2000 Jaguar S-Type from North America - Comments

Typical S-type problems. The drivers window regulator went out, but warranty covered it. Other than that all went well until 71,100 miles when the transmission failed.

Called Jaguar and they said that this was normal mileage for a auto gearbox to need overhauling. Reminded them that I have owned a 1969 Jaguar XJ since new that had 660,000 miles on it before we overhauled the transmission and they got quiet and then would not comment further.

Also was told by the salesman that the GPS system would have a new CD out every year to update the street information before buying the car. Last CD made was in 1999 and Jaguar and NavTech refuse to make a new one. A blatant lie from everyone involved on the CD based GPS system that Jaguar used on this car.

When first looking at the S-Type I had heard of transmission failures with this model and asked the salesman when buying the car only to be told that they know nothing about it and that as I had the extended warranty not to worry about it. Talked to him last week and he "forgot" the conversation. I have my original notes that I took in front of him during the discussion and he did not want to see them.

It's an excellent car, but Ford seems to feel like the parts on it are designed for a few years usage then need to be replaced or overhauled. They need to learn that a car should be built to last and not for a few years.

That is a typical response from Jaguar. Every time one brings up a well-known issue such as a transmission known to fail around 100,000 miles, faulty timing chain tensioners, and bad window regulators, the folks at the dealer say that they have NEVER heard of it happening, when you know certainly well that it has. They do not like to discuss your problems in front of other people in the waiting area either as they are scared to death that people will be frightened away from the cars.

I believe that Jaguars are good cars when one knows what to look out for and that they can be more practical than comparable models from Mercedes as they do not have quite as many electrical issues anymore and they get good fuel economy. Our 1994 XJ6 routinely got about 22 MPG, sometimes up to 26 if we were really careful. Our 1997 XK8 has gotten 25 MPG on every interstate trip we have taken in it as well. If Jaguar would come clean and offer more goodwill repairs for known issues, they could be a winning brand for once.

"Every time one brings up a well-known issue such as a transmission known to fail around 100,000 miles, faulty timing chain tensioners, and bad window regulators, the folks at the dealer say that they have NEVER heard of it happening,"

I guess Jaguar has adopted Ford's business model to a tee.