2002 Land Rover Discovery II Problems
- Complaints
- 34filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 79,500miles, 26 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 14 complaints (41% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (9) and brakes (7). 26 of the complaints include a mileage, and 15% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 8 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling14 41%
- Brakes7 21%
- Steering3 8.8%
- Air bags1 2.9%
- Electrical system1 2.9%
- Equipment1 2.9%
- Seat belts1 2.9%
- Body and structure1 2.9%
- Tires1 2.9%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While driving our Land Rover it started to overheat. I pulled of to the side of the road while smoke came from under the hood. I had it towed to a repair shop since it would not start after allowing it to cool. The repair shop indicated that the aluminum cams had melted and that they alone could not be repaired. They stated an engine replacement would be necessary. Cost $5600 - $7300. Miles on vehicle at time of incident 87,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10361079, filed 2010-10, 87,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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 milesBrakes: “The antilock brakes, hill descent and traction control lights illuminate on my Land Rover discovery on a regular basis. After research on the internet this is due to the ABS modulator, and is a common problem with this vehicle. However, no recall has been issued as yet with this part.”
NHTSA complaint #10228834, filed 2008-05, 89,000 milesSteering: “I have owned my 2002 Land Rover discovery se for 2 years. About 8-9 months ago, I noticed that at certain speeds, my steering wheel will shake back and forth, or shimmy, sometimes somewhat violently. I have taken it to aristocrat motors, the only service center in my area for land rovers, and have described the problem three times. The first time they said they checked the tires and they were fine. That was it. The second time, I called and asked why it was doing it, and was told by the service manager that that's just what land rovers do and there was nothing they could do about it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130794, filed 2005-08, 36,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
15% of the 26 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 92,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V005000Jan 6, 2004Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCovers: Land Rover Discovery II 1999–2004
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…
- 04V006000Jan 6, 2004Engine and engine coolingCovers: Land Rover Discovery II 2000–2003
On certain sport utility vehicles, the active cornering enhancement (ace) pump banjo bolt looses torque and allows fluid to leak past the joint.
- 02V028000Jan 23, 2002Vehicle speed controlCovers: Land Rover Discovery II 1999–2002
On some sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable could have become kinked during vehicle assembly, resulting in chaffing of the cable. Continued chaffing can lead to breakage of the interior cable strands.
Recall details for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 8 on record; the latest 8 are shown.
- 10125267Sep 14, 2017Equipment. Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call
- 10102683Oct 28, 2014Engine, Fuel system. "issue: reports have been received of engine damage occurring, which is caused by the use of non-approved engine induction / fuel injection cleaning equipment or materials. This includes, but is not…
- 10100968Sep 23, 2013Equipment. "issue: this ssm has been released to address the high number of speaker assemblies returned, many of which are deemed as no fault found. Cause: incorrect diagnosis."
- 10016118Mar 17, 2006Brakes. Shuttle valve switch related anti-lock braking system /traction control /hill descent control warning lamp illumination troubleshooting. All land rover discovery series ii.
- 10011555Mar 17, 2006Electrical system. Troubleshooting anti-lock braking system (abs)/hdc/tc warning lamp illumination. Land rover discovery series ii.
- 10016662Mar 16, 2005Equipment. Revised procedure and time for steering box installation.
- 10016660Mar 16, 2005Equipment. Revised front shock replacement procedure and times-replaces the published information on gtr section 60.30.02.
- 10011531Oct 28, 2004Brakes. Handbrake vibration noise.
Other model years of the Land Rover Discovery II
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 22 | 61,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 63 | 58,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 34 | 79,500 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 31 | 65,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 40 | 62,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 36 | 78,090 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Land Rover Discovery II model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II have?
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 14 complaints (41% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 9.
Has the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II reported?
Among the 26 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,500 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 92,000 miles; 15% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.