How many recalls does the 2004 Jaguar S-Type have?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Jaguar S-Type model year. Whether one car had the recall work done depends on that car, so check its VIN with NHTSA.

What is the WhipWorthy verdict on the 2004 Jaguar S-Type?

Maybe. Sits inside a run of problem years. The verdict weighs this year against the other years of the S-Type, from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are unverified and not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

1999: 2 owner complaints, Not judged

Our take: only with records and an inspection. The years on both sides of it came out Maybe or Pass, so it most likely shares their problems.

Year verdict

Maybe

Inside a run of problem years

It sits inside a run of problem years. Buy only with records and an inspection.

Confidence: Medium

The typical year comes from only 5 years.

Past 100,000 miles

Not judged

Only 1 of its 2 complaints past 100,000 miles came in its first 12 years, the age every year is counted to. Too few to judge.

How the dial was counted

Year verdict: Typical year: 15 complaints, the median of 5 nearby years, leaving out 2000, 2001 and 2003, which were high themselves. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 2003; this one had 18.

Same car, better year: 2008 S-Type (Worthy)

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WhipWorthy sticker

2004 Jaguar S-Type

Complaints25Filed in all
Loading owner complaints
Recalls4On file
Loading recalls
CrashNoneNo overall stars
Loading crash ratings
MPG18 to 19Combined, EPA
Loading fuel economy

Complaints are unverified owner reports, not adjusted for how many were sold.

Compare this car Every S-Type year

Car report

Save this car to My Garage and see its recalls at a glance.Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Value signals

We do not price cars.

These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.

Costly problem zones ahead at your miles come with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Fuel: $4,200 to $4,400 a year.The EPA’s estimate for 15,000 miles a year, 55% in town, at its fuel prices. Each version
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
Have the VIN? Check it is this car, and see its open recalls at NHTSA.
VIN
On the dash at the base of the windshield, or on the driver’s door sticker.

What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.

Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.

The full record

Tap to open

What owners complain about

25 complaints; the part named most is the brakes

Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed May 5, 2004 to Jul 5, 2020. 48% name a part that is usually costly to fix.

Owners reported 4 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries in these complaints.

Brakes8 · 32%
Transmission and drivetrain7 · 28%Usually costly to fix
Engine6 · 24%Usually costly to fix

What one owner wrote about the brakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Jaguar stype. The rear brakes lock while driving. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. A representative from the dealer and manufacturer stated that he was ineligible for a free remedy since there were no recalls, and the warranty expired. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2009NHTSA complaint 102975681 of 17 owner quotes

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10 more parts, and 17 owner quotes

Every part owners name for the 2004 Jaguar S-Type, with their own words about what went wrong.

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SourceOwner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Jaguar S-Type. NHTSA, checked Nov 3, 2026.

Seller kit

Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points

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Walk up to the seller ready

Questions to ask the seller of a 2004 Jaguar S-Type, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.

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Write your offer

A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email

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Send the seller a fair offer

Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2004 Jaguar S-Type, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.

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When problems show up

Too few complaints give a mileage

Too few complaints mention a mileage to show a pattern. 8 complaints of 25 gave one, and a part needs at least 15.

SourceMileage from owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Jaguar S-Type. NHTSA, checked Nov 3, 2026.

Will it outlast the loan?

The month of your loan each problem zone lands in

Not enough owner complaints for the 2004 Jaguar S-Type mention a mileage to lay against a loan. Have a mechanic look it over all the same.

Recalls

4 recalls on file

Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.

Fuel system
Jun 13, 2006 · Recall 06E056000
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.
What can happen
Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
The fix
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 and accessories
Oct 14, 2004 · Recall 04V484000
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.
What can happen
This does not comply with the standard.
The fix
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.
Brakes
Oct 7, 2004 · Recall 04V488000
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.
What can happen
This condition can cause the vehicle to decelerate and may cause rear wheel "lockup" at any road speed. A crash may occur.
The fix
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.
Transmission and drivetrain
Jan 8, 2004 · Recall 04V024000
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.
What can happen
This failure could result in a crash.
The fix
Dealers will reprogram the transmission control module. The recall began on may 1, 2004. Owners should contact jaguar at 1-201-818-8500.

SourceRecalls listed by NHTSA for the 2004 Jaguar S-Type. NHTSA, checked Nov 3, 2026.

Crash ratings

No overall rating given

NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight. The tests changed for 2011 models, so these stars do not line up with newer ones.

2004 Jaguar S-Type 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not rated
Front
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated
Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Not available
Lane departure warning
Not available

NHTSA investigations: 0

SourceNHTSA crash ratings for the 2004 Jaguar S-Type. NHTSA, checked Nov 3, 2026.

Fuel economy

18 to 19 mpg combined, across 4 versions

The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in. Figures for 2007 and older use the EPA's 2008 method, so they may be lower than the original sticker.

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
S-Type 3.0 Litre · Rear wheel drive · Premium gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
24 mpg
Combined
19 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$4,200
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
S-Type 3.0 Litre · Rear wheel drive · Premium gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
24 mpg
Combined
19 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$4,200
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L
S-Type 4.2 Litre · Rear wheel drive · Premium gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
25 mpg
Combined
19 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$4,200
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L, Sup Charg
S-Type R · Rear wheel drive · Premium gas
City
15 mpg
Highway
22 mpg
Combined
18 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$4,400
This one on fueleconomy.gov

SourceEPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov. EPA, checked Nov 3, 2026.

True cost to own

The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years

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What it really costs to own

What the 2004 Jaguar S-Type costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.

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Every year of the S-Type

2 Worthy, 4 Maybe, 2 Pass, of 10 years on file

Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.

Best and worst years of the S-Type

SourceNHTSA owner complaints and recalls for the S-Type. NHTSA, checked Nov 3, 2026.

Before you buy this one

5 checks, with a close look at the brakes

Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.

Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 4 recalls on file. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the brakes. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look at the brakes first.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the brakes.
Brake firmly somewhere safe. Feel for pulling, grinding or a soft pedal.

Going to see it? Take the checklist52 checks with the bad signs to look for, saved on your phone.

Check this exact car

The verdict is about the model year. These checks are about the one in front of you. Most are free or a few dollars.

VIN for these checks

Copy it, then paste it into each check. Nothing is sent until you open one.

Official checks on this VIN

Open recallsFree
NHTSA
Safety recalls on this VIN that are not fixed yet, from the last 15 years.
A recall already fixed does not show.
Check recalls at NHTSAnhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Theft and total lossFree
NICB VINCheck
Whether an insurer reported it stolen and not found, or wrote it off as a total loss.
Only insurer records. Five checks a day.
Open NICB VINChecknicb.org (opens in a new tab)
Title brandsA few dollars
NMVTIS, the federal title system
Salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt brands from any state, and the last miles on the title.
No repairs, service or recalls. Sold by approved sellers listed on the site.
See the approved sellersvehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov (opens in a new tab)
Title statusVaries by state
The state motor vehicle office
Whether the title is branded in that state and, where the state offers it, whether a lender still has a lien.
It will not name the owner. Each state asks its own way, and some only by mail. Ask to see the seller’s title too.
Find your state’s officeusa.gov (opens in a new tab)

What a paid report adds

A history report such as Carfax or AutoCheck pulls in more of the car’s past than these checks can:

Crashes and damage reported by police, insurers or shops, even when it was fixed.
Service visits that shops reported, with the miles each time.
How many owners, for how long, and the states it was registered in.
Whether it was a rental, fleet or lease car, when that was reported.

It only knows what was reported to it. A clean report is not proof of a clean car. Ask the seller first: many dealers hand one over for free.

Red flags in a history

Salvage title
Usually an insurer called it a total loss. In most states it cannot be driven on the road until it is rebuilt and inspected.
Rebuilt title
A salvage car that was fixed and passed a state check. It can be fine, but it is worth less, can be harder to insure, and needs a careful inspection.
Flood damage
Water can ruin wiring and sensors months later. Be wary of a flood brand that vanished after a move to another state.
Lemon or maker buyback
The maker bought it back over a defect it could not fix. Ask what the defect was and how it was fixed.
Odometer rollback
A mileage reading lower than an earlier one, or a title marked not actual miles.
Many owners, fast
Three owners in two years can mean a problem each one passed along.
Gaps in the records
Years with no service or registration. Ask why: it may have sat, been off the road, or been rebuilt.

Title words and rules differ by state. Not legal advice.

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection
Have a mechanic you choose, not the seller, put it on a lift and look it over before you pay.
Insurance quote
Get a quote on this exact car before you sign. Ask your own insurer and one or two others.

Model year	Owner complaints	Verdict
1999	2	Not judged
2000	146	Pass
2001	80	Maybe
2002	35	Maybe
2003	104	Pass
2004	25	Maybe
2005	90	Maybe
2006	22	Worthy
2007	6	Not judged
2008	13	Worthy

The verdict on the 2004 Jaguar S-Type

Value signals

What owners complain about

Seller kit

Write your offer

When problems show up

Will it outlast the loan?

Recalls

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Equipment and accessories

What can happen

The fix

Brakes

What can happen

The fix

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Crash ratings

2004 Jaguar S-Type 4-DR. w/SAB

Fuel economy

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L

Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L, Sup Charg

True cost to own

Every year of the S-Type

Before you buy this one

Check this exact car

Official checks on this VIN

What a paid report adds

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection

Insurance quote

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Equipment and accessories

What can happen

The fix

Brakes

What can happen

The fix

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L

Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L, Sup Charg

2004 Jaguar S-Type 4-DR. w/SAB