JAGUAR S-TYPE · model year

2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE

151 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003JAGUARS-TYPE carries 151 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 19 crashes, 1 fire, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 S-TYPE is vehicle speed control with 17 filings, followed by parking brake (13) and electrical system (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2003 S-TYPE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

151
Complaints
19
Crashes
1
Fires
11
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

151 filings

Crashes Reported

19 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL17
PARKING BRAKE13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
SERVICE BRAKES9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6
POWER TRAIN5
AIR BAGS5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
STEERING3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3

Recalls (4)

04V48400014/10/2004

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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 STATEM

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

04V02400008/01/2004

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

04V48800007/10/2004

PARKING BRAKE

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.

Recent Complaints

20220422POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2003 Jaguar S-Type. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle would shift into reverse independently and would lock up while the gear shifter was in a drive(D). The gear box fault warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal in order to continue to drive. Additionally, the contact stated that while at a complete stop with the vehicle in drive(D), the vehicle would reverse independently. The contact would immediately depress the brake pedal. The warning message "Gear Box Fault" was illuminated. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V024000 (Power Train). The independent mechanic then contacted the local dealer who advised that the transmission control module (TCM) was previously reprogrammed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V024000 (Power Train) in 2004. The deal

Mileage: 120,000

20210624POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 105,000

20190513FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 108,000

20190122PARKING BRAKE

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

Mileage: 198,000

20190122SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 198,000

20190122ENGINE

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

Mileage: 198,000

20180702FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

Mileage: 160,000

20180628SERVICE BRAKES

ODI#11101609 - UPDATE INFORMATION. UPDATE, MY CAR RECALL PART WAS REPLACED FOR $574.04 AND I PICKED IT UP YESTERDAY 6-27-18, BY A LOCAL AUTO PARTS REPAIR SHOP, I HAVE THE BILL TO SHOW PROOF. JAGUAR LAND ROVER GWINNETT SALESMAN FRISCO DOLLARD 770-680-5000 OFC EMAILED ME ON 6-16-18 TO SALE ME ANOTHER CAR, I TOLD HIM I WANT MY CAR FIXED NOT A SALE. HE TOLD ME TO CALL MIKE WHITE SERVICE MGR. AFTER LEAVING SEVERAL MESSAGES, MR WHITE CALLED ME BACK VERY RUDE AND STATED, THEY WOULD NOT COMPENSATE ME FOR THE RECALL DEFECT PART. AFTER I ASKED HIM TO RUN MY VIN# HE STATED THE RECALL PART WAS REPLACED 6-29-2007 UNDER MY NAME. I TOLD HIM THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THIS CAR UNTIL 7-9-2007. HE BECAME MORE UPSET AND SHORT WITH ME AND SAID IT WOULD BE AFTER 7-4-18 BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN LOOK AT MY CAR $150.00 JUST TO DIAGNOSTICS PLUS ANY PART OR LABOR JUST BRING IT IN, I TOLD HIM IT WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE, HE SAID THAT WAS MY PROBLEM. NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD OR WOULD DO. I FEEL THIS WAS A T

Mileage: 100,350

20180613SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 100,340

20180219UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 76,000

20171025SERVICE BRAKES

MY 2003 JAGUAR S TYPE IS GETTING A PARKING BRAKE FAULT/ENGINE SYSTEM FAULT AND DSC NOT AVAILABLE AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYMBOL. I HAVE NEW BRAKES ON MY CAR AND THE ROTORS ARE GOOD AS WELL. I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR LIGHTING SYSTEM CAME UP WITH THAT ABOVE AND STARTED TO MOVE SLOWLY ON A CITY STREET. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PARKING BRAKE MODULE BACK IN 2005 BUT I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS WAS TAKEN CARE OF BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL JAGUAR PLACES ABOUT RECORDS ON THIS CAR ABOUT THESE RECALL/S BUT I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND. LUCKILY I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP...

20160706VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

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.

Mileage: 113,714

20160127SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 23,000

20160113FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 69,000

20150319POWER TRAIN

MY 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE WAS RECALLED IN 2004, RECALL #42036 (R513) POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED MY JAGUAR AS THE SECOND OWNER 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR. FOR INSTANCE WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRY TO SPEED UP THE TRANSMISSION SLOWS THE CAR DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY. IF I AM TRAVELING AT 55 M.P.H AND ACCELERATE THE CAR WILL IMMEDIATELY SLOW TO ABOUT 30 M.P.H OR LESS. IT IS VERY SCARY! AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH (AS THE WARNING STATED ON THE RECALL)! THE REPAIR SHOP RAN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR. THE CODE ON THE COMPUTER STATES "THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS RE-PROGRAMMING OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AS THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL UNDER LOAD." THE SHOP SAID THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE CAR AND THE DEALER NEEDS TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO STICKERS SAYING RECALL SERVICE WAS EVER DONE ON IT. THE DEALER SAID THEY CANNOT PERFORM THE SERVICE UNDER THE RECA

Mileage: 71,000

20150319VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE WAS RECALLED IN 2004, RECALL #42036 (R513) POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED MY JAGUAR AS THE SECOND OWNER 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR. FOR INSTANCE WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRY TO SPEED UP THE TRANSMISSION SLOWS THE CAR DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY. IF I AM TRAVELING AT 55 M.P.H AND ACCELERATE THE CAR WILL IMMEDIATELY SLOW TO ABOUT 30 M.P.H OR LESS. IT IS VERY SCARY! AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH (AS THE WARNING STATED ON THE RECALL)! THE REPAIR SHOP RAN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR. THE CODE ON THE COMPUTER STATES "THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS RE-PROGRAMMING OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AS THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL UNDER LOAD." THE SHOP SAID THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE CAR AND THE DEALER NEEDS TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO STICKERS SAYING RECALL SERVICE WAS EVER DONE ON IT. THE DEALER SAID THEY CANNOT PERFORM THE SERVICE UNDER THE RECA

Mileage: 71,000

20150121SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 120,032

20150121VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 120,032

20141212TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO ECSTA LX PLATINUM TIRES, SIZE: 235/50R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS SPREADING AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,761 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 98,761

20141106SERVICE BRAKES

I GOT IN MY CAR TO LEAVE AND THE DASH KEEP SAYING APPLY PARKING BRAKE TRIED TO AND THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. *TR

Mileage: 162,110

Compare 2003JAGUARS-TYPE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE have?
The 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE has 151 NHTSA complaints, 19 crashes, 1 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE?
Yes, the 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE?
The most-complained component for the 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include PARKING BRAKE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.