2003 Jaguar S-Type: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 100 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (14% of complaints); the 2002 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2003 Jaguar S. The contact stated that his wife was reversing with the brake pedal being depressed when she lost control of the vehicle and it accelerated on its own almost crashing into pedestrians. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they only repair vehicles made in 2005 and newer and the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000. VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2021
“Seems that gas is leaking or something, the cabin of the car begins to smell of fuel at random times and the car also randomly decelerates.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2019
“Vehicle parking brake randomly comes on without warning and causes car to try lock wheels even when driving. Sometimes when first start the parking brake is locked even if I don't use it and will unlock when start rolling. Vehicle has multiple misfire coeds and restricted performance and loses power for no reason. Also dangerous when driving in traffic. Not sure what issues is but has new plugs and coils and everything so believe electrical issue”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“I found a recall on the electronic park brake module for a defect to be replaced since 2005, but I was never notified. I have had this vehicle since 2007 with many services at the dealership since purchased. Monday june 11, 2018 my parking brake engaged and would not release. This is s serious safety concern. I was parked away from home paying a bill in the poring rain and had to have my car towed to the nearer dealership.it has been 3 days now without transportation and I still don't know if they can fix it. All this could have been avoided with proper service and notification from the authorized dealership years ago at the time of service.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jaguar s-type. When the vehicle was started, the contact smelled fuel and noticed fuel on the ground under the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to jaguar nashville (3 cadillac drive, brentwood, tn 37027) where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank and fuel tank filler neck hose had deteriorated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2018
“While driving and making a left hand turn at slow speed ,I tried to use my brakes but my car accelerated. There were 2 pedestrians on the opposite side of the street. To avoid hitting them, I swerved to the curb and immediately turned off my ignition. One of the pedestrians said my front tires locked and my rear tires were spinning. Fortunately, I was driving in my private street located in a townhouse community. I could have easily killed someone. Very scary! The car is now at my mechanics. I am afraid to drive this vehicle.02”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jaguar s-type. While driving 55 mph, the sun roof exploded without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,714.”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jaguar s-type. The contact stated the emergency brake independently engaged. The brake and the ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v488000 (parking brake). The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jaguar s-type. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel tank was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06v418000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2015
“My vehicle accelerate when applying brakes. Took it to a shop and was took something was defaulting with my master brake cylinder and the brake booster. Cost nearly 1600 to fix. Cal the manufacturer about a recall related to this but was told my car wasn't related to the recall. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEM." THE BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR IS RECESSED AND ORIENTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BENEATH A LEAF SCREEN, SUCH THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING STATEMENT EMBOSSED ON THE TOP OF THE RESERVOIR BODY IS NOT VISIBLE BY DIRECT VIEW.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT LETTERS WHICH WILL INCLUDE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LABELS CONTAINING THE REQUIRED WARNING STATEMENT. IF THEY PREFER, OWNERS MAY CONTACT DEALERS TO HAVE THEM INSTALL THE LABELS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-800-452-4827.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRONIC PARK BRAKE MODULE, WHICH CONTROLS THE APPLICATION OF THE PARKING BRAKE, MAY UNINTENTIONALLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OR WARNING TO THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC PARK BRAKE MODULE WITH THE LATEST PRODUCTION LEVER PARTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-800-452-4827.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, WITH THE FORWARD DRIVE GEAR SELECTED AND THE VEHICLE STATIONARY OR IN A FORWARD MOTION, THE GEARBOX COULD POTENTIALLY SELECT REVERSE GEAR, WITHOUT INDICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-201-818-8500.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S-Type by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Jaguar S-Type reliable?
NHTSA has 100 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Jaguar S-Type. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Jaguar S-Type problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Jaguar S-Type have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.