2003 Land Rover Discovery II Problems
- Complaints
- 63filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles, 55 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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 2003 Land Rover Discovery II (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe two things: an oil pump failure on the 4.0L V8 that can lead to engine replacement, and repeated illumination of the ABS, traction control and hill descent warning lamps. The oil pump reports cluster from roughly 35,000 to 90,000 miles, while the brake warning lamps appear at a wide range of mileages and are often intermittent at first.
- Engine cooling
Oil pump failure / engine damage from loss of oil pressure
- 29 complaints (46%)
- median 62,550 mi at 6.0 yrs old (27 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $5,000 (median of 7 quotes)
- filed 2006–2016
Owners describe a low oil pressure warning light, a rhythmic tapping or knocking from the engine, and in some cases metal debris or a sudden stall. Several say the dealer told them the recommended repair is a complete engine replacement, and that a manufacturer technical alert covering a VIN range describes the oil pump issue. Complaints frequently mention regular maintenance and relatively low mileage. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 90,000 miles, often after the warranty had expired.
What to check: Ask for oil change records and whether the engine has ever been replaced, and listen for a steady tap at idle; a low oil pressure light or knocking on a test drive warrants a professional inspection before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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 miles“I purchased a 2003 Land Rover discovery series ii hse with 44k miles. In february 2008, I brought the vehicle to Land Rover dealer to have a full inspection of the vehicle. The inspection report noted that vehicle was in great condition with no issues needing to be addressed. But along with the evaluation paper work provided by the Land Rover dealer was a Land Rover technical alert. …”
NHTSA complaint #10323539, filed 2010-04, 61,000 miles - Brakes
ABS, traction control and hill descent warning lamps on
- 15 complaints (24%)
- median 58,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2002–2010
Owners describe the ABS, traction control and hill descent warning lamps lighting together, sometimes constantly and sometimes on and off, often after heavy braking or on downhill grades. Complaints say anti-lock braking and traction control stop working while the lamps are lit, with some noting longer stopping distances, and that diagnosis often points to the ABS modulator or its control unit. A service bulletin addresses troubleshooting of these warning lamps. Reported across a wide range of mileages, from about 30,000 to 90,000 miles, often in wet or snowy conditions.
Recall 04V0050001 related service bulletin
What to check: Turn the ignition on and confirm all three lamps self-test and then go out; ask whether the ABS modulator has been replaced and whether the recall work on the modulator valve cover bolts was completed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10141437, filed 2005-11, 51,000 miles“Hill descent control traction control and the ABS light constantly light up, I just bought my car,(less than 2 months ago) when applied brakes sometimes do not work properly. I went to the dealer where I purchased the car only to be told that there is no warranty on electrical systems, I took the car to a service dealer and I was told that it will cost approximately 2500 dollars! I had other problems and I am very disappointed with my purchase. …”
NHTSA complaint #10169979, filed 2006-10, 68,200 miles
Buying note. Budget for a thorough mechanical inspection before buying: have a shop check oil pressure and listen for engine noise, and confirm the ABS warning lamps behave correctly. Records showing engine or ABS modulator work already completed are worth asking about.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II. 55 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 58,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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 cooling27 43%
- Brakes14 22%
- Other or unknown7 11%
- Engine5 7.9%
- Air bags4 6.3%
- Vehicle speed control2 3.2%
- Equipment1 1.6%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I have a 2003 Land Rover that just passed 50 k and started ticking from the engine. I took it to the dealer and they told me that I had a oil pump failure and I need a new engine. That will cost 8000$. Why do we have to pay that amount of money when the manufacturer has hundreds of these failures.”
NHTSA complaint #10260217, filed 2009-02, 53,715 milesBrakes: “My 2003 Land Rover discovery suffers from a well known problem which causes the ABS and traction control to fail. Hundreds of discoveries suffer from this well known problem with no fix or recall from Land Rover. The problem has been coined three amigos and can be easily found by searching online. I am dependent on my ABS and constantly and consistently am putting my family at risk with this constant and consistent failure. My discovery recently slid off of the road due to loss of ABS during a rain storm. I had 2 children in the vehicle with me.”
NHTSA complaint #10269009, filed 2009-05, 30,000 milesOther or unknown: “I just bought a Land Rover discovery 2 series hse with 50,000 plus miles 2 weeks ago and just found out about the oil pump problem. My discovery is within the affected VIN# and already has the oil light on. So what's the update on this matter?? Any recall from Land Rover????”
NHTSA complaint #10345619, filed 2010-07, 51,100 milesEngine: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10489148, filed 2012-12, 75,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
27% of the 55 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,800 and 78,000 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.
Recall details for the 2003 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. 9 on record; the latest 9 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.
- 10011539Dec 20, 2004Equipment. Incorrect a/c refrigerant label. Land rover discovery series ii.
- 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
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II?
Owners of this model year most often describe two things: an oil pump failure on the 4.0L V8 that can lead to engine replacement, and repeated illumination of the ABS, traction control and hill descent warning lamps. The issues reported most often: Oil pump failure / engine damage from loss of oil pressure; ABS, traction control and hill descent warning lamps on.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II have?
NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 27 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes with 14.
Has the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 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 2003 Land Rover Discovery II reported?
Among the 55 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 58,000 miles and the middle half falls between 47,800 and 78,000 miles; 27% 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.