VehicleVerdict

2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii sits mid-pack among Discovery Ii years: 41 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 43, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (37% of the total).

41

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Discovery Ii years?

Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted77 complaints1999: 44 complaints2000: 56 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 41 complaints2003: 77 complaints2004: 23 complaints
Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery Ii years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1537%
Transmission922%
Brakes717%
Steering410%
Body & Structure12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Seat Belts12%
Electrical System12%
Other12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

4 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“PROBLEMS WITH 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY OVER HEATING. *MR THE CONSUMER VIEWED SMOKE COMING FORM THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER VIEWED AND SAW A YELLOW LIGHT THAT LOOKED LIKE 2 CIRCLES JOINED WITH A LINE 0-0. THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. *SC THE CONSUMER REMEMBERED RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER WHICH SOUNDED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2004 · fire

“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE 2002 LANDROVER DISCOVERY II HILL DESCENT FEATURE THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM CAME OFF IN THE CONSUMER'S HAND. *NM THE VEHICLE HAD GONE OUT OF CONTROL WHILE GOING DOWN HILL. *SC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 2005 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. ALL THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 04V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES), HOWEVER; THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 16, 2007

“TRAVELING SOUTH OF COLUMBUS, OH ON INTERSTATE, GOING BETWEEN 55-65 MPH. CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, SUDDEN LOUD NOISE (AS IF TIRE BLEW OR WE HIT AN OBJECT) AND WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS BLACK SMOKE BILLOWED UP AND INTO THE CAR. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND EXITED. UPON INSPECTION THE TIRES WERE FINE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 3, 2008 · fire

“POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED A FEW MONTH AGO AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY REPLACED IT IN MAY 07 W/A GENERIC PUMP. 2 WEEKS LATER IT FAILED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME RUINED THE RESERVOIR AND RADIATOR, SO THOSE ITEMS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE DEALER REPLACED W/ A LR PSPUMP, BUT IT FAILED. SO THEY REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 25, 2007

2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii — common questions

Is the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii reliable?

It is close to typical for the Discovery Ii: 41 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 Discovery Ii problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (15 complaints), transmission (9 complaints), brakes (7 complaints).

Does the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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.