The 2003 Jaguar S-Type has 4 safety recalls and 100 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (18 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints100filed by owners
Crashes · fires15 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths10 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 06E056000 · Jun 13, 2006 · 58,640 vehicles
Problem: 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 CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Equipment › Other › Labels
NHTSA recall 04V484000 · Oct 14, 2004 · 50,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.
Fix: 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.
Parking brake
NHTSA recall 04V488000 · Oct 7, 2004 · 30,181 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND MAY CAUSE REAR WHEEL "LOCKUP" AT ANY ROAD SPEED. A CRASH MAY OCCUR.
Fix: 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 04V024000 · Jan 8, 2004 · 31,731 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-201-818-8500.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2003 Jaguar S-Type 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
S-Type 3.0 Litre
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
S-Type 3.0 Litre
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
S-Type 4.2 Litre
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
S-Type R
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
13
2
0
1
42,671 mi
Electrical system Starter assembly
11
0
1
0
7,545 mi
Visibility Windshield; Glass, side/rear
9
0
0
0
53,835 mi
Service brakes
9
1
0
0
100,345 mi
Equipment Electrical; Appliance › Air conditioner
8
0
0
0
3,577 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights; Brake lights
7
0
0
0
39,438 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
7
0
0
0
425 mi
Air bags Frontal
7
4
0
5
38,500 mi
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
6
1
0
1
13,350 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 1, 2025 · 75,000 milesFuel system, gasoline The contact owns a 2003 Jaguar S-Type. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle at a gas station, fuel suddenly sprayed out from underneath the vehicle without warning. The contact contacted an authorized dealer and was informed that the dealer lacked the equipment and parts required to service vehicles over 15 years old. The contact was then referred to an independent mechanic specialized in foreign vehicles, to whom the dealer transmitted the vehicle information and failure details. However, the contact later received a follow-up call from the dealer, confirming the independent mechanic could not provide the necessary equipment or parts to service the vehicle. Despite the…
Apr 22, 2014 · 120,000 milesPower 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…
Jun 16, 2021 · 105,000 milesPower 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.
May 5, 2019 · 108,000 milesFuel/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.
Dec 13, 2018 · 198,000 milesParking 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
Feb 12, 2018 · 160,000 milesFuel 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.
Jun 11, 2018 · 100,350 milesService 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…
Jun 11, 2018 · 100,340 milesService 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.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.