Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Jaguar S-Type owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Odi#11101609 - update information. Update, my car recall part was replaced for $574.04 and I picked it up yesterday 6-27-18, by a local auto parts repair shop, I have the bill to show proof. Jaguar Land Rover gwinnett salesman frisco dollard [phone] ofc emailed me on 6-16-18 to sale me another car, I told him I want my car fixed not a sale. He told me to call mike white service mgr. After leaving several messages, mr white called me back very rude and stated, they would not compensate me for the recall defect part. After I asked him to run my VIN# he stated the recall part was replaced 6-29-2007 under my name. I told him that was impossible because I did not buy this car until 7-9-2007. …
The distance of the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are almost the same distance from the car floor and the pedals are close enough that a foot can contact both. After starting the car in a parking lot and putting in drive I stepped on the brake but the car lurched forward and the harder I pressed the brake the faster the car went over a concrete barrier. The cause was, of course, that I was stepping on both pedals. A year later the same thing happened and I rammed and broke a garage door. The height of the brake pedal must be raised about an inch so that stepping on the brake pedal will not allow simultaneous stepping the accelerator. I have contacted Jaguar, north America ref# [redacted]. On my car I have put a 7/8 inch block on the brake pedal to raise the height. If it had been a person ahead of me instead of a garage door I probably would have killed him.
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 slowing car before I was to hit dipsey dumpster ,on the side of the road (I had chosen to hit them in order to avoid involving other cars and pedestrians) when I hit the curb at high rpms , the impact damaged the right front wheel and under carriage of automobile. The acceleration stopped . It was a terrifying experience. This malfunction has been registered by other drivers. Of jaguars. It is a safety issue that Jaguar needs to address. I am lucky that I did not kill anyone or had serious injuries to my passenger and myself.
I found a recall on the electronic park brake module for a defect to be replaced since 2005, but I was never notified. I have had this vehicle since 2007 with many services at the dealership since purchased. Monday June 11, 2018 my parking brake engaged and would not release. This is s serious safety concern. I was parked away from home paying a bill in the poring rain and had to have my car towed to the nearer dealership.it has been 3 days now without transportation and I still don't know if they can fix it. All this could have been avoided with proper service and notification from the authorized dealership years ago at the time of service.
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
While driving at approximately 65 MPH rear brakes locked, and the brake light on the dashboard illuminated and began flashing. The driver had difficulty steering the vehicle. It went into a spin ,causing the rear of the vehicle to hit the concrete divider. Also, the steering column broke when the brake module broke. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The engineers could not find a problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Jaguar s-Type. The contact stated the emergency brake independently engaged. The brake and the ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V488000 (parking brake). The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jaguar s-Type. Approximately one week after the vehicle was purchased in December of 2008, the contact noticed that it would shift roughly from second to first gear upon deceleration. The vehicle would also jerk forward roughly when accelerating and driving 15 MPH. He found NHTSA campaign id number 04V024000 (power train:automatic transmission) and noticed that it was the same failure that his vehicle was displaying. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall; therefore, they were not liable for the repairs. The manufacturer was notified and agreed with the dealer. The current mileage was 41,923 and failure mileage was 40,600. Updated 5/18/09 the consumer stated the parking brake was inoperative. A failure message of the parking brake displayed on the dashboard. Updated 05/20/09.
My 2003 Jaguar s Type is getting a parking brake fault/engine system fault and dsc not available at the same time with the ABS brake symbol. I have new brakes on my car and the rotors are good as well. I was driving and my car lighting system came up with that above and started to move slowly on a city street. I don't know what is causing this problem. I see that there was a recall on the parking brake module back in 2005 but I am the second owner of this car. I am not sure if this was taken care of by the previous owner. I have called several Jaguar places about records on this car about these recall/s but I am getting the run around. Luckily I haven't had any accidents with this issue. Please help...
Related recalls
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.
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.
Brake complaints in other S-Type years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Jaguar S-Type?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Jaguar S-Type, 32% of the model year's 100 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Jaguar S-Type brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-488 (parking brake, Oct 7, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Jaguar S-Type brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.