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2003 Jaguar S-TYPEProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 100 owner complaints about the 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2003 Jaguar S-TYPE
43
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the S-TYPE median · #2 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10022 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage27kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 12, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE has problems

100 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control1810
Power train161
Parking brake140
Service brakes, hydraulic122
Electrical system111
Service brakes91
Air bags74
Engine and engine cooling70
Equipment70
15 other systems432

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2003 Jaguar S-TYPE recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Parking brake

Recall 04V-488 · Oct 7, 2004 · 30,181 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND MAY CAUSE REAR WHEEL "LOCKUP" AT ANY ROAD SPEED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jaguar.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other S-TYPE year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S-TYPE median. How we score

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Jaguar S-TYPE safety ratings

2003 Jaguar S-Type 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What S-TYPE owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY 2003 JAGUAR S-TYPE WAS RECALLED IN 2004, RECALL #42036 (R513) POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED MY JAGUAR AS THE SECOND OWNER 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR. FOR INSTANCE WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRY TO SPEED UP THE TRANSMISSION…
Complaint 10695318 · Mar 19, 2015 · 71,000 miles
MY VEHICLE ACCELERATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS TOOK SOMETHING WAS DEFAULTING WITH MY MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER. COST NEARLY 1600 TO FIX. CAL THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A RECALL RELATED TO THIS BUT WAS TOLD MY CAR WASN'T RELATED TO THE RECALL. *TR
Complaint 10676965 · Jan 21, 2015 · 120,032 miles
WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND APPLYING MY BRAKES THE CAR INVOLUNTARILY ACCELERATED ON TO INCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS REVVING AT HIGH SPEED AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED. I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES BUT CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING. I HEADED TOWARD HIGH CURB AVOIDING CARS AND PEDESTRIANS IN HOPES OF…
Complaint 10519520 · Jun 12, 2013 · 80,000 miles

Own a 2003 S-TYPE?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.