2002 Land Rover Discovery 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, 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
- Engine630.0%
- Powertrain (other)420.0%
- Visibility210.0%
- Driver assistance210.0%
- Electrical15.0%
- Brakes15.0%
- Body & structure15.0%
- Steering15.0%
- Suspension15.0%
- Airbags15.0%
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
OIL LEAK ON ENGINE, OIL PAN LEAK, WATER PUMP LEAK, NO POWER ON ENGINE IT LOST THE POWER FROM OVER HEATING, MECHANIC WANTS TO REPLACE ENGINE I WAS QUOTED 3700 DOLLARS. HOW CAN I KNOW IF THIS ENGINE WAS A DEFECT. *TR
OF ALL THE PERSONAL VEHICLES I'VE EVER OWNED, I'VE NEVER HAD ONE THAT CAUSES ME TO DRIVE LIKE I WAS ON "PINS & NEEDLES". I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS LET GO, WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. AFTER INVESTIGATING WITH DEALER INQUIRIES AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH LAND ROVER V8 ALUMINUM ENGINES.THE DEALERSHIP(S) I SPOKE WITH ACTUALLY AGREED WITH MY CONCERNS BUT SAID "TALKING TO LAND ROVER IS LIKE TALKING TO A DOG, THEY HEAR YOU BUT WON'T DO A THING ABOUT IT". I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THIS VEHICLE WAS HIGH MILEAGE OR WAS REALLY ABUSED. SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THESE PEOPLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CATASTROPHIC INJURIES SUSTAINED!!!! LOSS OF LIFE ALMOST OCCURRED! I WAS DRIVING MY LAND ROVER ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE BRAKE DRUM FELL APART WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PARTS FROM THE BRAKE DRUM PIERCED THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAME IN THROUGH THE DRIVER SEAT I WAS SITTING IN AND CAUSE ME MAJOR INTERNAL INJURIES THAT LED TO ME BEING HOSPITALIZED FOR 52 DAYS. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN OR THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THE FAILURE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES THAT HELP PEOPLE BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. THE PICTURES OF THE CAR PARTS THAT WERE REMOVED FROM MY ABDOMINAL AREA AND PICTURES OF THE SEAT I WAS SITTING ON. I FILED A LAW SUIT AND IT SETTLED OUT OF COURT SO THIS IS THE BEST WAY I COULD THINK OF TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THE DANGER THESE VEHICLES POSSES. *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS SHREDDED AND DISCONNECTED AND THE THROTTLE WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE CONTACT CONNECTED THE CABLE BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFECTIVE SUNROOF SUNROOF LEAKS INTO OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT AT WINDSHIELD POSTS BOTH SIDES WHICH IN TURN RUNS DOWN INTO ELECTRICAL FUSES CAUSING TICKING NOISES AND SHORTS. *NM
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS SHREDDED AND DISCONNECTED AND THE THROTTLE WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE CONTACT CONNECTED THE CABLE BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THREE TIMES NOW OUR LANDROVER DISCOVERY (2002) HAS ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENT. ONCE PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY NEARLY CRASHING INTO A PERSON, ANOTHER TIME FROM A DEAD STOP AND I HAD TO SWERVE NOT TO HIT A HOUSE, AND NOW A THIRD TIME WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN A STREET -- ALL OF A SUDDEN OUR CAR ACCELERATED AND NEARLY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. *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
OIL LEAK ON ENGINE, OIL PAN LEAK, WATER PUMP LEAK, NO POWER ON ENGINE IT LOST THE POWER FROM OVER HEATING, MECHANIC WANTS TO REPLACE ENGINE I WAS QUOTED 3700 DOLLARS. HOW CAN I KNOW IF THIS ENGINE WAS A DEFECT. *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
CATASTROPHIC INJURIES SUSTAINED!!!! LOSS OF LIFE ALMOST OCCURRED! I WAS DRIVING MY LAND ROVER ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE BRAKE DRUM FELL APART WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PARTS FROM THE BRAKE DRUM PIERCED THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAME IN THROUGH THE DRIVER SEAT I WAS SITTING IN AND CAUSE ME MAJOR INTERNAL INJURIES THAT LED TO ME BEING HOSPITALIZED FOR 52 DAYS. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN OR THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THE FAILURE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES THAT HELP PEOPLE BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. THE PICTURES OF THE CAR PARTS THAT WERE REMOVED FROM MY ABDOMINAL AREA AND PICTURES OF THE SEAT I WAS SITTING ON. I FILED A LAW SUIT AND IT SETTLED OUT OF COURT SO THIS IS THE BEST WAY I COULD THINK OF TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THE DANGER THESE VEHICLES POSSES. *BF
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
WHILE DRIVING THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SERVICED. THE DEALERSHIP ARE REPLACING THE HARNESS PER CONSUMER. TS
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE SPEED WAS ABOVE 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SHAFT WAS REPLACED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHEN THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME AND THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WOULD NOT LET THE VEHICLE LEAVE THE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,600. UPDATED 2/25/13 *CN UPDATED 03/07/2013 *JS
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 70 MPH VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER FROM THREE TO SEVEN TIMES . UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER SUSTAINED THREE SPINE AND PELVIC FRACTURES, AND NEEDED MASSIVE SURGERY TO THE RIGHT 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 .