2003 Jaguar X-Type recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, THE POWER CIRCUIT WHICH FEEDS THE DIRECTION INDICATOR SYSTEM COULD FAIL. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER BEING UNAWARE THAT THE EXTERNAL TURNING INDICATORS ARE NOT OPERATING BECAUSE THE INTERNAL "TELL-TAIL" LIGHT ON THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUES TO WORK NORMALLY.
What could happen: THE LOSS OF REAR TURN SIGNALS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-201-818-8500.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 X-TYPE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V011000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-201-818-8500.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, THE POWER CIRCUIT WHICH FEEDS THE DIRECTION INDICATOR SYSTEM COULD FAIL. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER BEING UNAWARE THAT THE EXTERNAL TURNING INDICATORS ARE NOT OPERATING BECAUSE THE INTERNAL "TELL-TAIL" LIGHT ON THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUES TO WORK NORMALLY.
Consequence: THE LOSS OF REAR TURN SIGNALS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-201-818-8500.
Notes: JAGUAR RECALL NO. R935. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LHD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HAND BRAKE, WHICH APPLIES THE PARKING BRAKE, MAY NOT APPLY SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PADS TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS LEFT IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER WITHIN THE HAND BRAKE MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY CAUSING THE HAND BRAKE LEVER TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE RECOMMENDED RANGE.
What could happen: IF THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OUTSIDE THE RECOMMENDED RANGE, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT HAND BRAKE LEVER SYSTEM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL HAND BRAKE LEVER SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-800-452-4827.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 X-TYPE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jaguar dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V487000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-452-4827.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: PARKING BRAKE
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LHD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HAND BRAKE, WHICH APPLIES THE PARKING BRAKE, MAY NOT APPLY SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PADS TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS LEFT IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER WITHIN THE HAND BRAKE MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY CAUSING THE HAND BRAKE LEVER TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE RECOMMENDED RANGE.
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OUTSIDE THE RECOMMENDED RANGE, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT HAND BRAKE LEVER SYSTEM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL HAND BRAKE LEVER SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-800-452-4827.
Notes: JAGUAR RECALL NO. R957. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (20), Transmission / drivetrain (17), Brakes (11), Engine (11), Vehicle Speed Control (11).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/12/2019 · Unknown Or Other
HYDRAULIC FLUID LINE BURST CONTROLLING CONVERTABLE TOP. CANT GET PARTS TO REPAIR
08/01/2018 · Body / structure
2003 JAGUAR X-TYPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A HEADLINER COLLAPSE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE GLUE FROM THE HEADLINER CREATED AN UNSAFE AND UNHEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. THE DRIVER'S PASSENGERS HAVE SHOWN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM PERSISTENT COUGHING, PNEUMONIA, EYE TUMORS AND BIRTH DEFECTS.*JS
03/27/2018 · Body / structure
ROCKERS PANELS ARE ROTTED BOTH SIDES. RENDERING THE CAR UNSAFE. NO DRAIN HOLES EVER PUT IN NOR WAS IT TREATED. THIS IS PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. KNOWN PROBLEM AT THAT.
03/23/2018 · Body / structure
ROCKER PANELS OR SILLS INNER AND OUTER LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES ROTTEN RUSTED POSSIBLE TOA FRAME. PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT FULL ENGAGE.
01/24/2018 · Airbags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR X-TYPE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED SANTIAGO AUTO MALL AT (718) 992-9316 (350 E 170TH ST, BRONX, NY 10456). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
11/01/2017 · Body / structure
LT & RT INNER AND OUTER ROCKER PANELS AND HENCE JACKING POINT ARE RIDDLED WITH RUST/CORROSION, STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED , UNSAFE IN SIDE IMPACT COLLISION OR FRONTAL OR REAR COLLISION , VEHICLE CREEKS AND GROANS AROUND DASH WHEN DRIVEN, FROM WEAKENED STRUCTURE ESPECIALLY AT LOWER "A" PILLARS.
09/17/2016 · Steering
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, ENGINE DIES. STEERING AND BRAKES ARE LOST. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, ABLE TO START ENGINE AND MOVE OFF OF ROAD.
12/03/2015 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JAGUAR X-TYPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE MANUAL BRAKE LEVER CABLE SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V487000 (PARKI…