The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 33 of 100 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 24 in 2002 to 100 in 2003.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 100
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $4,050–$4,550
- Combined MPG
- 17–19
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300 | 4,300 | 4,050–4,550 | 4,050–4,300 | 4,050–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | 17–19 | 18–19 | 18–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 22–23 | 15–16 / 22–23 | 15–16 / 22–24 | 15–16 / 22–25 | 15–16 / 22–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | 468–523 | 468–494 | 468–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 79 | 24 | 100 | 25 | 85 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Jaguar S-Type have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Jaguar S-Type?
Brakes: 33 of 100 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Jaguar S-Type get?
EPA rates it 17–19 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Jaguar S-Type?
EPA estimates $4,050–$4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $4,050 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $4,050 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 33 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 18 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- 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.
- 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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- 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.
- 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.
PARKING BRAKE
- 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.
- 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Defect
- 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.
- 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.