RoadVitals

2003 Jaguar S-Type

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
100
Latest Jun 12, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jun 13, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
10 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 100 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Jaguar S-Type, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 95 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E056000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Jun 13, 2006
58,640 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: 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.
UFI FILTERS USAView on NHTSA.gov
04V484000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 14, 2004
50,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.
The 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.
JAGUAR CARS LTDManufacturer number R171View on NHTSA.gov
04V488000

PARKING BRAKE

Oct 7, 2004
30,181 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND MAY CAUSE REAR WHEEL "LOCKUP" AT ANY ROAD SPEED. A CRASH MAY OCCUR.
The 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.
JAGUAR CARS LTDManufacturer number R166/R167View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 100
Fuel system
Filed Jun 12, 2026

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 active safety hazard, the vehicle remained operational, though it emitted a strong fuel odor and left a continuous trail of leaking fuel. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 06E056000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer had not yet been notified of the component failure. The vehicle remained unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11743689
Incident
Jun 1, 2025
Mileage
75,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 22, 2022

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 dealer advised that they could not assist as the software was no longer available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11461818
Incident
Apr 22, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11422137
Incident
Jun 16, 2021
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 13, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11207219
Incident
May 5, 2019
Mileage
108,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 22, 2019

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 ID
11171353
Incident
Dec 13, 2018
Mileage
198,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 2, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11105174
Incident
Feb 12, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 2018

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 TOTAL LET DOWN AND NEGLECT ON MY VEHICLE BY JAGUAR LAND ROVER I COULD HAD BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUS HURT BECAUSE OF A FAULTY BRAKE RECALL/DEFECT PART ON MY CAR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED YEARS AGO AT ANY SERVICE VISIT THAT I HAD AT THEIR PLACE OF BUSINESS. NOW THAT I HAVE PAID THE ADDED EXPENSE FOR THIS REPAIR AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. UN-JUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE TO ME. *JS

NHTSA ID
11104466
Incident
Jun 11, 2018
Mileage
100,350 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 13, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11101609
Incident
Jun 11, 2018
Mileage
100,340 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SSM59597Attachme

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Attachment.

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

18C - New face of InControl Touch Pro and 18C software improvements

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

EQUIPMENT

SIM card activation issues

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

EQUIPMENT

InControl Touch Pro phase 4 customer letter

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Jaguar S-Type by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008130037.6
2007610—
2006222052.7
2005903051.6
2004254054.3
2003Viewing1004055.3
2002242049.9
2001794051.3
20001414050.5
1999210—
1997000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.