2003 Land Rover Discovery Problems
- Complaints
- 48filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles, 39 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 12 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 11 city / 14 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery. The part named most often is engine, with 11 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (10) and brakes (9). 39 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 73,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 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.
- Engine11 23%
- Brakes9 19%
- Engine cooling8 17%
- Electrical system6 13%
- Suspension3 6.3%
- Air bags2 4.2%
- Body and structure2 4.2%
- Tires2 4.2%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “I was driving on the highway when my engine started knocking. I immediately pulled over and then my oil and engine lights came on. I had it towed to the dealership and was informed my oil pump wasn't any good and I needed to replace my engine. After doing some investigating I discovered there was a technical alert sent out to dealerships regarding 2003 Land Rover Discovery ii oil pump failures. I was not notified of this when I purchased my vehicle years ago. Land rover is liable for this and I would like them to replace my engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10462863, filed 2012-06, 124,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I have faithfully followed the passport to service maintenance requirements and the vehicle was last serviced on 1/17/10. Upon delivery, the car was making a whistling sound, which I thought was a belt that needed lubrication. . On 02/25/10, the vehicle was driving rough for about 7 miles when the drive shaft broke.”
NHTSA complaint #10314476, filed 2010-02, 73,000 milesBrakes: “On my way home from picking up my grandchild there was some vibrating on the passenger side of the automobile. Than a loud explosion followed by rubber burning smell and lost of control of car. Managed to pull over car would not rolling had to engage parking brake. Had car towed home. Drive shaft seperated and destroyed transmission pan. Broke pieces off of tansmission. Change rotors and brake and car still will not come to a complete stop without sliding a bit. Abs lights come on every time this happens. Both incidents happen while im driving streets or highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11111344, filed 2018-07, 165,000 milesEngine cooling: “2003 Discovery w/ 36k miles. I was driving off the highway and heard a noise from the engine and than oil light came on. Put in neutral and pulled over. Had it towed to nearest garage. Oil pump had exploded and ripped a whole in engine cover. I saw the oil pump gear in pieces. There is a known technical service bulletin for disco 2003 oil pump failure resulting in new engine replacement as only permanent fix. Currently my car is at Land Rover hinsdale illinois. Will not cover b/c warranty is up 10mos ago. …”
NHTSA complaint #10217915, filed 2008-02, 36,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
21% of the 39 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Series II · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | 2 |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Land Rover Discovery version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Series II 4WD/AWD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 14 | 12 | $6,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 03V133000Apr 14, 2003Vehicle speed control › CablesCovers: Land Rover Discovery 2003
On certain sport utility vehicles, the throttle can stick intermittently during its operation. The exact point of sticking is not predictable and can result in a higher engine speed than expected.
Recall details for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery → · 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10136669Mar 8, 2018Electrical system. The 'Service Required' warning text will not appear on the Instrument Cluster (IC) if a vehicle has reached its service point.
- 10125267Sep 14, 2017Equipment. Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call
- 10214018Nov 19, 2013Equipment. Technical Bulletin: Squeaks & Rattles Kit Availability
Other model years of the Land Rover Discovery
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | — | 5 | — | 21 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 7 | — | 6 | — | 21 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 11 | 76,000 | 6 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 11 | 108,029 | 6 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 19 | 41,508 | 6 | — | 18 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 39 | 53,000 | 4 | — | 18 | 48 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 37 | 14,144 | 4 | — | 18 | 59 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 55 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 18 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 5 | 30,700 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 29 | 76,688 | 0 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 48 | 73,000 | 1 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 17 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 13 | 83,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 30 | 87,000 | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 17 | 175,000 | 2 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 33 | 77,747 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 35 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 65 | 110,000 | 2 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 49 | 79,500 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1994 | 15 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
All Land Rover Discovery model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery have?
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Land Rover Discovery is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 11 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 10.
Has the 2003 Land Rover Discovery been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Land Rover Discovery (Discovery Series II, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 12 mpg combined, 11 city and 14 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $6,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Land Rover Discovery reported?
Among the 39 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 73,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 100,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.