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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (3)
Equipment: other, labels
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 and remedy
Risk: 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.
Parking brake
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 and remedy
Risk: 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.
Power train: automatic transmission
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 and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (3)
Show 3 Canadian recalls
Label
2004-11-15 · campaign 2004-398
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 135. 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. Correction: Jaguar will mail letters to all registered owners which will include labels containing the required warning statement and installation instructions.
Brakes
2004-09-24 · campaign 2004-352
On certain vehicles, the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) may unintentionally apply the handbrake causing the vehicle to decelerate and in extreme cases, to lock-up the rear wheels. This condition can arise at any speed with or without illumination of the warning indicator lamps on the instrument cluster or the stop lamps. Correction: Dealers will replace the EPB module.
Powertrain
2004-01-30 · campaign 2004-040
On certain 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 to the driver. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the transmission control module.
Owner complaints (100)
Owners filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Jaguar S-Type (15 crashes, 1 fires, 10 injuries reported). Among 9 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 25).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 18 | |
| Power train | 16 | |
| Parking brake | 14 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 12 | |
| Electrical system | 11 | |
| Service brakes | 9 | |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | |
| Equipment | 7 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Jaguar S-Type.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Jaguar S-Type 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Jaguar S-Type version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| S-Type 3.0 Litre 3.0 L Automatic 6-spd | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| S-Type 3.0 Litre 3.0 L Manual 5-spd | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| S-Type 4.2 Litre 4.2 L Automatic 6-spd | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,550 |
| S-Type R 4.2 L Automatic 6-spd | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.