Recalls: Jaguar X308 XJ
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Jaguar X308 XJ
- In February 1998, a recall was issued for Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles due to a condition in which the throttle cable could become detached from a bracket on the engine (PRA 1998/3473).
- In September 2003, a recall was issued for Jaguar X308 XJ models manufactured from 1998 to 2000 in the VIN range 812256 to F15803 for possible arcing from the power steering rack return to the alternator; this could potentially cause a fire (PRA 2003/6436).
Problems and faults: Jaguar X308 XJ
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
AJ26 V8 engine: chain tensioners
For Jaguar X308 XJ engines produced from 1996 to 2000, the original all-plastic timing chain tensioners or guides were susceptible to stress fractures and could break apart. Symptoms of worn chain tensioners include a rattling noise on start up or unusually rough running – if experienced, the engine should be turned off immediately and not restarted. If the upper chain tensioners fail, the pistons can contact the valves and cause serious engine damage. The lower tensioners can also break, though their breakage does not damage the engine. If the vehicle is fitted with the first generation tensioners, preventative replacement is recommended at 60,000 km.
In October 1998, more reliable second generation tensioners (with some metal components) were introduced from engine no. 98102106XX (see technical bulletin 303-30).
From August 2001, all-metal ‘third generation tensioners’ were available.Relatedly, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 303-68 in March 2005 for 1998-02 model year Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to F41862. In these vehicles, a rattling noise may be heard from the engine on start-up and at idle due to a failed primary or secondary timing chain tensioner. If there was a fault with the primary tensioner, all primary and secondary tensioners had to be replaced. If, however, a secondary tensioner had failed, then both secondary tensioners required replacement. When installing the new secondary tensioner, updated (shorter) bolts were to be fitted.
Nikasil failure
In overseas (i.e. non-Australian) markets and particularly the US, there were cases of the Nikasil cylinder linings degrading due to high sulfur levels in the fuel. Symptoms of worn cylinder liners include difficulty starting, sluggish performance and piston slap. A blow-by compression test will indicate whether the cylinder linings are intact – an engine in good condition should rate between 9 and 19 litres of air per minute; more than 30 litres of air per minute indicates worn liners.
From August 2000, the Nikasil linings were replaced with steel linings (engine serial number 0008181043). The original spark plugs and ignition coils may deteriorate before the manufacturer’s recommended 160,000 km replacement interval, causing rough running and poor starting.
Jaguar X308 XJ: engine vibration noise
In December 2002, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 100-21 for 2002 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with naturally aspirated V8 engine and VINs in the range F44114 to F55936. In some of these vehicles, there may be an engine vibration or noise that occurs at engine speeds above 1000 rpm. According to the technical bulletin, this noise was caused by the oil pump resonating, which in turn caused the engine oil pan to vibrate. To fix, a new engine oil pump which had a modified oil pressure release valve was to be fitted.
Jaguar X308 XJ: part-load engine breather blockage
In October 2004, Jaguar issued amended technical bulletin 600-03 for 1998-01 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to F25708. During normal service, the V8 engines in these vehicles could experience partial blockage of the restrictor in the engine part-load breather – this blockage would restrict the correct operation of the engine breather system. As part of Service Action S474, a routine cleaning procedure was to be performed on the restrictor at 16,000 kilometre intervals.
Jaguar X308 XJ: throttle body & Service Action S514 – engine cuts out
In November 2004, Jaguar issued amended technical bulletin 303-S514 for 1998 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with naturally aspirated engines and 1998-99 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with supercharged engines. In these vehicles, operation of the throttle could cause the engine to cut out, although the engine would continue to be driven by the road wheels through the transmission and drive the ancillaries (so there should be no loss of power steering, brakes, air conditioning, etc). The engine should restart without difficulty once the vehicle had come to rest.
As part of Service Action S514, the following measures were to be performed:
- 1998 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with naturally aspirated or supercharged engines and VINs in the range 812256 to 819771: reprogram ECM;
- 1998 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with naturally aspirated engines and VINs in the range 819772 to 853935: replace throttle body; and,
- 1998-99 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with supercharged engines and VINs in the range 819772 to 878717: replace throttle body.
Jaguar X308 XJ: difficulty starting and engine hesitation
In April 2002, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 303-52 for 1999-00 model year Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with naturally aspirated AJ27 engines and VINs in the range 0853956 to F20644. In these vehicles, two conditions may arise:
- Difficulty starting or a failure to start from cold when the vehicle travelled only a short distance the previous day (1999-00 model year vehicles); and,
- Slight engine hesitation when the air conditioning or slow speed-cooling fan operated (2000 model year only).
For affected vehicles, the engine control module (ECM) was to be reprogrammed using the JTP 759/12 or later version of the Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS) disc.
Jaguar X308 XJ: coolant leaking from heater hoses
In February 2002, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 303-48 for 1998-99 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to 878274. In these vehicles, coolant may leak from the heater hoses. To fix, both heater hoses were to be replaced and the coolant system flushed.
Jaguar X308 XJ: steering rack knock or rattle
In April 2002, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 211-06 for 1998-03 Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to F59525. In these vehicles, the driver may experience a rattling or knocking noise from the steering rack. For the Jaguar XJ, a modified lower steering column entered production from F20645. For affected vehicles, the modified lower steering column could be fitted as well as a new steering rack return line.
Jaguar X308 XJ: Service Action S468 – rear hub carrier fulcrum bolts
In November 1998, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 204-10 for 1998 model year Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 837386 to 840302. Some of these vehicles may have had outer fulcrum bolts of the incorrect specification in the rear suspension; the fulcrum bolts connected the rear hub carriers to the outer ends of the rear suspension wishbones. As part of Service Action S468, the fulcrum bolts on all vehicles within the above VIN ranges were to be replaced.
Jaguar X308 XJ: Service Action S499 – lower wishbone front bushing
In August 2003, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 204-S499 for 1999-00 model year Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles VINs in the range 862295 to F11235. The lower wishbone bushings in the front arms of these vehicles could split, though this was less likely for vehicles manufactured after February 2000 due to improved parts used from that date. The updated specification replacement parts for the wishbone front arm bushing was MNE 1360BB.
Jaguar X308 XJ: brake pedal and switch
In April 2002, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 206-07 for 1998-02 Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to F50212. In these vehicles, drivers may experience the following:
- Being unable to remove the gear lever from the ‘Park’ position when depressing the brake pedal;
- The brake lights may illuminate without depressing the brake pedal; and,
- ‘FAILSAFE’ may be displayed in the message centre and Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1571 may be stored in the ECM.
To address these concerns, an improved brake pedal switch assembly was introduced on Jaguar XJ vehicles from VIN F05566. The improved brake pedal switch assemblies were interchangeable with those previously fitted.
Jaguar X308 XJ: TPS, wiring harness connector and DTC P0121
In November 2002, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 303-58 for 1999-01 model year Jaguar XK vehicles with AJ27 engines and VINs in the range 031303 to A22860. In these vehicles, Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0121 (Throttle Position Signal) may be stored in the ECM due to a mismatch of electrical connector terminal materials between the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) and the wiring harness electrical connector (gold terminals on the TPS and tin terminals on the wiring harness). To fix, new gold terminals were to be installed into the TPS wiring harness electrical connector.
Jaguar X308 XJR: loss of performance due to loose intake ducts
In August 2003, Jaguar issued amended technical bulletin 303-57 for 1998-03 model year Jaguar X308 XJR vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to F59525. In these vehicles, a loss of performance may be experienced due to the intake ducts not being fitted securely. Revised ducts and clamp plates were introduced to fix this problem.
Jaguar X308 XJR: ‘restricted performance’ and limp home mode
In March 2002, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 303-49 for 2000-02 model year Jaguar XJR vehicles with VINs in the range F00103 to F40247. In these vehicles, the ‘Restricted Performance’ message may be displayed on the message centre to indicate that the vehicle is running in ‘Limp Home’ mode. A revised engine management system calibration was issued to prevent this condition.
Jaguar X308 XJ: overheating and coolant pump
In April 2003, Jaguar issued amended technical bulletin 303-60 for 1998-03 model year Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to F59525. This technical bulletin was issued due to the unnecessary replacement of coolant pumps in response to overheating, incorrect diagnosis of leakage or incorrect identification of impeller material.
For Jaguar XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to 843500, the coolant pump was to be replaced if it had the following part number: 96JV-8501-CA, 96JV-8501-CB, 96JV-8501-CC or 96JC-8501-CD. To check the coolant pump part number, the coolant pump pulley had to be removed.
For Jaguar XJ vehicles with VINs after 843501, it was not necessary to remove the coolant pump pulley for inspection unless there was a genuine coolant pump concern
Jaguar X308 XJ: chirping accessory drive belt
In January 2003, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 303-59 for 2001-03 model year Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range F20645 to F59525. In these vehicles, a chirping noise may be heard from the Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) due to misalignment of the drive belt. For affected vehicles, a revised FEAD belt tensioner and a new FEAD belt were to be fitted; the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor locating dowel was also be checked to see that it was installed correctly (i.e. it should be protruding by at least 3.2 mm). If not, a new A/C compressor/PAS pump bracket was also to be fitted.
Jaguar X308 XJ: Service Action S498 – ‘Engine Fail Safe’
In July 2003, 2004, Jaguar issued amended technical bulletin 303-S498 for 1999 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with naturally aspirated engines and VINs in the range 867156 to 878269. In these vehicles, engine performance may be impaired by a manufacturing issue with one of the throttle body components – this would cause the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) to illuminate and the message ‘Engine Fail Safe’ to be displayed on the message centre. If the date code on the throttle body was in the range 10T5 to 11T25 (inclusive), the throttle body was to be replaced.
Jaguar X308 XJ: transmission thumps when cold
In August 2003, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 307-14 for 2000-03 model year Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range F00103 to F59525. In these vehicles, the driver may experience ‘transmission shift quality issues’, most noticeable when the engine air intake temperature is between 20-30 degrees Celsius and when coolant temperature is below 40 degrees Celsius. In these conditions, engine speed would increase to 1300 rpm for an initial 30 seconds and then reduce to 1000 rpm. During the initial period when the engine speed is at 1300 rpm, the driver may experience the following:
- With no throttle application, the transmission hesitates and then thumps into gear when shifting from neutral to drive; and,
- With no throttle application, the transmission hesitates and then thumps into gear when shifting from neutral to reverse.
For affected vehicles, a new Transmission Control Module (TCM) was to be installed.
Jaguar X308 XJR: exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) transfer pipe
In July 2004, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 309-S501 for 2000-01 model year Jaguar XJR vehicles with VINs in the range F00103 to F30384. In these vehicles, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) transfer pipe fitted to vehicles within the above VIN range may crack due to a combination of normal engine resonance and the form of the pipe. If cracked, the ‘check engine’ Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and the engine may make more noise than usual. As part of Service Action S501, the EGR transfer pipe was to be replaced with a redesigned EGR transfer pipe for all vehicles within the above VIN range.
Coolant/water pump failure
In April 2003, Jaguar issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 303-60 due to water pumps which had nylon impellers that could wear and break up, potentially causing the engine to overheat. As such, coolant pumps with the following part numbers were to be replaced:
- 96JV-8501-CA;
- 96JV-8501-CB;
- 96JV-8501-CC; and,
- 96JV-8501-CD.
For the Jaguar X308 XJ, this corresponded to serial numbers 812256 to 843500. It is understood that these serial numbers correspond to Jaguar XK and XJ vehicles manufactured prior to 1998.For vehicles after these serial numbers, the water pump had phenyl sulphide impellers which were not susceptible to wear.
Jaguar X308 XJ: front seat memory and movement problems
In April 2000, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 501-35 for post-1998 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with VINs after 812256. In the event of incorrect functioning of the memory settings for the front seats, particularly where only partial travel is reported, it is possible that the wiper (moving contact) of the feedback potentiometer may be out of synchronisation with the mechanical mechanism.
Jaguar X308 XJ: instrument pack assembly and CAN failure
In December 2001, Jaguar issued amended technical bulletin 413-S484 for 2000 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with VINs in the range F00103 to F09691. Some of these vehicles may display multiple electrical circuit malfunctions such as:
- Multiple warning lights;
- No messages displayed on the message centre;
- All or some gauges go to zero;
- Gear selector will not come out of the park position; and,
- No A/C operation.
According to the technical bulletin, these malfunctions may be due to a Controller Area Network (CAN) failure in the instrument pack caused by a short to ground – this was due to a combination of pressure from the instrument pack back plate and possible migration of solder on certain printed circuit board (PCB) contacts.
Jaguar X308 XJ: revised fuel filler cap
In June 2005, Jaguar issued amended technical bulletin 310-S509 for 2001-03 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with VINs in the range F20644 to F59525. In these vehicles, it may be difficult to properly seat the fuel filler cap due to a large lead angle on the fuel filler cap. Incorrectly installed fuel filler caps could leak to a vapor leak and result in the ‘check engine’ Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminating. For vehicles in the above VIN range, a revised fuel filler cap was to be installed.
Jaguar X308 XJ: poor heater performance
In September 2001, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 303-11 for 1998-99 model year Jaguar XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 812256 to 878274. In some of these vehicles, the anti-freeze solution in the cooling system may deteriorate and reduce circulation through the heater core, resulting in poor heater performance. For vehicles with poor heating, the coolant was to be replaced with XLC Extended Life Coolant (introduced after VIN 878274 for XJ vehicles). For further information, please refer to the service bulletin.
Thermostat failure
For V8 engines from the late 1990s, the thermostat should be replaced every two years as a failed thermostat can cause secondary problems such as the engine warning light, low coolant indicator and other symptoms.
Jaguar X308 XJ: transmission recall (US only)
In July 1999, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 307-11 for 1999 model year Jaguar X308 XJ vehicles with naturally aspirated engines and VINs in the range 852857 to 871502. For a limited number of these vehicles, the ZF 5HP24 automatic transmission may have a component which had the potential for failure due to an incorrect manufacturing process. In the event of the component concerned failing in one possible manner, the complete powertrain of the vehicle could lock up (though this was only likely to occur at very low vehicle speed as the transmission downshifted into 1st). For affected vehicles, the transmission was to be replaced.
Jaguar XJ: ZF 5HP24 transmission
For the Jaguar XJ8 (but not XJR), the five-speed ZF 5HP24 automatic transmission was described as a ‘sealed for life’ unit, though transmission fluid changes are recommended every few years. For this transmission, a steel retraining clip can wear through the steel surround and fall out, causing the gears to slip or require higher engine speeds before ‘Drive’ engages.
A transmission fluid leak at the dipstick may be due to a blockage of the transmission breather pipe.
Jaguar XJR: Mercedes W5A580 transmission
For the Jaguar XJR, the output shaft and planetary gear assemblies for the Mercedes W5A580 transmission were susceptible to failure.
Supercharger noise
For the Jaguar XJR, rumbling noises from the supercharger may be due to worn bearings which require replacement.
Spark plugs and coils
The original spark plugs and ignition coils may deteriorate before the manufacturer’s recommended 160,000 km replacement interval, causing rough running and poor starting.
Windscreen wipers
The windscreen wiper may behave erratically (i.e. wiping several times instead of once, stopping randomly and out of position) and require the wiper motor to be replaced.
