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2003 Land Rover Discovery II problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II is engine and cooling, typically around 62,550 miles. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical Discovery II model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Year score
53/100
Owner complaints
63
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
13
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2003 Land Rover Discovery II problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    32
  • Brakes
    14
  • Transmission
    5
  • Airbags
    4
  • Driver assistance
    4
  • Locks
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II

Engine failure 15ABS 12Knocking 6

Recalls 2

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported January 6, 2004 · 100,174 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 04V005000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported January 6, 2004 · 5,264 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles, the active cornering enhancement (ace) pump banjo bolt looses torque and allows fluid to leak past the joint.
Risk
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.

Recall number 04V006000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II 13

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 13 bulletins for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II

What 2003 Land Rover Discovery II owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 11, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 158,510 miles · AZ

Engine started knocking after I purchased it and I had just got the best recommended oil an spark plugs / wires no money to repair

Filed Jul 7, 2016 · Airbags, Steering · CA · 2 injuries

We were driving straight on I 5. In red bluff california headed to lodi ca.the car just started making a noise and then the vehicle started swiirving left to right with control or response from the steering wheell we hit going 65mph.and we were smashed into a guard rail head on. Then spun out all over the freeway. Car is totaled and no air bags deployed.happened at 1435 in the afternoon. Dry sunny conditions , and we had a 11 month old in the car behind me on passenger side. And a 4 yr old behind my wife whom was driving. Scary , my goal is to prevent this from happening to other family's like mine. My wife and I were lucky to only walk away injured. And kids tramitized but alive.. Thank god. But another family might not be so lucky unless this is addressed.

Filed Dec 25, 2015 · Airbags · NY

The steering air bag blowout for nothing, the vehicle was stationary the motor was working I'm whasing the land rover and that happened, I'm confuse.

Filed Apr 3, 2014 · Engine · 85,000 miles · TX

My engine started making a knocking sound and then a sound similar to metal scratching metal. I had a master mechanic look at the engine and had several part replaced 1500.00 worth to be exact and still the sound occurs. I contacted land rover and because my vehicle is used and over the warranty there was nothing they could do but suggest a new engine. I have researched and it appears this is a known issue and has been acknowledge by land rover that the land rover discovery 2003 the oil pump was faulty, however have denied any kind of solution to the problem to multiple customers other than suggesting a new engine. I don't understand as a consumer we can be expected to be held responsible for repairs on a vehicle which the manufacture knowing and willingly manufacture the a vehicle with faulty equipment. Although I understand there is no safety risk to this faulty equipment its still wrong to produce a technical with faulty equipment. I am other customers are hoping by contacting the federal safety agency something will be done.

Filed Feb 4, 2014 · Engine · 55,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 land rover discovery. The contact stated while driving the vehicle would suddenly stall. The failure was diagnosed by the dealer who confirmed that the engine oil pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Jan 7, 2013 · Engine · 150,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 land rover discovery ii. The contact stated that the oil pump failed, causing the engine to seize and fail. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that because the oil pump failed, the engine would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Dec 18, 2012 · Engine · 75,000 miles · TX

I have experienced the same online issue with my land rover discovery ii, my VIN is not the same however the same exact issues. "2003 discovery series ii oil pump failure" I have a load knocking noise coming from my engine, the vehicle is still running, and oil changes, treatments etc cannot stop the knock. Not getting any warning lights of low pressure however it is at the land rover dealership of fort worth now and they confirmed the same. This a $12,000 fix for an issue that should have been a recall or notice to the public. I have over 300 postings on line about the same issues but all in 60 mins of looking and sure there are thousands more. I'm not sure how to search for recalls over in great britain being that someone told me that?s where my vehicle was imported from with the salty VIN number but any direction would be appreciated.

Filed Feb 19, 2012 · Engine · 89,000 miles · TX

While driving low mileage 2003 discovery ii se7, engine began to knock in upper engine area on driver side. Pulled into local repair shop immediately and was told it was not a rod as the noise dissipates when idled above 1000 RPM. Took it to a local land rover shop and was told it was either a bad oil pump or the sleeve in the cylinder at the back of the engine has come loose and is knocking up against the head gasket. Technician privately indicated both are known issues and that a new engine is required in either case and that lr north america knows of the issues and has refused to assist owners or issue a recall. Cost of new engine is between $8,000 and 12,000 depending on who you talk with. Since the only real issue so far is the noise factor (sounds like a diesel while idling), technician further advised it would be best to keep driving the lr until it completely failed as the price of new engine would not be more and I should get as much from the original as possible. Request the federal safety agency lobby on behalf of owners to get this issue resolved between owners and lrna. Issues are obvious manufacturing defects and lr should be held accountable for the problem and offer some type solution to the consumer. The federal safety agency should issue some sort of fine if possible to force lr to make good on their product.

Filed Jul 4, 2011 · Engine · 57,000 miles · NJ

I own a 2003 land rover discovery se. This vehicle only has 57,000 miles and has been very well maintained. Recently I noticed a tap coming from the engine. I immediately took it over to the local land rover dealer. After a couple of days, I was informed that it needed a new engine in order to fix this problem, at a cost of $14,000. What a joke! There is a widespread problem with these trucks maintaining adequate oil pressure in order to keep them running properly. Once again the consumer gets the shaft. I am now stuck, along with a lot of other lr owners, faced with a huge repair bill. This matter should have been looked into as a possible recall.

Filed Nov 23, 2010 · Acceleration · 93,235 miles · CO

While driving our 2003 land rover discovery ii hse today, the throttle suddenly and unexpectedly stuck in the full position. My wife was able to avoid traffic, control the vehicle and get the transmission in neutral. The vehicle was towed to a land rover dealer, and they determined that the throttle butterfly valve had stuck. I researched this and came up with the federal safety agency case number 03v133000 which deal with this exact issue for this model year vehicle. The dealer claims there are no outstanding recalls for my vehicle and refused to replace the part under this issue. I find it highly coincidental that I am experiencing the exact issue described in the federal safety agency case. In reviewing the case information there were other reports outside of the date range that land rover claims apply to this defect. I contacted the land rover corporate office and they said they were reviewing the case, but that the recall did not apply to my vehicle since the recalls are VIN specific. The service representative did admit that this problem does occur on other vehicles of this type. There was no warning of this failure and it could have resulted in a serious accident.

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Questions about the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II

Is the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II reliable?

Owners have filed 63 complaints about the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II, 1.9 times a typical Discovery II model year.

What is the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II year score?

The 2003 Land Rover Discovery II scores 53 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Land Rover Discovery II: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II?

Engine and cooling, with 32 complaints, typically around 62,550 miles. Next is brakes (14).

How many recalls does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II have?

2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and engine and engine cooling.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V006000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Land Rover Discovery II have bad engine?

The Land Rover Discovery II model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (32 complaints) and 2002 (14 complaints).

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