Consumer Complaint Detail

JAGUAR / XJ8 / 1999

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 004307863 Incident Date: Mar, 08 2004
Consumer's City: ALEXANDRIA Consumer's State: VA
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Jaguar Cars, Ltd.
Model Name: XJ8 Model Year: 1999
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: SAJHD1044XC Date added to File: May, 25 2021
Date Complaint Received: Nov, 13 2004 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Nov, 16 2003
Was Original Owner: No Anti-lock Brakes: No
Number of Cylinders: 8 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: 1999 xj-8 secondary timing chain tensioner catastrophic failure. plastic secondary timing chain tensioner broke into pieces, disabling engine and causing significant damage. damage included 3 valves, one constantly variable valve timing unit (cvvt), timing chains and sprockets. required removal of b bank head for machining necessary to replace valves and repair valve seats. no tsb or recall has been issued by jaguar with regard to this design deficiency. contact with other jaguar owners has identified that this problem affects many owners. jaguar repair is to replace entire engine ($7,000-10,000). i rebuilt engine myself, and contacted jaguar to question why replacement of the tensioners is not specified at some reasonable interval to prevent tensioner failure. jaguar response to date has been to deny that any design deficiency exists. failure of this component will disable the engine, and in certain conditions could cause accident leading to loss of property or life. cost to repair by owner was over $3,000 (parts and head machining); dealer replaces entire engine vice rebuild/replace damaged. components. *jb