DETROIT, April 21 (Reuters) - Jaguar, a unit of Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - News), on Wednesday said it was recalling 67,798 cars because of a defect that can inadvertently slip them into reverse gear.

Models covered by the global recall, which affects nearly 33,500 vehicles in North America and others mostly in Europe and Japan, are the 2003 S-Type and XK and the 2004 XJ, Jaguar's flagship sedan, a company spokesman said.

All are equipped with six-speed ZF automatic transmissions and the spokesman said the problem involved an electronic module that controls the gearbox.

"In a rare event of major loss of oil pressure in the transmission, it can result in the transmission selecting reverse gear," he said.

He said there had been no reports of accidents or injuries stemming from any incidents in which the cars have suddenly slammed into reverse.

Jaguar is part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group, its stable of European-based luxury brands. The global recall is the second affecting customers of the upscale British nameplate in as many months.

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