Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 1998 Jaguar XJ — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Jaguar XJ year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).
NHTSA lists 1 recall for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND MODIFY THE THROTTLE CABLE SYSTEM.
Campaign 98V022000
NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model/year (common for older, low-volume, or heavy-duty vehicles).
The parts named most often across 11 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
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
GEAR SHIFT LOCKED UP.
DRIVE SHAFT--WHEELS, U JOINTS OUT OF BALANCE.
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
ENGINE FAILED. NLM
DESIGN OF SUNKEN GAUGES MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR DRIVER TO READ THEM IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. NLM
LIGHT BULB FAILED. *YC
ENGINE BELT TENSION FAILURE, VERY NOISY. *YC
DOOR LIGHT LENS FAILED.
VEHILCE LOSES POWER DURING TRAVEL.