VehicleVerdict

2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

23

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Discovery Ii years?

Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted77 complaints1999: 44 complaints2000: 56 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 41 complaints2003: 77 complaints2004: 23 complaints
Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery Ii years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine835%
Brakes522%
Steering29%
Electrical System29%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%
Transmission14%
Latches & Locks14%
Lighting14%
Speed Control14%

Does the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II WITH 44K MILES, UNDER WARRANTY, AND RECENTLY SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP, SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE UNOCCUPIED, AND TURNED OFF, TO THE POINT OF COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE & FRONT END, DID NOT DESTROY INTERIOR. EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT OTHERS WERE NOT HURT, OR NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 27, 2008 · fire

“VEHICLE IN MOTION TRAVELING AT APPROX 5-7 MPH. ZIP CODE 06615 WHEN 3 ABS SENSOR LIGHTS WENT ON 1. HILL DESCENT 2. ABS 3.TRACTION CONTROL. RECENT ABS SHUTTLE SWITCH REPLACED FOR SAME REPORTED SENSOR LIGHTS FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS NOT ON AN INCLINE AND AT AN INTERSECTION AND LIGHT. AFTER PASSING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 2, 2016 · crash

“MY BRAND NEW 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SE7 HAS LESS THAN A THOUSAND MILES BUT HAS ALREADY PAID 3 VISITS TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT 4 WARNING LIGHTS KEEP TURNING ON AND STAYING ON WHEN THE CAR IS IN OPERATION. THESE 4 WARNING LIGHTS ARE: BRAKES, ABS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 23, 2004

“IN LESS THAN 11,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 7 MONTHS, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (IN ADDITION TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE). SEE BELOW FOR DETAILED ACCOUNT OF SERVICE VISITS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. MILESDATEINVOICEDEALERSHIPCOMPLAINTSERVICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 1, 2004

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 8, 2013

2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii — common questions

Is the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 Discovery Ii problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (8 complaints), brakes (5 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Ii under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.