had fixed at least 8 of the stalling cars would also post directions as to how to fix the problem. THat would be a HUGE help to me when speaking to a Jaguar service person.

They are totally playing dumb with me.

I also run a 1998 XJ8,the stalling problem is well known over here. The technician who commented on the throttle body was correct. A good technician good with auto electrics can fix the problem. He just needs to know the reading.outputs when the body was new. My mechanic readjusted the electronic part of the throttle body and hey presto no more stalling. Since he worked his magic the car has done over 20000 miles with no problems. Failing this a new throttle body at £700 is probably the answer.

Thanks to this thread I was able to find the recall letter on the Nhtsa web site. When I went to the dealer they knew nothing of the problem. I then spoke to Jag customer service and they said they knew nothing of the recall of the problem. I told them that with 5445 warranty claims for this problem they should know. I then managed to contact the writer of the letter from Ford, eventually he tried all that he could to get Jag to respond. Even he got frustrated at the lack of attention. I eventually called the London office of the the President Premium Automotive Group, his assistant got hold Jag over here and the same customer rep I had been dealing with called me. I explained to her that she could not help and that it was not her fault. I then called back to London and told them not to waste my time with contacting people who had not been able to help. I then got a call from the Supervisor. Cut a long story short. They fixed the problem, dealers are not aware of the problem or the recall. My dealer, Warren Henry was extremely responsive and helpful, and I cannot fault them, they just had not been informed which is unfair on them. Warren Henry Service Manager asked where I found the information and he also pulled it up on the internet, he was actually thankful because he said he had one other customer who had the same problem which they had no idea how to, now he could help them. The joke is that all I wanted was for Jag to tell me there was a recall ands that my car would be fixed when they sent out a notice. I never once demanded they fix my problem. My frustration came from their failure to acknowledge the recall or the problem. I guess they have their heads in the sand.

However we drive and XJ8LBW and an XJR, and I can't think of a better car to drive.

I am a jag owner that has nearly been killed because of the stalling problem. I work for a law firm that plans to file a class action against ford/jaguar for failing to acknowledge this stalling problem and rectify it.

Anyone interested in protecting your rights as a consumer can feel free to contact me at jcwebadx@excite.com OR jcwebadx@yahoo.com.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I was considering buying this car, but now I'll pass... I find it hard to believe the company has that bad customer service!