2003 Jaguar S-TYPE Problems and Recalls (96 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE is Cruise / speed control (18% of 96 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Cruise / speed control — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 96 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE?

17 of 96 filings named Cruise / speed control (18% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Brakes (14 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2002 has 23 reports on file; this year has 96. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  3. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  4. Parking brake. Hold the truck on a slope with the parking brake and see if it creeps.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Cruise / speed control. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Cruise / speed control 17 complaints · 17.7% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 15
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 10
  • Deaths 0
All Jaguar S-TYPE years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) appears in 17 of 96 owner complaints (17.7%) in this vehicle snapshot. Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 17 complaints, 17.7% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 9 crash reports 17 · 17.7% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 14 complaints, 14.6% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 14 · 14.6% Parking brake (PARKING BRAKE): 8 complaints, 8.3% of reports Parking brake (PARKING BRAKE) 8 · 8.3% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 7 complaints, 7.3% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 4 crash reports 7 · 7.3% Engine (ENGINE): 7 complaints, 7.3% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 7 · 7.3% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 7 complaints, 7.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 7 · 7.3% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 6 complaints, 6.3% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 6 · 6.3% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 5 complaints, 5.2% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 5 · 5.2% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 5 complaints, 5.2% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 · 5.2% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 38 complaints, 39.6% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 4 crash reports 38 · 39.6% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 17 17.7% 9 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 14 14.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Parking brake (PARKING BRAKE) 8 8.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 7 7.3% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 7 7.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 7 7.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 6 6.3% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 5 5.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 5.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 38 39.6% 4 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2002; the first recall shown was reported in Jan 2004. 2002-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2003-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2004-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2004-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2004-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2006-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2007-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2007-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2002 Apr 2026 Recall campaign 04V024000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V024000 Recall campaign 04V488000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V488000 Recall campaign 04V484000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V484000 Recall campaign 06E056000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E056000
  • Campaign 04V484000 was reported 562 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2002-Q4 Owner reports 1
2003-Q2 Owner reports 2
2003-Q4 Owner reports 5
2004-Q1 Owner reports 11
2004-Q2 Owner reports 7
2004-Q4 Owner reports 3
2005-Q2 Owner reports 2
2005-Q3 Owner reports 1
2005-Q4 Owner reports 2
2006-Q1 Owner reports 3
2006-Q2 Owner reports 6
2006-Q4 Owner reports 1
2007-Q1 Owner reports 1
2007-Q2 Owner reports 3
2007-Q3 Owner reports 4
2007-Q4 Owner reports 2
2008-Q1 Owner reports 1
2008-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 2
2008-Q4 Owner reports 1
2009-Q1 Owner reports 3
2009-Q3 Owner reports 3
2010-Q2 Owner reports 2
2010-Q4 Owner reports 1
2011-Q2 Owner reports 2
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q4 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 3
2013-Q3 Owner reports 1
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2014-Q3 Owner reports 2
2014-Q4 Owner reports 2
2015-Q1 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 2
2016-Q3 Owner reports 1
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
2018-Q1 Owner reports 1
2018-Q2 Owner reports 2
2018-Q3 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2026-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 04V024000
Recall campaign 1 04V488000
Recall campaign 1 04V484000
Recall campaign 1 06E056000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Transmission / driveline.

  1. Recall campaign 04V024000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 04V484000

    Safety recall 04V484000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 04V488000

    Safety recall 04V488000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 06E056000

    Safety recall 06E056000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 6 of 96 complaints · page 1 of 4
2026-06-12FUEL SYSTEMUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11743689
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2022-04-22Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11461818
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2021-06-24Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11422137
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2019-05-13FUEL SYSTEM
NHTSA ODI 11207219
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2019-01-22Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11171353
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2018-07-02FUEL SYSTEMUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11105174
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE?

Owners named Cruise / speed control most often — 17 of 96 reports (18%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources