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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

100 reports
93,000 miles · Sep 1, 2013
Exterior Lighting

RIGHT BRAKE TAIL LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, REPLACED ALL BULBS *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538263

11,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS PARKED AT A RED LIGHT AND HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD TO BE AT LEAST TRAVELING MORE 50 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY ON EITHER THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522183

80,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND APPLYING MY BRAKES THE CAR INVOLUNTARILY ACCELERATED ON TO INCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS REVVING AT HIGH SPEED AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED. I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES BUT CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING . I HEADED TOWARD HIGH CURB AVOIDING CARS AND PEDESTRIANS IN HOPES OF SLOWING CAR BEFORE I WAS TO HI…

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WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND APPLYING MY BRAKES THE CAR INVOLUNTARILY ACCELERATED ON TO INCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS REVVING AT HIGH SPEED AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED. I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES BUT CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING . I HEADED TOWARD HIGH CURB AVOIDING CARS AND PEDESTRIANS IN HOPES OF SLOWING CAR BEFORE I WAS TO HIT DIPSEY DUMPSTER ,ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (I HAD CHOSEN TO HIT THEM IN ORDER TO AVOID INVOLVING OTHER CARS AND PEDESTRIANS) WHEN I HIT THE CURB AT HIGH RPMS , THE IMPACT DAMAGED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND UNDER CARRIAGE OF AUTOMOBILE. THE ACCELERATION STOPPED . IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN REGISTERED BY OTHER DRIVERS. OF JAGUARS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT JAGUAR NEEDS TO ADDRESS. I AM LUCKY THAT I DID NOT KILL ANYONE OR HAD SERIOUS INJURIES TO MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519520

80,000 miles · May 31, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING FOR A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE CONTACT WAS STILL APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DUMPSTER IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING FOR A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE CONTACT WAS STILL APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DUMPSTER IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING ANY FURTHER. THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE BLACK BOX WAS REVIEWED BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE ANY INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10514515

80,000 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

THE DISTANCE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE ALMOST THE SAME DISTANCE FROM THE CAR FLOOR AND THE PEDALS ARE CLOSE ENOUGH THAT A FOOT CAN CONTACT BOTH. AFTER STARTING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND PUTTING IN DRIVE I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE HARDER I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE FASTER THE CAR …

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THE DISTANCE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE ALMOST THE SAME DISTANCE FROM THE CAR FLOOR AND THE PEDALS ARE CLOSE ENOUGH THAT A FOOT CAN CONTACT BOTH. AFTER STARTING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND PUTTING IN DRIVE I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE HARDER I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE FASTER THE CAR WENT OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CAUSE WAS, OF COURSE, THAT I WAS STEPPING ON BOTH PEDALS. A YEAR LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I RAMMED AND BROKE A GARAGE DOOR. THE HEIGHT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE RAISED ABOUT AN INCH SO THAT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT ALLOW SIMULTANEOUS STEPPING THE ACCELERATOR. I HAVE CONTACTED JAGUAR, NORTH AMERICA REF# [XXX]. ON MY CAR I HAVE PUT A 7/8 INCH BLOCK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RAISE THE HEIGHT. IF IT HAD BEEN A PERSON AHEAD OF ME INSTEAD OF A GARAGE DOOR I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE KILLED HIM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484985

21,707 miles · Jul 20, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER BUT THE DEALER DID NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME WHEN THE CONTACT WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER BUT THE DEALER DID NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF THREE ADDITIONAL LEAKS ON THE ENGINE'S FIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RELATED TO THE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NEVER DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,707.

NHTSA ODI #10466749

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

2003 S TYPE JAGUAR. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, DRIVE SHAFT, AND REAR-END DIFFERENTIAL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 12 MORE TIMES AFTER HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE PROBLEMS WERE NEVER CORRECTED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT…

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2003 S TYPE JAGUAR. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, DRIVE SHAFT, AND REAR-END DIFFERENTIAL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 12 MORE TIMES AFTER HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE PROBLEMS WERE NEVER CORRECTED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER BLADES. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED TWICE, THE RADIATOR AND HEATER VALVE HOSES WERE LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HEAD LIGHTS FOGGED UP AND THE BULB HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKED BACK AND FORTH, THE EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WAS NOT WORKING DUE TO A STICKING SWITCH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10408052

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

65,000 miles · Nov 23, 2010
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. IN MARCH OF 2010 THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WERE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW REGULATOR AND A MOTOR FOR TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE. IN MARCH OF 2010 THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WERE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW REGULATOR AND A MOTOR FOR THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,480.

NHTSA ODI #10367327

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.