Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Jaguar XJ, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Jaguar XJ cars on Dutch roads are the 4.2 petrol (219 kW, 294 hp), 3.0 petrol (175 kW, 235 hp) and 3.6 petrol (190 kW, 255 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2 petrol | 219 kW 294 hp | 138 |
| 3.0 petrol | 175 kW 235 hp | 108 |
| 3.6 petrol | 190 kW 255 hp | 102 |
| 4.2 petrol | 291 kW 390 hp | 100 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
462 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 43% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €106,016.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde245
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af192
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af159
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen124
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt99
- Band onvoldoende profiel97
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm88
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld71
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,429 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 763 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,763 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 71% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 13.0% | 16.4% |
| Brakes | 9.3% | 13.9% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.7% | 21.6% |
| Visibility | 6.5% | 7.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.9% | 7.4% |
| Steering | 4.7% | 4.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
19 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 224,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
5 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 13.3 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 306 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| XJ Sport · Compact · Premium gasoline | 15.3 | 10.7 | 13.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2003 Jaguar XJ.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Jaguar told its dealers about the 2003 Jaguar XJ: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634097 | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE VIBRATION/SHIMMY IN THE TIRE ASSEMBLY, MODEL XK 2002 AND 2003.*JB |
| 610185 | ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) REPLACEMENT - ENGINE MANAGEMENT QUESTIONAIRE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. *TT THIS BULLETIN REPLACED BULLETIN 303-34, DATED 10/99. *TT |
| 10231233 | Unable to Login to SDD - Recommended TOPIx browsers screen is displayed. |
| 10231228 | Climate Controlled Seats Diagnosis & Testing |
| 10229377 | Rear transport tow eye being left in place or not discarded |
| 10228531 | DVD software update |
| 10227618 | Diagnostic Concerns. |
| 10227132 | Lack of Cooling From Air Conditioning |
| 10227131 | Lack of Cooling From Air Conditioning |
| 10227122 | Title: 5.0L V8 (AJ133) overheating due to incorrect |
| 10227121 | Charging a vehicle fitted with Battery monitoring system |
| 10226324 | Earth Stud Repair on Aluminum Body |
| 10212871 | Charge Air Hose assy detachment. |
| 10212870 | X351 Seat Memory Switch Number 1 Stuck High |
| 10212869 | Fuel Injector Concerns 5.0 AJ133 Gasoline. |
| 10212868 | Fuel Injector Concerns 5.0 AJ133 Gasoline. |
| 10212866 | Diagnostic Concerns. |
| 10212864 | HLDF Programming - `Candidate Not Available` message. |
| 10212861 | Hood / Bonnet Ajar Switch. |
| 10212860 | Loose battery terminals. |
| 10212859 | Front Control Display Interface Module Re-configuration. |
| 10212857 | Mongoose Update. |
| 10212856 | Mongoose Update |
| 10212855 | JTB00268 engine hard to start after hot soak - fan running Category Driveability. |
| 10212854 | Error during key programing |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)