RoadVitals

2001 Land Rover Discovery

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.
13
Latest Mar 28, 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.
1
Latest Nov 16, 2000
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.
3
11 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Land Rover Discovery, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Suspension426.7%
  • Brakes320.0%
  • Engine320.0%
  • Electrical16.7%
  • Body & structure16.7%
  • Other / unspecified16.7%
  • Powertrain (other)16.7%
  • Driver assistance16.7%

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

1 campaign 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

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Nov 16, 2000
59,445 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL CAN LEAD TO VARIOUS FAILURE MODES OF THE TRANSMISSION. ONE OF THESE FAILURE MODELS RESULTS IN INCORRECT OPERATION OF THE PARK LOCK FUNCTION THAT COULD ALLOW A VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF PARKED WITHOUT THE HANDBRAKE PROPERLY SET.
The risk: UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE PARK LOCK FUNCTION; REPOSITION THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BREATHER TUBE; AND TEST THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FLUSH IF NECESSARY.
LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V423000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID
10852069
Incident
Mar 27, 2016
Mileage
87,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE PROPERLY WHILE THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND DOWN HILL SENSOR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10695193
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 6, 2013

TRUCK ABS, DOWNHILL DESCENT, TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON WHEN BRAKE APPLIED. ALL THREE LIGHTS ARE ON. IN EVENT I WAS DRIVING DURING SNOW OR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS DOWN HILL VEHICLE WOULD OF BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL RESULTING IN CRASH AND PHYSICAL INJURY. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SHUTTER VALVE FAILURE WHICH CAN BE RESULT OF BRAKE FLUID CORRODING ELECTRICAL SWITCHES OR JUST OUTRIGHT FAILURE WHERE REPAIR ESTIMATES RANGE FROM $1200 TO $3800. THIS ISSUE IS NOTORIOUS AMONG 1999-2004 DISCOVERY'S. WHY WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED EVENTUALLY TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE NOW TO PREVENT THE DEATH OF ITS CITIZENS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10491550
Incident
Jan 4, 2013
Mileage
131,930 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 19, 2008

IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED - COULD NOT UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL . HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED AWAY FROM GAS STATION PUMP ON A SUNDAY ($75) IN ATHENS GA. THEN ON A WEEK DAY HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED FROM ATHENS GA TO AUGUSTA GA ($350)(TO A LANDROVER DEALER) TO FIX IT. IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED ($778). *TR

NHTSA ID
10246018
Incident
Oct 14, 2001
Mileage
98,501 mi
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 30, 2008

2001 LANDROVER DISCOVERY HEAD GASKET WAS NEVER FIXED STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243994
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 24, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY, NEARLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED. SHE DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT ASSUME LIABILITY. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

NHTSA ID
10215903
Incident
Jan 12, 2008
Mileage
83,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 1, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATED THE ABS MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THERE WAS DOCUMENTATION THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE PLACED ON CORRODED ROTORS, CAUSING THE MODULE TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. ONE ROTOR WAS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. CONTACT STATED SHE WAS DECEIVED WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. DEALER DID NOT INFORM HER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10127284
Incident
Mar 7, 2005
Mileage
68,199 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 20, 2004
Crash reported4 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND WHEN APPROACHING A TURN VEHICLE SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AFTER LOSING CONTROL VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THEN, VEHICLE TIPPED OVER AND FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES INTO A DITCH. FOUR PERSONS WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THE INCIDENT. A LAND ROVER MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT STABILIZER BAR WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AK

NHTSA ID
10055355
Incident
Nov 19, 2003
Mileage
54,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

SFCC_08MAR18_16

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The 'Service Required' warning text will not appear on the Instrument Cluster (IC) if a vehicle has reached its service point.

SFCC-14SEP17

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call

LTB00389NAS3

EQUIPMENT

Technical Bulletin: Squeaks & Rattles Kit Availability

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026110
2025020
2024740
2023750
2022950
2021105054.7
2020186058.9
2019384060.5
2018364053.3
2017543045.6
2016500
2006200
2005000
2004290150.8
2003481045.3
2002170043.2
2001Viewing131051.4
2000301049.2
1999173056.1
1998332057.2
1997352056.8
1996653155.1
1995494056.5
1994152053.4
1993000
1992000
1991000
1990000
1989000

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.