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2003 Jaguar S-TYPE

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S-TYPE years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE are substantially higher than the model-year median of 25.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

79 reports with mileage · 21 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Parking Brake. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

Parking Brake complaints

14 reports
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198,000 miles · Jan 22, 2019
EngineParking BrakeService 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 D…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11171353

163,000 miles · Apr 7, 2011
Parking Brake

PARK BRAKE FAULT CAME ON AND PARKING BRAKE IS NO LONGER WORKING. CONTACTED JAGUAR RECALL CENTER AND PROVIDED VIN. JAGUAR INDICATED THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. SEEMS UNUSUAL BECAUSE THEIR IS ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE 2003 JAGUAR S TYPE THAT JAGUAR INDICATES THAT IT ISN'T UNDER RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395129

33,948 miles · Jan 9, 2011
Electrical SystemParking BrakePower Train

JAGUAR S-TYPE SEDAN 2003 WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL R-513 BUT NOT LIMITED TO THIS. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS IN PERFORMANCE WITH GEAR BOX AND BRAKING SYSTEMS IN WHICH IT COULD NOT BE PROPERLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, LOST RPM, PARKING BRAKE FAILURE, ABS WARNING LIGHTS AND MAJOR ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR WARNINGS. THE CAR …

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JAGUAR S-TYPE SEDAN 2003 WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL R-513 BUT NOT LIMITED TO THIS. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS IN PERFORMANCE WITH GEAR BOX AND BRAKING SYSTEMS IN WHICH IT COULD NOT BE PROPERLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, LOST RPM, PARKING BRAKE FAILURE, ABS WARNING LIGHTS AND MAJOR ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR WARNINGS. THE CAR COULD NOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN AND SUFFERED A MAJOR BREAKDOWN WITH LESS THAN 9500 MILES, FLATBEDDED TO SPORTIQUE MOTORS IN HUNTINGTON, NY ON 12/10/2004, RETURNED ON 12/15/2004 ONLY TO BE FLATBEDDED AGAIN ON 12/17/2004. A NEW COMPUTER WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE AS PROMISED AT THAT TIME, AND THE COMPUTER WAS SIMPLY REFLASHED. AT 33,948 MILES OUT OF WARRENTY ON MAY 26, 2010 THIS VEHICLE SUFFERED THE SAME MAJOR BREAKDOWN AS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND WAS AGAIN FLATBEDDED TO HUNTINGTON LAND ROVER JAGUAR, FORMERLY SPORTIQUE JAGUAR, HUNTINGTON, NY. THE CAR COULD NOT PROPERLY BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, LOST RPM AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY.THE DEALERSHIP WORKED ON THE CAR FOUR (4) TIMES DECLARING THE PROBLEM SOLVED ON THREE OCCASIONS FROM MAY 26, 2010 UNTIL IT WAS FLAT BEDDED BACK A FORTH TIME ON 07/22/10 ONLY TO BE TOLD THE CAR NEEDED A NEW "PARK SENSOR MODULE" AND NEW "TRANSMISSION SENSOR" AT A COST OF OVER $4000 DOLLARS WITH LABOR. MY ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE FROM JAGUAR CENTRAL AND HUNTINGTON JAGUAR BASED ON MY CONTENTION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER PROPERLY FIXED WHEN UNDER WARRANTY RESULTED IN CONTINUAL REFUSALS BY THESE PARTIES WITH CLAIMS BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT A FAULTY TRUCK SEAL AND WATER LEAK THAT CERTAINLY DID NOT EXIST AT 9500MILES NECESSITATED THE COSTLY REPAIRS (THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR IS INSIDE THE SEALED TRANSMISSION). MY COMPLAINTS TO THE DMV ( WITH LOOKBACK OF 90 DAYS) HAS RESULTED IN THEIR FINDINGS OF A DEALERSHIP MIS-DIAGNOSIS . THE CAR REMAINS INCAPACITATED AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION INTO ALL REPAIRS AND HISTORIES OF SIMILAR MODELS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALLS BUT NOT LIMITED TO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375318

100,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Parking Brake

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PARKING BRAKES LOCKED. THE PARKING BRAKE FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V488000 (PARKING BRAKE). THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PARKING BRAKES LOCKED. THE PARKING BRAKE FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V488000 (PARKING BRAKE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/22/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPLAINT IS ACCURATE. UPDATED 10/26/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10336209

45,000 miles · Jul 28, 2009
Parking Brake

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL SUDDENLY ENGAGE AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE MODULE FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,825 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10278512

75,000 miles · Mar 13, 2009
Parking Brake

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP AT ANY SPEED. SHE TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V488000 (PARKING…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP AT ANY SPEED. SHE TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V488000 (PARKING BRAKE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10261751

40,600 miles · Jan 22, 2009
Parking BrakePower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WOULD SHIFT ROUGHLY FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR UPON DECELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK FORWARD ROUGHLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND DRIVING 15 MPH. HE FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WOULD SHIFT ROUGHLY FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR UPON DECELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK FORWARD ROUGHLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND DRIVING 15 MPH. HE FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V024000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS THE SAME FAILURE THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS DISPLAYING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,923 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,600. UPDATED 5/18/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARKING BRAKE WAS INOPERATIVE. A FAILURE MESSAGE OF THE PARKING BRAKE DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 05/20/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10256005

47,000 miles · May 2, 2008
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND LATER DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10226458

33,000 miles · Jul 18, 2007
Parking Brake

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE FAILED TO RELEASE AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 04V488000 (PARKING BRAKE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE FAILED TO RELEASE AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 04V488000 (PARKING BRAKE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SUPPRESSOR MODULE, HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE MODULE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,098 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10196751

75,400 miles · Feb 27, 2007
Parking Brake

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 JAGUAR S TYPE WITH 75400 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS CLOGGED, THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE. THE CONTACT HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED GOING FORWARD. …

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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 JAGUAR S TYPE WITH 75400 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS CLOGGED, THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE. THE CONTACT HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED GOING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75450.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10183643

Official recalls

3

04V484000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 14, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.

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.

04V488000 · Parking Brake

Oct 7, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND MAY CAUSE REAR WHEEL "LOCKUP" AT ANY ROAD SPEED. A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

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.

04V024000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jan 8, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-201-818-8500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.