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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
2,400 miles · Mar 27, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

I PURCHASED A S-TYPE JAGUAR 2003 JUNE 11, 2002 FROM PARK PLACE JAGUAR HOUSTON, TEXAS, I TOOK THE CAR IN BEFORE 5,000 MILE CHECK UP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES, A FEW MONTHS LATER TOOK THE CAR IN FOR 5,000 MILE CHECK UP COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A MASTER CYLINDER, CAR WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR A …

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I PURCHASED A S-TYPE JAGUAR 2003 JUNE 11, 2002 FROM PARK PLACE JAGUAR HOUSTON, TEXAS, I TOOK THE CAR IN BEFORE 5,000 MILE CHECK UP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES, A FEW MONTHS LATER TOOK THE CAR IN FOR 5,000 MILE CHECK UP COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A MASTER CYLINDER, CAR WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR A WEEK. MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. JAGUAR FROM NATIONAL SENT A WRECKER TO PICK UP THE CAR AND DELIVERED IT TO PARK PLACE JAGUAR FOR REPAIR. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK AGAIN. HAD A TIRE TO WEAR OUT DUE TO FAULTY BRAKES, STILL NOTHING WAS DONE REGARDING THE BREAKS, I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE BRAKES HAD BEEN FIXED UNTIL JANUARY 11,2006 WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR IT'S 30,000 MILES CHECK UP AT 29,415 AND WAS INFORMED BY ZACK ADAMS THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND IT WOULD BE $585.36 I THANK GOD THAT ZAG FINALLY SAW THE PROBLEM NEEDED FIXING. FOR THE REPAIR, I HAVE RECEIPTS UPON YOUR REQUEST FOR THE MANY OF TIMES THE BRAKES WERE ADDRESSED FOR THE WARRANTY WAS OVER, IT IS EVIDENCED THAT I WAS SOLD A CAR WITH FAULTY BRAKES. AND JAGUAR FAILED TO PROVIDED ME WITH THE SAFETY OF MY CAR FOR 2 1/2 YEARS. IF I HAD BEEN A DRIVER THAT RODE THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD BE A FATALITY PERSON. JAGUAR WAS NEGLIGENT IN REPAIRING MY CAR SAFELY AND REFUSES TO OWN UP TO THEIR FAILURE. ALSO THE POORLY QUALITY OF TIRES THAT I ALSO REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS NOT HELPED. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES FROM DISCOUNT SERVICES FOR $539.09. THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE AND A TRAFFIC HAZARD, I CONTACTED THEM SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING ISSUE WITH CAR. IT SHOULD NOT BEEN 2 1/2 YEARS TO GE BREAKS REPAIR WHEN I STARTED COMPLAINING 2 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASED OF THE CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153841

36,890 miles · Mar 24, 2006
Electrical System

SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN TOWED 2 TIMES, SERVICED EIGHT TIMES IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD. I FOUND IN THE GLOVE DEPT AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR A MANUFACTURE DEFECT SIGN .THE CAR KEPT REGISTERING "RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE 3 VISITS. BRAKE PROBLEM,STEERING WHEEL,ABS FAULT. PRESENT PROBLEM:THEY KEPT MY CAR 2 AND HALF MONTHS TO F…

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SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN TOWED 2 TIMES, SERVICED EIGHT TIMES IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD. I FOUND IN THE GLOVE DEPT AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR A MANUFACTURE DEFECT SIGN .THE CAR KEPT REGISTERING "RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE 3 VISITS. BRAKE PROBLEM,STEERING WHEEL,ABS FAULT. PRESENT PROBLEM:THEY KEPT MY CAR 2 AND HALF MONTHS TO FIX A WHEEL GUARD AND BUMPER RAIL TOLD ME THE COMPRESSOR AND OTHER PROBLEMS EXIST/WOULD COST $2300 TO FIX .MY INSURANCE COMPANY. PAID THEM AND THEN THEY CHARGED MY INS. CO ANOTHER $1300 MORE. I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY $1600 BECAUSE MY INS URANCE REFUSED TO PAY. WHEN I GOT HOME CAR WOULDN'T START RIGHT /THEN REGISTERED NO ENGINE FLUIDS /CONTACTED THEM ASK IF ISHOULD TRY TO RETURN WITH IT/THEY SPENT 20 MINUTES TOLD ME THE CAR WAS OK /I ASK IF THEY PUT FLUIDS IN THEY SAID,'YES".DROVE THE CAR HOME IN LESS THAN 2 DAYS CAR MONITOR REGISTERED "TRANSMISSION FAULT". I HAVE HAD A LOANER CAR AT LEAST HALF OF THE OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. THIS CAR HAS LEFT ME STRAND IN SOME UNSAFE AREAS BECAUSE I HAVE TO TRAVEL TO D.C.. FOR CLASS WORK. NOW ,THEY TOLD ME THAT MY WARRANTY WILL COVER THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.I FEEL IF THE MAJOR PART OF THE CAR IS BEING REPLACE/THEY NEED TO GIVE ME A ANOTHER CAR TO REPLACE A TOTAL MANUFACTURE DEFECTED CAR.DATES OF SOME OF THE SERVICES PERFORMED ON THIS CAR 01/05, TWICE EACH TIME01/05 ,02/05 ,02/05,08/05,08/18/05 08/26/05,09/07/05,09/10/05,10/04/05,12/05/05 THRU 0303/06 KEPT FOR 2 AND HALF MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153595

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingParking Brake

2003 S TYPE WOULD NOT START, TURN SIGNAL STUCK, TRUNK LIGHT INOPERABLE. RAIN SENSORS ARE INOPERABLE. *TS ***NAR*** THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, TURN SIGNAL AND TRUNK SWITCH. THE RAIN SENSOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DURING DIAGNOSTIC THE TECHNICIAN FOUND ENGINE MISFIRE CODES. THE …

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2003 S TYPE WOULD NOT START, TURN SIGNAL STUCK, TRUNK LIGHT INOPERABLE. RAIN SENSORS ARE INOPERABLE. *TS ***NAR*** THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, TURN SIGNAL AND TRUNK SWITCH. THE RAIN SENSOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DURING DIAGNOSTIC THE TECHNICIAN FOUND ENGINE MISFIRE CODES. THE ENGINE WAS REPAIRED PER BULLETIN S303-21. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CONTROL MODULE WAS REROUTED PER THE RECALL. RIGHT HAND INDICATOR FAILED. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10151958

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicTiresVisibility

2004 JAGUAR S-TYPE NEEDED NEW BRAKES WITH 30,000 MILES ON THEM AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE ABS LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, A WIPER MOTOR WAS INSTALLED AND THE REAR BRAKE LINE AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151895

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2005
Parking Brake

DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR CAUSING REAR BRAKE PADS TO WEAROUT PREMATURELY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143875

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2005
Electrical SystemPower Train

2003 JAGUAR S TYPE IS NOW ON ITS FIFTH REPLACED CLUTCH AND SECOND STARTER. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE ABSOLVED OF THE LEASE AND REFUNDED OF ALL MONIES INVESTED IN THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142125

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2005
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS TRAVELING IN MY CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. I SLOWED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP (RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE), THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, THE REAR WHEELS STARTED TO TURN PROPELLING ME FORWARD. I PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, HOWEVER THE RPM GAUGE WAS MOVING TO MAXIMUM AND T…

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I WAS TRAVELING IN MY CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. I SLOWED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP (RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE), THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, THE REAR WHEELS STARTED TO TURN PROPELLING ME FORWARD. I PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, HOWEVER THE RPM GAUGE WAS MOVING TO MAXIMUM AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO PROPEL ME FORWARD. THE REAR END STARTED SLIDING TO THE LEFT. I SLAMMED THE CAR INTO PARK AND THE TIRES STOPPED MOVING, THE RPMS DROPPED, AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED RESULTING IN TAKING THE RADIO OFFLINE AND TO STATION 600 AM. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BY 2 INCHES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED APPROX 1 MONTH AGO FOR THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE EVENT. OF NOTE, ON DECEMBER 13, 2004, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE AND WOULD NOT COME OUT OF REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED BY THE DEALERSHIP, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS REPLACED, THE TRANS CABLE BOLT HAD FALLEN OUT, IT WAS REPLACED, AND THE CABLE WAS ADJUSTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10136190

17,633 miles · Jul 15, 2005
EquipmentFuel System, GasolinePower Train

VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ON (THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS) TO DEALER IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES TO CORRECT GRINDING SOUND NEAR FRONT WHEELS BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2003 AND JUNE 2005. VEHICLE SPRUNG A BROKEN FUEL LINE SOME TIME IN LATE 2004. VEHICLE REAR BRAKES LOCKED ON FREEWAY RAMP JULY, 2005 TWO WEEKS AFTER DEALER HAD INSTALLED NEW REAR BRA…

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VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ON (THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS) TO DEALER IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES TO CORRECT GRINDING SOUND NEAR FRONT WHEELS BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2003 AND JUNE 2005. VEHICLE SPRUNG A BROKEN FUEL LINE SOME TIME IN LATE 2004. VEHICLE REAR BRAKES LOCKED ON FREEWAY RAMP JULY, 2005 TWO WEEKS AFTER DEALER HAD INSTALLED NEW REAR BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY DEFECTS IN VARIOUS AREAS FOR A THREE YEAR OLD. MY FEAR IS THAT THERE IS MORE TO SURFACE AND I WILL BE HOLDING A LEMON IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #10128900

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2005
Parking BrakePower Train

2003 JAGUAR S TYPE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGING WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED, IT CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKES AND TIRES. ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TIRES WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, B…

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2003 JAGUAR S TYPE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGING WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED, IT CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKES AND TIRES. ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TIRES WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES AND TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP ON 3 OCCASIONS FOR A JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE THE INFORMATION TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER STATED ONE TIME SHE PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE, THINKING SHE HAD PLACED IT INTO THE WRONG GEAR, SHE LOOKED DOWN AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10122672

25,000 miles · Apr 5, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH REAR BRAKES LOCKED, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND BEGAN FLASHING. THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. IT WENT INTO A SPIN ,CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE CONCRETE DIVIDER. ALSO, THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE WHEN THE BRAKE MODULE BROKE. THE VEHIC…

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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH REAR BRAKES LOCKED, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND BEGAN FLASHING. THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. IT WENT INTO A SPIN ,CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE CONCRETE DIVIDER. ALSO, THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE WHEN THE BRAKE MODULE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE ENGINEERS COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10114895

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.