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2003 Land Rover Discovery II Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II, most often about the engine (51% of complaints, typically around 62,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Discovery II model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Land Rover Discovery II problems
Engine
32 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Land Rover technical alert ta03-1201 oil pump failures on 2003 Discovery II vehicles may be the result of a manufacturing error. Vins 3a771801 - 3a808362 are the affected vehicles. The alert states the only effective repair is engine replacement. I've been told Land Rover will not pay for this repair. Why?
2003 Land Rover Discovery II experienced sudden oil pump failure which will require an entire engine replacement. This problem was recognized as a manufacturing error per a Land Rover technical alert ta03 1201 issued in 2003 but was not divulged to the public and has not generated a recall. The manufacturer refuses to…
Brakes
12 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, antilock, indicator light.
I have a 2003 Discovery II and the ABS modulator is having problems with three main lights illuminating constantly and they are traction control, ABS and hill descent control, when the lights illuminate in amber color while I'm driving I have no use of traction control and ABS also my brakes don't work well.
Anti lock brake failure; multiple lights illuminte whe heavy braking down hills. All brake pads and rotors are new. Lights on dash extinguish upon restart. Very poor braking almost allowing vehicle to travel into cross traffic. Felt as though anti-lock system stopped functioning with standard braking remaining.…
Transmission
5 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
I have experienced what appears to be the same oil pump symptoms others have complained of. Despite reading "full", my truck seems to have difficulty adequately lubricating. So, some days it's sounded like a tank!!
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.
Air bags
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: frontal.
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…
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 traffic. However, I…
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 5%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…
Doors and locks
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: tailgate.
Rear door latching mechanism failure. I have had problems with the rear door latch sticking and not opening to catch the rear door. When the door is closed it either bounces back because the latch is stuck in a closed position or closes but is not secure. As I was driving up the road and turning onto a two lane…
Rear latch mechanism failure: rear latch failure due to poor material selection causing corrosion and sticking of latch. Rear door does not close properly causing a potential safety hazard when opening during driving. Finally brought to dealership after lubrication did not work, and as usual they indicated it was a…
Traction Control System
3 complaints · 5%The defect is already recorded as service bulletin NHTSA item no. 10016118. In short, there is an issue with the shuttle valves in the ABS system, which result in the ABS/traction control/hill descent warning lamp illumination in the dash, and more importantly may prevent the ABS from activating as needed. Due to the…
2003 Land Rover Discovery II -ABS stops working, impaired braking, traction control stops working, bad ABS modulator connection. Happens spontaneously. Replaced ABS modulator.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Land Rover Discovery II recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: The fluid from the pump joint can ignite, resulting in an under hood fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the active cornering enhancement (ace) pump banjo bolt looses torque and allows fluid to leak past the joint.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (32 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); brakes (12 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles); transmission (5 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 6, 2004 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Land Rover Discovery II?
- It is the most complained-about Discovery II model year since 2000, with 63 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.