2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1435.9%
- Powertrain (other)717.9%
- Brakes717.9%
- Steering37.7%
- Transmission25.1%
- Tires & wheels12.6%
- Other / unspecified12.6%
- Body & structure12.6%
- Electrical12.6%
- Airbags12.6%
- Seat belts12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF ANTI FREEZE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II WELL MAINTAINED AT 112 MILES PRESENTED SLIGHT COOLANT AND OIL LEAKAGE. OVERHEATED TWICE. COOLANT LEAK WORSENED RESULTING IN VISUAL INSPECTION BY OWNER. SEVERE COOLANT LEAK EVIDENT FROM RIGHT SIDE REAR HEAD GASKET AND EITHER LEFT SIDE FRONT HEAD GASKET OR FRONT COVER. OIL LEAK ISOLATED TO LEFT SIDE VALVE COVER. ENGINE UNDERGOING TEARDOWN TO DETERMINE DAMAGE EXTENT AND REPAIRABILITY. ESTIMATE $2,500 ASSUMING STEEL CYLINDER LINERS HAVE NOT MOVED OUT OF POSITION. PROPOSED REPAIR ACTION: REPLACE LEFT AND RIGHT HEAD, FRONT COVER, OIL PAN, VALLEY, THROTTLE BODY, GASKETS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND POSSIBLY RADIATOR. RESEARCH SUGGESTS ENGINE REPLACEMENT WITH "TOP HAT" CYLINDER LINERS. *TR
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT CAME APART WITHOUT WARNING AND I WAS ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH I WAS ABLE TO AVOID. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA, VA ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MOST COMMON IN LAND ROVER AND RANGE ROVER. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT WOULD CAUSE SEVERE ACCIDENTS IF THERE IS NO WARNING BEFOREHAND. *TR
I OWN A 2002 DISCOVERY SERIES 2 AT ABOUT 92000 MILES THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FAILED, WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE REPLACED IT WITH A USED ONE FROM A 2002 ALSO AND NOT EVEN 1 MONTH LATER THE REPLACEMENT ALSO FAILED NOW I'M RELUCTANT TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AT ANOTHER 900 DOLLARS. ALSO I HAVE THE OLD ONE THAT FAILED, HOPING TO GET IT FIXED AS A REPLACEMENT AS I HAVE BEEN READING THEY SEEM TO FAIL ALOT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKE FLUID. NO BRAKES. ALL LINES AND CHASSIS RUSTED. *TR
THE ANTILOCK BRAKES, HILL DESCENT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON MY LAND ROVER DISCOVERY ON A REGULAR BASIS. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THIS IS DUE TO THE ABS MODULATOR, AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AS YET WITH THIS PART. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAVELING SOUTH OF COLUMBUS, OH ON INTERSTATE, GOING BETWEEN 55-65 MPH. CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, SUDDEN LOUD NOISE (AS IF TIRE BLEW OR WE HIT AN OBJECT) AND WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS BLACK SMOKE BILLOWED UP AND INTO THE CAR. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND EXITED. UPON INSPECTION THE TIRES WERE FINE. CALLED AAA AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST LAND ROVER DEALER IN DUBLIN, OH. NEXT DAY WE WERE TOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT "CAME APART" AND THEN DAMAGED THE TRANSMISION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PIPE, ALONG WITH DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR BOARD. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT WE WERE "LUCKY" THE CAR CAME TO A SAFE STOP. OUR CAR WAS "TOTALED" AS THE DAMAGES QUOTED WERE AS MUCH AS THE CAR WAS WORTH, ACCORDING TO LAND ROVER DUBLIN. THEY SHOWED US THE KBB PRICE OF $10,000 AND THE DAMAGE QUOTE WAS $8,900. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A RELATIVE'S HOME IN PA. (IT IS CLOSER THAN OUR HOME IN TN). *TR
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED A FEW MONTH AGO AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY REPLACED IT IN MAY 07 W/A GENERIC PUMP. 2 WEEKS LATER IT FAILED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME RUINED THE RESERVOIR AND RADIATOR, SO THOSE ITEMS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE DEALER REPLACED W/ A LR PSPUMP, BUT IT FAILED. SO THEY REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER, BUT IT FAILED ONE WEEK LATER. THE WARRANTY COMPANY APPROVED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT, WHICH WAS COMPLETED. I HAD THE CAR ONE DAY AND IT WAS RETURNED TO LR B/C IT WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE. LR REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ONE WEEK AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. LR TOWED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE PS PUMP AGAIN. I JUST PICKED IT UP YESTERDAY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAVELING SOUTH OF COLUMBUS, OH ON INTERSTATE, GOING BETWEEN 55-65 MPH. CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, SUDDEN LOUD NOISE (AS IF TIRE BLEW OR WE HIT AN OBJECT) AND WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS BLACK SMOKE BILLOWED UP AND INTO THE CAR. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND EXITED. UPON INSPECTION THE TIRES WERE FINE. CALLED AAA AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST LAND ROVER DEALER IN DUBLIN, OH. NEXT DAY WE WERE TOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT "CAME APART" AND THEN DAMAGED THE TRANSMISION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PIPE, ALONG WITH DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR BOARD. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT WE WERE "LUCKY" THE CAR CAME TO A SAFE STOP. OUR CAR WAS "TOTALED" AS THE DAMAGES QUOTED WERE AS MUCH AS THE CAR WAS WORTH, ACCORDING TO LAND ROVER DUBLIN. THEY SHOWED US THE KBB PRICE OF $10,000 AND THE DAMAGE QUOTE WAS $8,900. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A RELATIVE'S HOME IN PA. (IT IS CLOSER THAN OUR HOME IN TN). *TR
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE 2002 LANDROVER DISCOVERY II HILL DESCENT FEATURE THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM CAME OFF IN THE CONSUMER'S HAND. *NM THE VEHICLE HAD GONE OUT OF CONTROL WHILE GOING DOWN HILL. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRES (GOODYEAR) WEAR UNEVEN (SIGNIFICANT CUPPING AFTER 10K MILES) AND INCREASE RISK OF TIRE FAILURE. LAND ROVER DEALERS AND CUSTOMER CARE ARE AWARE OF THIS OEM COMPONENT FAILURE IN THEIR DISCORVERY II VEHICLES BUT ARE NEGLIGENT AND REFUSE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. LAND ROVER KNOWS THAT THIS FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN THEIR VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES. *PH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED A FEW MONTH AGO AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY REPLACED IT IN MAY 07 W/A GENERIC PUMP. 2 WEEKS LATER IT FAILED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME RUINED THE RESERVOIR AND RADIATOR, SO THOSE ITEMS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE DEALER REPLACED W/ A LR PSPUMP, BUT IT FAILED. SO THEY REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER, BUT IT FAILED ONE WEEK LATER. THE WARRANTY COMPANY APPROVED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT, WHICH WAS COMPLETED. I HAD THE CAR ONE DAY AND IT WAS RETURNED TO LR B/C IT WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE. LR REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ONE WEEK AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. LR TOWED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE PS PUMP AGAIN. I JUST PICKED IT UP YESTERDAY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAVELING SOUTH OF COLUMBUS, OH ON INTERSTATE, GOING BETWEEN 55-65 MPH. CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, SUDDEN LOUD NOISE (AS IF TIRE BLEW OR WE HIT AN OBJECT) AND WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS BLACK SMOKE BILLOWED UP AND INTO THE CAR. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND EXITED. UPON INSPECTION THE TIRES WERE FINE. CALLED AAA AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST LAND ROVER DEALER IN DUBLIN, OH. NEXT DAY WE WERE TOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT "CAME APART" AND THEN DAMAGED THE TRANSMISION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PIPE, ALONG WITH DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR BOARD. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT WE WERE "LUCKY" THE CAR CAME TO A SAFE STOP. OUR CAR WAS "TOTALED" AS THE DAMAGES QUOTED WERE AS MUCH AS THE CAR WAS WORTH, ACCORDING TO LAND ROVER DUBLIN. THEY SHOWED US THE KBB PRICE OF $10,000 AND THE DAMAGE QUOTE WAS $8,900. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A RELATIVE'S HOME IN PA. (IT IS CLOSER THAN OUR HOME IN TN). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SERIES II 2002 SUFFERING FROM SEEMINGLY RANDOM APPEARANCE OF THREE WARNING LIGHTS (ALWAYS TOGETHER) ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, HILL DESCENT. KNOWN TO MANY DISCOVERY OWNERS AS THE THREE AMIGOS THESE LIGHTS ARE APPARENTLY THE RESULT OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS MODULATOR AND LAND ROVER INSISTS IT IS NOT A RECALL PROBLEM. AS PART AND LABOR RUN ABOUT $ 1,800 AND PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONCERN AMONGST OWNERS THAT LAND ROVER IS NOT DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM IN AN UPFRONT FASHION. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (NHSTA 10016118, # 700205) PROBABLY RELATES TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 2002 LAND ROBER DISCOVERY 11, I SWERVED TO MISS A ON COMING CAR, THE LAND ROVER LOCKED UP, WENT OUT OF CONTROL, THE SEAT BELT & AIR BAG DID NOT WORK, I FLEW INTO THE WINDSHIELD, BUSTED UP MY HEAD, SHOULDER & KNEE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 2002 LAND ROBER DISCOVERY 11, I SWERVED TO MISS A ON COMING CAR, THE LAND ROVER LOCKED UP, WENT OUT OF CONTROL, THE SEAT BELT & AIR BAG DID NOT WORK, I FLEW INTO THE WINDSHIELD, BUSTED UP MY HEAD, SHOULDER & KNEE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .