RoadVitals

2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
63
Latest Dec 11, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Mar 15, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 63 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and airbags categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 13 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine3244.4%
  • Brakes1419.4%
  • Airbags45.6%
  • Interior & seats45.6%
  • Other / unspecified45.6%
  • Transmission34.2%
  • Driver assistance34.2%
  • Seat belts22.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
12E010000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Mar 15, 2012
180 units potentially affected
The defect: JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, INC. (LAND ROVER) IS RECALLING CERTAIN REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLINGS, LAND ROVER BRANDED PART NUMBER TVF100010, MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2011 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2011, SOLD FOR USE AS SERVICE PARTS FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995-1999 DISCOVERY, 1999-2004 DISCOVERY II, AND 1995 RANGE ROVER CLASSIC VEHICLES. SOME OF THE REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE REQUIRED ENGINEERING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXHIBIT THE ONSET OF JOINT SEPARATION, PRECLUDED BY DRIVE LINE VIBRATION.
The risk: IF THIS INCREASED VIBRATION WARNING SIGN IS IGNORED, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVE COUPLING CAN OCCUR. THE DRIVESHAFT MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION RESULTING IN LOSS OF DRIVE AND LOSS OF TRANSMISSION PARK FUNCTIONALITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH AND/OR INJURY.
The remedy: LAND ROVER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA AT 1-201-818-8500.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, LLCManufacturer number P024View on NHTSA.gov
04V006000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Jan 6, 2004
5,264 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE) PUMP BANJO BOLT LOOSES TORQUE AND ALLOWS FLUID TO LEAK PAST THE JOINT.
The risk: THE FLUID FROM THE PUMP JOINT CAN IGNITE, RESULTING IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR LEAKAGE. IF NO LEAKAGE IS EVIDENT, THE BANJO BOLT WILL BE RE-TIGHTENED. IF LEAKAGE IS EVIDENT, THE BANJO BOLT AND DOWTY WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
LAND ROVERManufacturer number B149View on NHTSA.gov
04V005000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Jan 6, 2004
100,174 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS," AND NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR VALVE COVER RETAINING BOLTS CAN CRACK DUE TO STRESSES TRANSMITTED BY THE FLEXING VALVE COVERS.
The risk: THIS CAN PRODUCE AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR TOTAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING FUNCTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL STRENGTHEN THE ABS MODULATOR ASSEMBLY VALVE COVERS AND REPLACE THE RETAINING BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXEPCTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
LAND ROVERManufacturer number B148View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 63
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 11, 2016

ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AFTER I PURCHASED IT AND I HAD JUST GOT THE BEST RECOMMENDED OIL AN SPARK PLUGS / WIRES NO MONEY TO REPAIR

NHTSA ID
10934497
Incident
Sep 17, 2016
Mileage
158,510 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jul 7, 2016
2 injuries reported

WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON I 5. IN RED BLUFF CALIFORNIA HEADED TO LODI CA.THE CAR JUST STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SWIIRVING LEFT TO RIGHT WITH CONTROL OR RESPONSE FROM THE STEERING WHEELL WE HIT GOING 65MPH.AND WE WERE SMASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL HEAD ON. THEN SPUN OUT ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. CAR IS TOTALED AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.HAPPENED AT 1435 IN THE AFTERNOON. DRY SUNNY CONDITIONS , AND WE HAD A 11 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR BEHIND ME ON PASSENGER SIDE. AND A 4 YR OLD BEHIND MY WIFE WHOM WAS DRIVING. SCARY , MY GOAL IS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER FAMILY'S LIKE MINE. MY WIFE AND I WERE LUCKY TO ONLY WALK AWAY INJURED. AND KIDS TRAMITIZED BUT ALIVE.. THANK GOD. BUT ANOTHER FAMILY MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY UNLESS THIS IS ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ID
10883470
Incident
Jun 12, 2016
Airbags
Filed Dec 25, 2015

THE STEERING AIR BAG BLOWOUT FOR NOTHING, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THE MOTOR WAS WORKING I'M WHASING THE LAND ROVER AND THAT HAPPENED, I'M CONFUSE.

NHTSA ID
10816218
Incident
Dec 23, 2015
Engine
Filed Apr 3, 2014

MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND THEN A SOUND SIMILAR TO METAL SCRATCHING METAL. I HAD A MASTER MECHANIC LOOK AT THE ENGINE AND HAD SEVERAL PART REPLACED 1500.00 WORTH TO BE EXACT AND STILL THE SOUND OCCURS. I CONTACTED LAND ROVER AND BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS USED AND OVER THE WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT SUGGEST A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGE BY LAND ROVER THAT THE LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 2003 THE OIL PUMP WAS FAULTY, HOWEVER HAVE DENIED ANY KIND OF SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM TO MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS OTHER THAN SUGGESTING A NEW ENGINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND AS A CONSUMER WE CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS ON A VEHICLE WHICH THE MANUFACTURE KNOWING AND WILLINGLY MANUFACTURE THE A VEHICLE WITH FAULTY EQUIPMENT. ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO SAFETY RISK TO THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT ITS STILL WRONG TO PRODUCE A TECHNICAL WITH FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I AM OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HOPING BY CONTACTING THE NHTSA SOMETHING WILL BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10577206
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
10562849
Incident
Sep 10, 2008
Mileage
55,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 7, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE OIL PUMP FAILED, THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10491691
Incident
Dec 24, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 18, 2012

I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ONLINE ISSUE WITH MY LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II, MY VIN IS NOT THE SAME HOWEVER THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. "2003 DISCOVERY SERIES II OIL PUMP FAILURE" I HAVE A LOAD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE, THE VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING, AND OIL CHANGES, TREATMENTS ETC CANNOT STOP THE KNOCK. NOT GETTING ANY WARNING LIGHTS OF LOW PRESSURE HOWEVER IT IS AT THE LAND ROVER DEALERSHIP OF FORT WORTH NOW AND THEY CONFIRMED THE SAME. THIS A $12,000 FIX FOR AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL OR NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. I HAVE OVER 300 POSTINGS ON LINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES BUT ALL IN 60 MINS OF LOOKING AND SURE THERE ARE THOUSANDS MORE. I'M NOT SURE HOW TO SEARCH FOR RECALLS OVER IN GREAT BRITAIN BEING THAT SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT?S WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS IMPORTED FROM WITH THE SALTY VIN NUMBER BUT ANY DIRECTION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10489148
Incident
Nov 2, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2012

WHILE DRIVING LOW MILEAGE 2003 DISCOVERY II SE7, ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK IN UPPER ENGINE AREA ON DRIVER SIDE. PULLED INTO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A ROD AS THE NOISE DISSIPATES WHEN IDLED ABOVE 1000 RPM. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL LAND ROVER SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS EITHER A BAD OIL PUMP OR THE SLEEVE IN THE CYLINDER AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE HAS COME LOOSE AND IS KNOCKING UP AGAINST THE HEAD GASKET. TECHNICIAN PRIVATELY INDICATED BOTH ARE KNOWN ISSUES AND THAT A NEW ENGINE IS REQUIRED IN EITHER CASE AND THAT LR NORTH AMERICA KNOWS OF THE ISSUES AND HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST OWNERS OR ISSUE A RECALL. COST OF NEW ENGINE IS BETWEEN $8,000 AND 12,000 DEPENDING ON WHO YOU TALK WITH. SINCE THE ONLY REAL ISSUE SO FAR IS THE NOISE FACTOR (SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL WHILE IDLING), TECHNICIAN FURTHER ADVISED IT WOULD BE BEST TO KEEP DRIVING THE LR UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FAILED AS THE PRICE OF NEW ENGINE WOULD NOT BE MORE AND I SHOULD GET AS MUCH FROM THE ORIGINAL AS POSSIBLE. REQUEST NHTSA LOBBY ON BEHALF OF OWNERS TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BETWEEN OWNERS AND LRNA. ISSUES ARE OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECTS AND LR SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PROBLEM AND OFFER SOME TYPE SOLUTION TO THE CONSUMER. THE NHTSA SHOULD ISSUE SOME SORT OF FINE IF POSSIBLE TO FORCE LR TO MAKE GOOD ON THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10448491
Incident
Feb 8, 2011
Mileage
89,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SFCC-14SEP17

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call

SSM56457

ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

"ISSUE: REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED OF ENGINE DAMAGE OCCURRING, WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE USE OF NON-APPROVED ENGINE INDUCTION / FUEL INJECTION CLEANING EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ""VACU-FLUSH"" TYPE EQUIPMENT. CAUSE: THE USE OF NON-APPROVED EQUIPMENT CAN CAUSE THE ENGINES TO HYDRO-LOCK, OR CAUSE OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE, AND SOMETIMES THE ONLY POSSIBLE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE."

SSM68378

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

"ISSUE: THIS SSM HAS BEEN RELEASED TO ADDRESS THE HIGH NUMBER OF SPEAKER ASSEMBLIES RETURNED, MANY OF WHICH ARE DEEMED AS “NO FAULT FOUND”. CAUSE: INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS."

700704

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)/HDC/TC WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION. LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SERIES II. *TT

700205

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

SHUTTLE VALVE SWITCH RELATED ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM /TRACTION CONTROL /HILL DESCENT CONTROL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION TROUBLESHOOTING. ALL LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SERIES II. *TT

570305

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

REVISED PROCEDURE AND TIME FOR STEERING BOX INSTALLATION. *SC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Land Rover Discovery Ii by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004222254.8
2003Viewing633051.0
2002344054.0
2001316061.7
20004010057.1
1999367055.7
1998000—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.