Our 2000 Jaguar S-type 3.0L sedan was parked on a slight upward incline with its gear selector in "park". when the car was re-started it could not be taken out of "park". after numerous tries to move the gear shift out of "park", the shift linkage was broken. The car had to be towed to the dealer for repair, costing roughly $2200, plus the towing fee. Jaguar cars ltd. Investigated and then refused to accept any responsibility for this failure, but the dealer, cush Jaguar in san diego, eventually agreed to cover half of the repair costs. This is apparently a common occurrence with this model. The san diego dealer told us that they have had "20 or 30" occurrences of this same problem. A search of the NHTSA website found 15 nearly identical occurrences reported to the ODI. This is a safety issue, not only with respect to stranding a car's occupants, but also with respect to potentially blocking roadways and driveways used for emergency vehicle access and for emergency exits. I ask that the NHTSA at least require Jaguar cars ltd. To inform owners of these vehicles of the existence of this problem and the steps they recommend to minimize its occurrence. But it would be preferable if the NHTSA were to issue a recall requiring Jaguar to modify the faulty pawls in these transmissions.

- La Jolla, CA, USA

While away on a business trip my wife called to tell me that our 200 S type Jaguar was inoperable and the gear shifter was "floating" - not able to shift out of park. Upon inspection I found that the gear shift lever was broken. I called the dealer in harrisburg pa and told them about the problem and the service advisor told me that since it was on an incline we should have used the emergency brake prior to shifting in to park. I asked if this was a common occurrence and he stated that I would have to get used to using the emergency brake with this vehicle and that it was a defect in the manufacturer of the transmission. I asked if this was a common occurrence and he stated - yes. I asked for a ballpark quote of what the repair would be and was told $400 for replacement of the shifter and $1200 for the transmission to replace a pin. I ordered the shifter part from the dealer and replaced and have used the emergency brake at all times - occasionally we still have shifter lock up and have to push on the rear of the vehicle to un jam the shifter.

- Red Lion, PA, USA

: the contact stated, the gear shift would not release from the park position when parked on an incline. The manufacturer suggested rocking the vehicle to release the vehicle from park. The contact was injured, on one occasion, while rocking the vehicle as instructed. The manufacturer suggested using the hand brake before placing the vehicle into park. When accelerating the automatic transmission slipped from 1st gear into neutral and would not shift into 2nd gear. The transmission functioned properly when the vehicle was restarted. A service dealer inspected the vehicle, and could not duplicate the problem. The vehicle could not pass emissions testing due to problems with the vehicle. The consumer was has been treated for muscles strains from dealing with the vehicle. The left front light lens was broken. Updated 09/11/06.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

This is the third time I've had a problem with my 2000 Jaguar S. 1st was in May 2005 while parked on a slight incline in my driveway the car would not shift out of park. After it set for a while, it shifted into drive. The same thing had happened a few months earlier when the car was being inspected. This time it was not on an incline, but the service technician had a hard time backing it out of the service bay. I took it to the dealership and they replaced the hand selector lever, gears, cable gear assembly. In August 2005 same problem happened again in my driveway. This time when taking it to the dealership, they replaced a missing bolt where transmission shift cable bolts to transmission. Now that the car is no longer under warranty, the same thing happened again on 2/25/06 in my driveway. "shaking" the car back and forth did something and I was able to get it out of park, but the only gear it would go in was a "manual 2nd" and reverse. I've called Jaguar customer complaint line and the dealership. I was told by customer service that the original repair from may '05 has a one year warranty so it should be covered. However, I don't know if I'll be able to drive the car to the dealership and she could not authorize towing. I really believe ODI should look into this problem before someone gets seriously hurt.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Wow, it is reassuring to know that I am not alone in my complaint about a faulty park pawl although you would never know it by the way I have been treated by the dealership and the manufacturer! basically, I've been told that since the car is no longer under the original warranty, a manufacturing malfunction/flaw is my problem even though I have an extended warranty plan and an invoice from a prior service indicating that the park pawl is faulty. The problem was supposed to have been taken care of at that June 16, 2005, service. However, the same problem recurred in January 2006, costing me $1577 to have it fixed. The last time I had a problem was when I parked my car on the upslope of a driveway. When I attempted to take the car out of park, the park pawl would not release no matter what I did. After trying unsuccessfully several times to move the lever, it broke. Aaa was unable to do anything and I had to wait until the following day for a mechanic and flatbed tow truck to come out from the dealership to remove the console and release the park pawl. It has since been replaced..............at my expense. I have written letters to the president of Jaguar cars, the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Ford Motor Company as well as its board of directors and to the general manager of the dealership. No one is willing to accept responsibility for the replacement/repair. Is there no recourse for the consumer even though it is under an extended warranty and the manufacturer is aware that there seems to be an ongoing problem with this specific part especially since it was brought to their attention several years ago as noted on the NHTSA website" how do I recoup an expense that I feel I should not be responsible for"

- Mill Valley, CA, USA

Through talking with Jaguar and looking through this website, there have been many troubled by a design defect that has been under reported in this car. When parked in my driveway, which has a slight incline as many do, I could not put the car back into gear. Trying to shift into gear caused the pin on the hand selector lever to break. It could not be taken out of park. Had to tow the car to the dealer which is 40 miles away. I lost 1/2 day of work and missed appointments. I also had to rent my own car for 2 days until the dealer could fix it. Dealer made it sound like it was my fault for not putting on the parking brake before I shifted into park. I read through all the owners manual and there is no indication or warning to do so. I have never been informed otherwise. I asked the dealer who also said there was no mention of it. I have had several other cars parked in this driveway over many years with no problems such as this. The 2000 S type has a design flaw which is not being handled properly by Jaguar. I was just fortunate it was in my own driveway when it happened. Hope I can always remember the unwritten sequence, apply foot brake, apply hand brake, shift to park, lift off foot brake and then cross your fingers.

- Hanford, CA, USA

On August 12, 2003 while parked on a slight incline, the car would not get out of gear. This had occurred once before, however, another Jaguar owner had this problem and reported she call a tow truck and when the car was removed from the incline the car went into gear. So, when it first happened to me, which was a couple of weeks prior to 08-12-03, I pushed it, it rolled and went into gear. Well, the next time it happened it wouldn't get into gear, and the gear shifter broke. Now, the car woujld go into gear and not move at all. Had to call a tow truck on that saturaday to be towed to the service center. Well, today is August 18, 2003 I am reporting this. The car is still in the shop. There was a "backlog" per the service center for this part. The "gear shifter" and/"transmission shifter". in plain common sense if parts of this nature are on such a backlog, then I would assume there is a problem with the issue of the transmission in this model Jaguar. We need satisfaction as a consumer. I even have extended warranty with "smartchoice 2000", and they are in liquidation. The service center is telling me I am not insured and I have a contract stating so. That is another issue that will be complained about.

- Austell, GA, USA