VehicleVerdict

2001 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2001 Land Rover Discovery Ii is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 38 owner complaints run below the Discovery Ii median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (9), transmission (6), and speed control (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

38

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Discovery Ii years?

Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted77 complaints1999: 44 complaints2000: 56 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 41 complaints2003: 77 complaints2004: 23 complaints
Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery Ii years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes924%
Speed Control616%
Transmission616%
Engine513%
Electrical System411%
Visibility & Wipers25%
Steering25%
Suspension13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Latches & Locks13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2001 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12E010000TransmissionMarch 15, 2012 · 180 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

04V005000BrakesJanuary 6, 2004 · 100,174 units

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.

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.

04V006000EngineJanuary 6, 2004 · 5,264 units

Defect

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.

02V028000Speed ControlJanuary 23, 2002 · 64,925 units

Defect

ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE COULD HAVE BECOME KINKED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN CHAFFING OF THE CABLE. CONTINUED CHAFFING CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE INTERIOR CABLE STRANDS.

Consequence

BREAKAGE OF THE CABLE STRANDS CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE BEING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DAMAGED CABLES WHERE NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-301-731-9040.

02V022000BrakesJanuary 22, 2002 · 55,505 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR CAN CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THE SENSOR SIGNAL, RESULTING IN INAPPROPRIATE ABS ACTIVATION.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE THAT IS UNANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-301-731-9040.

01V229001OtherJuly 6, 2001 · 21 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH WARN INDUSTRIES' WINCH KITS. A POWER INTERRUPT SOLENOID, POSSIBLY INCLUDED IN THE WINCH ASSEMBLY, CAN DEVELOP AN ELECTRICAL LEAK PATH TO GROUND.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO THE SOLENOID EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE HEAT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CALL OWNERS TO ARRANGE FOR AN INSPECTION TIME TO DETERMINE IF A DEFECTIVE POWER INTERRUPT SOLENOID WAS INSTALLED. IF IT WAS, THE SOLENOID WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-301-731-9040.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING MY LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II ON A PARKING LOT AND WAS ABOUT TO PARK, AS I TURNED THE WHEEL TO GET TO THE PARKING SPACE I APPLIED THE BRAKE, WHICH BECAME HARD AS A ROCK AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SLOW DOWN, I CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARKING SPACE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 6, 2007 · crash

“OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND BEGAN ACCELERATING. VEHICLE WENT ACROSS A DITCH, AND LANDED UP SIDE DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ALSO, UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2002 CONCERNING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 16, 2005 · crash

“CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE, TOOK KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED A RETAINING WALL WITHOUT ANYONE BEING IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTER TRANSMISSION SHIFT LOCK SYSTEM. PH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 15, 2002 · crash

“2001 LAND ROVER SERIES II DISCOVERY LEAKED FLUID WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. *TS THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V-006 DUE TO VIN. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE) PUMP BANJO BOLT WHICH BECAME LOOSE AND ALLOWED FLUID TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 2003

“TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY INTO HIS DRIVEWAY THE HILL DESCENT CONTROL, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON. HE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER ON 01/16/07 AND THEY STATED THE ABS MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ODOMETER READING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 12, 2007

2001 Land Rover Discovery Ii — common questions

Is the 2001 Land Rover Discovery Ii reliable?

It is close to typical for the Discovery Ii: 38 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2001 Discovery Ii problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (9 complaints), transmission (6 complaints), speed control (6 complaints).

Does the 2001 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Land Rover Discovery Ii. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Land Rover Discovery Ii years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Discovery Ii years to avoid are 2003. The cleanest record among Discovery Ii years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.