2003 Jaguar X-Type: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 72 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (14% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“2003 jaguar x-type. Consumer writes in regards to a headliner collapse. *ld the consumer stated the glue from the headliner created an unsafe and unhealthy environment. The driver's passengers have shown signs and symptoms ranging from persistent coughing, pneumonia, eye tumors and birth defects.*js”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2018
“Rocker panels or sills inner and outer left and right sides rotten rusted possible toa frame. Parking brake does not full engage.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jaguar x-type. On several occasions, the air bag indicator illuminated on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air bag control module sensor needed to be replaced. The contact called santiago auto mall at (718) 992-9316 (350 e 170th st, bronx, ny 10456). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Lt & rt inner and outer rocker panels and hence jacking point are riddled with rust/corrosion, structural integrity is compromised , unsafe in side impact collision or frontal or rear collision , vehicle creeks and groans around dash when driven, from weakened structure especially at lower "a" pillars.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2016
“Driving on highway at 65 mph, engine dies. Steering and brakes are lost. After a few minutes, able to start engine and move off of road.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jaguar x-type. While driving at approximately 70 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle decelerated and the gear box fault cruise unavailable and the check engine warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2015
“Rockers panels are rotted both sides. Rendering the car unsafe. No drain holes ever put in nor was it treated. This is problem on these cars. Known problem at that.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 jaguar x-type. The contact stated that the manual brake failed to engage. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic who replaced the manual brake lever cable several times. However, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v487000 (parking brake). The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Jan 2015
“Tl-the contact owns a 2003 jaguar x-type. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle jerked and decreased in speed. In addition, the temperature gage fluctuated and the radiator emitted steam. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the water pump fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000. The VIN was not available. Djr”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2014
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 jaguar x-type. The contact stated that the hand brake failed to applied sufficient pressure to the brake pads to prevent the vehicle from moving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v48700(parking brake). The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LHD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HAND BRAKE, WHICH APPLIES THE PARKING BRAKE, MAY NOT APPLY SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PADS TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS LEFT IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER WITHIN THE HAND BRAKE MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY CAUSING THE HAND BRAKE LEVER TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE RECOMMENDED RANGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT HAND BRAKE LEVER SYSTEM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL HAND BRAKE LEVER SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-800-452-4827.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, THE POWER CIRCUIT WHICH FEEDS THE DIRECTION INDICATOR SYSTEM COULD FAIL. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER BEING UNAWARE THAT THE EXTERNAL TURNING INDICATORS ARE NOT OPERATING BECAUSE THE INTERNAL "TELL-TAIL" LIGHT ON THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUES TO WORK NORMALLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME 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 X-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 X-Type reliable?
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Jaguar X-Type. The most complained-about area is tires (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Jaguar X-Type problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,070 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Jaguar X-Type have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake. 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.