Land Rover Discovery II Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 226 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Land Rover Discovery II (1999–2004) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 63. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (65 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Discovery II years →
All Discovery II model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 22 | 61,000 | 1 | 11 | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 63 | 58,000 | 2 | 9 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 34 | 79,500 | 3 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 31 | 65,000 | 5 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 40 | 62,000 | 9 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 36 | 78,090 | 6 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes65 30%
- Engine cooling58 26%
- Transmission and drivetrain35 16%
- Vehicle speed control15 6.8%
- Air bags13 5.9%
- Electrical system12 5.5%
- Other or unknown11 5.0%
- Engine10 4.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1999: “My 1999 Land Rover discovery 2 developed a fuel leak on the top of the fuel pump close to the outlet where the fuel flow makes a 90 degree turn before exiting the fuel pump. I noticed the smell of fuel (gasoline ) around the rear of the vehicle while parked. But I had recently filled up the tank and thought it was just some spillage from the fill up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10916282, filed 2016-10, 120,000 miles2003: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10577206, filed 2014-04, 85,000 miles2002: “While driving on the highway at 55 MPH, the driveshaft came apart without warning and I was almost got in an accident which I was able to avoid. I contacted the dealership in alexandria, va about the problem and I was told that it was most common in Land Rover and range rover. It should be recalled because it would cause severe accidents if there is no warning beforehand.”
NHTSA complaint #10446863, filed 2012-02, 99,168 milesOther Land Rover models
960 complaintsLand Rover Range Rover Sport
640 complaintsLand Rover Discovery
543 complaintsLand Rover Freelander
451 complaintsLand Rover Range Rover Evoque
393 complaintsLand Rover Defender
309 complaintsLand Rover LR2
181 complaintsLand Rover LR3
172 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology