Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Jaguar S-Type owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2001 Jaguar s-Type. The contact purchased the vehicle on September 12, 2008. Later that same day, while driving 40 MPH, the contact turned the steering wheel to the left, but the vehicle turned in the opposite direction. The vehicle began swaying left to right and she lost all control. The vehicle crashed into a median and stopped. The vehicle was damaged, but there were no injuries. After the crash, the contact drove approximately 5 MPH until she reached her residence. She exited the vehicle and noticed that the tires were bald and the wiring protruded. She took the vehicle to two different mechanics and they both stated that the lower ball joints were defective on both sides of the vehicle. The dealer advised her to call the manufacturer regarding NHTSA campaign id number 00V359002 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jaguar s-Type. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel would veer to the right on its own without warning. The contact managed to keep the steering wheel straight and drove to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was test driven and the mechanic found that the ball joints were fractured and deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. Jaguar raleigh (4001 capital hills dr, raleigh, nc 27616, [phone]) was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 00V359002 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jaguar s-Type. The contact stated that the vehicle independently veered to the right and the contact heard an abnormal popping sound. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's wheel collapsed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ball joints loosened, malfunctioned, and needed to be replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jaguar s-Type. While driving at any speed, the vehicle made squeaking noises without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the driver side ball joint, driver side and rear bearings, and the passenger side upper control arm assembly, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was 17,030.
In 2001, the year I bought the car I had a crash where I lost the complete control of the car. I just read that there was a recall of suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint which can cause the crash. I am certain that this caused my crash and due this I was under enormous tension for 6 - 8 months. My car was in body shop for 6 months which caused me lot of problems in my day to day life.
When I bought the car a week later it blew hot air, I was told it only needed freon. I found out later that there was a leak and it is $1200. A week after that the car would not start the dealer picked the car up and said that the battery was dead because I left the radio on, it has happened over 30 times, not true there is something wrong. I have replaced tires at least six times. Tires completely separate. I was driving and car slowed down on freeway and I was almost hit, I pulled over and it stopped and did it again and I had to push the traction control button, almost cost me my life! It now happens when I hit a bump. When I turn the car makes a extremely loud noise, (embarrassing) I was told it is a ball joint and can catch on fire. Engine light has always been on and is now blinking and the car shakes and hesitates. I had to pay to get the brakes fixed 2 months after purchasing. …
My vehicle was taken to the dealership it was purchased for an ac repair in September. I was then informed that both front control arms and both ball joints needed replacing immediately for $3,000! I went home and checked online to find that my car had a recall issued (recall #6434) for the exact items I was now being told to replace. I am the original owner and never received any correspondence regarding this recall and I still reside at the same address. I've asked both the dealer and Jaguar to please take care of the recall but they are stalling; I am now worried about my safety in my automobile. The facts are that 38,681 of their autos were affected but only a few were repaired-- [redacted] at Jaguar [phone] is proposing $659 to apply to the $3,000 I would owe. I have sent two additional e-mails asking to speak to a supervisor. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Jaguar s-Type. While driving approximately 60 MPH on normal road conditions, the steering column began to jerk excessively and the vehicle pulled to the left without assistance. The contact experienced difficulty operating the steering column. Suddenly, the vehicle ran off the road uncontrollably and drove into the median. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was related to the front ball joint assembly. The technician recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for repair. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed of NHTSA campaign id number 00V359002 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). Although the failures were identical, the VIN was excluded from the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. …
For over two weeks I am been having problems with the lower front control arm passenger side, then after well and driving almost I had a bad accident on the freeway. I took it to the mechanic and he advise me to replace the lower front control arm and the ball joint cause it was loosing. Then when I was about to go to fix it the ball joint crash and the lower control arm came apart the tire went 90 degrees out and that happened in the middle of the road with traffic driving fast. I could have a bad wreck or an injury. I called the police to help me out with the traffic and a tow truck to pick my car. Driving this car is being extremely dangerous for me. Now I don't have a car to drive and I expect the Jaguar be responsible for this issue since it was a recall for this model 2001 Jaguar stype .
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Jaguar s Type. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly became resistant to acceleration attempts. The contact began tapping the shifter and the vehicle resumed normally. The contact also indicated that the odor of gasoline was present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer who diagnosed that the fuel filter and fuel pump were faulty, and both were replaced. Additionally, an abnormal banging noise was heard from the front of the vehicle and the seat belt malfunctioned and became unsecured. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic. Who replaced the front ball joints but the seat belt failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 102,000.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front suspension lower ball joints were not tightened to specifications when they were attached to the lower control arms.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque on the two ball joint attaching nuts. Vehicles with loose ball joint attaching nuts will either have the fasteners tightened to specification, or if necessary, the ball joints will be…
Suspension complaints in other S-Type years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Jaguar S-Type?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Jaguar S-Type, 48% of the model year's 79 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Jaguar S-Type suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V359002 (lower ball joint, Nov 6, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Jaguar S-Type suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.