VehicleVerdict

2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 77 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Discovery Ii year — the 2003 model ranks #1 of 6 Discovery Ii years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 21 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 42% of all reports (32 of 77), far ahead of brakes at 15.

77

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

21

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Discovery Ii years?

Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted77 complaints1999: 44 complaints2000: 56 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 41 complaints2003: 77 complaints2004: 23 complaints
Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery Ii years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3242%
Brakes1519%
Transmission56%
Airbags45%
Electrical System45%
Other45%
Latches & Locks34%
Speed Control34%
Seat Belts11%
Seats11%
Fuel System11%
Steering11%
Body & Structure11%
Child Seat11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

3 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 13, 2004 · fire

“THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS CAN BE HIT AT THE SAME VERY EASILY CAUSING THE CAR TO SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALER KNOWS IT BUT WILL NOT STAND BY THE CAR WHEN I WANTED TO RETURN IT. DT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 26, 2002 · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 2, 2003

“ON MARCH 25, 2006 MY FAMILY WAS ON I-75 IN OUR 2003 DISCOVERY SE. WE WERE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND A PERSON SEVERAL CARS AHEAD MADE A SUDDEN LANE CHANGE CUTTING OFF A DRIVER AHEAD OF IN OUR LANE. HE BRAKES SUDDENLY. THE TRUCK FOLLOWING STRUCK HIM. I WAS ALREADY SLOWING DOWN DUE TO THE HEAVY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 25, 2006 · crash · fire

“1. APPLIED THE BRAKES. 2. EVERY TIME I APPLY BRAKES AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED 3. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WHICH CAN BE DONE... APPARENTLY ALL SUCH MODELS HAVE THIS ISSUE, WHICH GENERATES THE QUESTION AS TO WHY LAND ROVER HAS NOT BEEN MADE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, MUCH LIKE WHAT WOULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 10, 2009 · crash

2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii — common questions

Is the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 77 complaints put the 2003 model at #1 of 6 Discovery Ii years. It is one of the Discovery Ii years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Discovery Ii problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (32 complaints), brakes (15 complaints), transmission (5 complaints).

Does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 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.