2003 Land Rover DISCOVERY II: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
63 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
58,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 55 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 63 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 27.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 13 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Traction Control System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling: 13; Engine: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Traction Control System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 23 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 23; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2002: 1; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 8; 2007: 10; 2008: 12; 2009: 6; 2010: 7; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010308 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER THAT YOU CAN BOTH STEP ON THEM AT THE SAME TIME OR SLIPS FROM BRAKE TO GAS THAT CAUSES A SUDDEN FORWARD SURGE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014227 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
STORED FAULT FOR OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED TRANSDUCER SENSOR FOR TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WON'T MOVE FASTER THAN 2 OR 3 MILES PER HOUR. WON'T SHIFT GEARS. DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC OR MAKING A LEFT TURN IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,981 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014227 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014348 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
SECOND OCCURRENCE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER ONLY THREE DAYS OF DRIVING. LAND ROVER WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS ON 3 APRIL 2003 AND RETURNED TO ME ON 7 APRIL 2003. ON 10 APRIL 2003, AND 100 MILES LATER, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS A BUSY, MAIN THOROUGHFARE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED LEAVING ME STOPPED ACROSS THE ENTIRE MIDDLE OF THE LANE OF FAST APPROACHING ON-COMING TRAFFIC. MY LAND ROVER WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10 APRIL 2003 AND REMAINS THERE TODAY 14 APRIL 2003 WHILE THE CAUSE IS RESEARCHED. VERY DANGEROUS "BROADSIDE" …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,981 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018413 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON 4/10/03 WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY ON A SLICK SLEET COVERED ROAD WHERE THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT OVER MY CHEST LOOSENED AND ALLOWED ME TO FLY FORWARD AND CRUNCH THE CENTER OF MY CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR COMPANY ( NOT THE DEALER) HAS BEEN RUDE, NON-RESPONSIVE, AND EVASIVE. THEY HAVE EVEN REFUSED TO CALL ME BACK, REFUSED TO TELL ME (TODAY IS ONE MONTH SINCE THE ACCIDENT) IF THEY TESTED MY AIR BAG, HAVE NEVER ASKED OR EVER ALLOWED ME TO SHARE DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT, AND HAVE NEVER ALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043413 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
CONTINUAL WATER LEAK AT LEFT UPPER HINGE PILLAR. FIRST OCCURRED 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE HAS CONTINUED DESPITE 4 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054338 · 2004-01-17 (January 17, 2004)
IN AUGUST 2003 I PURCHASED A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY AT BARRET JAGUAR-LAND ROVER IN MCALLEN, TX. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 12K MILES AND HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE SHOP ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. JANUARY 16, 2003 I DISCUSSED MY DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER JOEL GARCIA, AS A RESULT OF THE LACK OF CONCERN I SEEK HELP TO RESOLVE MY PROBLEMS. I FEEL I STRUGGLED TO GET A BRAND NEW VEHICLE OF MY DREAMS IN ORDER TO AVOID PROBLEMS, HOWEVER I FEEL SPENDIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056572 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)
AFTER OWNING MY BRAND NEW 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY FOR ABOUT 5 WEEKS, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN SECONDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AND ODD NOISE. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND BY THE TIME I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BURNT OFF. LAND ROVER HAS REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION. IN ADDITION, EVERYONE THAT I HAVE DEALT WITH AT LAND ROVER HAS BEEN RUDE, INCONSIDERATE AND EVASIVE. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089999 · 2004-08-30 (August 30, 2004)
AFTER DEALERSHIP PERFORMED ABS VALVE COVER BOLT RECALL 04V005000 REPAIRS VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089999 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V005000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V006000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE) PUMP BANJO BOLT LOOSES TORQUE AND ALLOWS FLUID TO LEAK PAST THE JOINT.
Consequence: THE FLUID FROM THE PUMP JOINT CAN IGNITE, RESULTING IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗