Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Jaguar XJ, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Exterior lighting2
- Power train2
- Unknown or other1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Structure1
- Engine1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the United Kingdom
506 cars built in 1998 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,433 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 756 of these cars first registered in 1998 took their annual MOT test. 69% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1998 the figure was 64%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 13.1% | 12.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.7% | 16.0% |
| Brakes | 7.9% | 11.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.3% | 9.3% |
| Visibility | 6.0% | 6.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.8% | 7.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
17 of these cars first registered in 1998 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 213,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
2 1998 cars are on the New Zealand register; 50% arrived as used imports, 50% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1998 Jaguar XJ.
| 1998026 17 Feb 1998 | Engine THE CABLE ADJUSTER BRACKET NUT ON THE OUTER SLEEVE OF THE THROTTLE CABLE COULD BECOME DISPLACED FROM THE CABLE ABUTMENT BRACKET ON THE ENGINE. SHOULD THE CABLE… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Jaguar told its dealers about the 1998 Jaguar XJ: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634132 | HARD START/NON START CONDITION.*JB |
| 634099 | SELECTOR LEVER DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM PARK, BRAKE LAMP REMAINS LIT, REVISED BRAKE PEDAL AND SWITCH.*JB |
| 634097 | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE VIBRATION/SHIMMY IN THE TIRE ASSEMBLY, MODEL XK 2002 AND 2003.*JB |
| 630824 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE HEATER HOSE. *JB THIS BULLETIN REPLACED BULLETIN 303-48, DATED 02/02. *TT |
| 630820 | SUBJECT REGARDING OIL LEAKS FROM THE OIL FILTER THAT LOOSEN. *JB |
| 629945 | CORROSION IN ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THAT SUPPLY POWER TO THE HEATED WINDSHIELD. *TT |
| 629943 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF NO-START OR IDLE/DRIVEABILITY ISSUES DUE TO THE THROTTLE BODY BORE AND THROTTLE BLADE BECOMING COATED WITH A SOFT STICKY CARBON DEPOSIT. *TT |
| 629548 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE THE DRAFT WELT FOR THE FRONT DOOR OPENING COMING LOOSE AT THE TOP FRONT CORNER. *SLC |
| 625472 | SERVICE ACTION S474 REGARDING ROUTINE CLEANING PROCEDURES FOR VEHICLES EXPERIENCING PARTIAL BLOCKAGE OF THE RESTRICTER IN THE ENGINE PART-LOAD BREATHER. *TT |
| 625470 | THE ANTIFREEZE SOLUTION IN THE COOLING SYSTEM MAY DETERIORATE. THIS PROCEDURE HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM. *TT |
| 625191 | INFORMATION ON POWER ASSIST STEERING PUMP DRIVE PULLEY BOLTS. *JB |
| 625149 | SUBJECT PERTAINING TO AIR CONDITION REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT LEAK.*JB |
| 624902 | SUBJECT REGARDING REPLACEMENT STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS. *YH |
| 623986 | REPLACEMENT STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS LUBRICATE BEFORE INSTALLING. *YH |
| 623815 | INFORMATION REGARDING DAMAGED J-GATE GASKET AVAILABLE SEPARATELY REPAIR PROCEDURE. ON CERTAIN MODELS INCLUDING 1998. *YH |
| 621822 | BRAKE VIBRATION OR JUDDER. *TT |
| 621816 | VARTA LOW-MAINTENANCE BATTERY. *TT |
| 621815 | SOME VEHICLES WITHIN VIN RANGE 812256 - ON MAY EXPERIENCE A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF A GURGLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE GURGLING NOISE IS RARE AND ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICILE IS STATIONARY; THE RADIO IS OFF; THE A/C IS ON; AND / OR THERE IS HEAVY RAIN. *TT |
| 621339 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF A WHISTLING NOISE EMANATING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) SYSTEM. *TT |
| 621338 | THIS TECHNICLA BULLETIN PROVIDES CLEANING INFORMATION / PROCEDURE FOR AIR PARTICLE FILTERS. *TT |
| 621333 | BRAKE CALIPER - SEPARATE SERVICABLE PARTS - REPAIR POLICY. *TT |
| 619992 | IN THE EVENT OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED TO GIVE DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION RELATING TO VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND / OR THE SEAT. *TT |
| 619991 | VARIOUS ENGINE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS. *TT |
| 619989 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE ENGINE, FROM COLD, ON VEHICLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES, UNDER CERTAIN RUNNING CONDITIONS. *TT |
| 619988 | INFORMATION ON DISARMING ACCESSORY INCLINATION SENSOR. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)