RoadVitals

2003 Jaguar Vanden Plas

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.
5
Latest Oct 26, 2024
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.
1
Latest May 19, 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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Jaguar Vanden Plas, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 13 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

  • Engine233.3%
  • Airbags116.7%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2024

I am writing to report a serious incident involving unsafe and negligent repair work performed by Arie Nol Auto Center Inc., an auto repair shop in Kentwood, Michigan. The shop’s conduct has not only caused personal distress but also raised significant public safety concerns. In December 2023, Arie Nol Auto Center diagnosed my 2003 Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas as needing a new water pump and mass airflow sensor. After allegedly making these repairs, the vehicle was parked in my garage. However, in May 2024, when I attempted to drive the vehicle, the engine warning light illuminated, and the oil system displayed dangerously low levels. Upon inspection, a retired mechanic discovered that the car had no oil, and the oil cooler bypass was missing. The vehicle leaked oil profusely, which could have led to a catastrophic engine failure or a road hazard. I believe the shop’s negligence could endanger not only vehicle owners but also other motorists. Given the potential risks associated with this type of negligence, I request that the NHTSA investigate this matter to determine whether broader safety violations are present. Repair shops that disregard safety should not be permitted to operate unchecked. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ID
11622121
Incident
May 12, 2024
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 12, 2016

URGENT....... TRAVELING @ 65 MPH IN THE HOV LANE OF THE 405 FREEWAY THE MIL ( MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ) SHOWED A TRANS FAULT, AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN!!! I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, AND COASTEED TO A STOP. THERE WAS NOT A CHAIN REACTION EVENT. AFTER STOOPING I REMOVED THE KEY, AS A POSSIBLE IGNITION SWITCH OVER HEAT ISSUE , IT WAS NOT HOT. I REPLACED THE KEY AND TURNED THE IGNITION ON , AND THE ENGINE STARTED, I PLACED IT IN GEAR, AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD IN LIMP HOME MODE. I AM FAMILIAR WITH OBD 2, AND KNOW THAT NO SYSTEM SHOULD EVER SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. A SUBSEQUENT REVIEW ON GOOGLE SHOWED NUMERIOUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEM, VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ! WHAT DO I WANT. I WANT THE NHTSA TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION AS TO WHAT IS THE FIX FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A PROGRAMMING DESIGN FLAW OF THE ECM OR TCM. I KNOW THE FIX FOR THE TRANS FAULT MIL LIGHT, A LOOSE SNAP RING ON THE FRONT CLUTCH DRUM OF THE ZF-24 5 SPEED TRANS. THAT PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED, HOWEVER, NO DRIVER SHOULD EVER EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE SHUT DOWN, WHEN A FAULT CODE IS DISPLAYED. IF A FIX IS NOT PUBLISHED, PEOPLE WILL DIE, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY!!!

NHTSA ID
10873752
Incident
Jun 3, 2016
Mileage
104,586 mi
Filed Jul 22, 2011

THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR. MY 2003 JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND THE CAR WILL BARELY MOVE. IT IS A HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER. DIAGNOSED AS A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WHICH IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE THAT JAGUAR REFUSES TO ADDRESS. USUALLY A RESTART WILL CORRECT IT. THIS TIME IT DOES NOT CORRECT AND WILL COST $3,000 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ID
10414760
Incident
Jul 21, 2011
Mileage
75,177 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 29, 2008
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 (NA) JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS. ON APRIL 10, 2004, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED AND DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER RIBS AND HEAD. THE OTHER DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE FOREHEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ID
10226069
Incident
Apr 10, 2007
Mileage
24,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 10, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL A SCREECHING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED ROTORS AND BRAKES. UPDATED 10/30/06.*JB

NHTSA ID
10170338
Incident
Oct 9, 2006
Mileage
13,537 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

EQUIPMENT

SIM card activation issues

SFCC_09AUG18_REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

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 Vanden Plas by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004300
2003Viewing510
2002210
2001110
2000410
1999610
1998121043.6
1997110
1996610
1995410
1994110
1993010
1992020
1991220
1990330
1989130
1988140
1985100
1984100

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.