2003 Land Rover Discovery Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 17%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,505miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Land Rover Discovery, 17% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,505 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“I have 2003 Land Rover, Discovery car that requires constant replacement of the navigation system and its radio/cd player. This is my fifth replacement since the purchase of the car. In addition to this, the engine oil constantly leaks...took it in for repair numerous times but the problem continues. The engine light is always on....took it in a few times and the dealership repair center said it was an electrical sensor problem. The brake and ABS lights would come on and go away on its own. Since march 2010, the brake and ABS lights decided to stay lit. …”
NHTSA complaint #10326500, filed 2010-04, 102,000 miles“Oil pump failure. Land rover issued a technical advisory to all of their dealers in march 2003 warning that due to a manufacturers defect in the engine block dowels being misdrilled where oil pump housing is mounted, that the misalignment causes the oil pump housing to be stressed eventually causing the oil pump to fail. The only effective repair is to replace the engine. I purchased this vehicle in 2006 which had come off lease. …”
NHTSA complaint #10451043, filed 2012-03, 65,010 miles“Conducted an oil change nov 2010 engine failed nov 2010 engine still has full oil 2003 Land Rover Discovery engine failure. Due to oil pump failure. This a known manufacture defect that Land Rover will not repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10366783, filed 2010-11, 72,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Land Rover Discovery. The contact detected a faint burning smell while driving 70 MPH. The vehicle was pulled over and oil suddenly began erupting from the rear of the vehicle onto the rear window. The dealer diagnosed the failure as the oil pump. While replacing the oil pump the dealer discovered that the bearing and crank shaft were ruined, and the engine was destroyed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileage were 50,300.”
NHTSA complaint #10186697, filed 2007-04, 50,300 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 8 | 17% |
| 2002 | 6 | 35% |
| 2001 | 2 | 15% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 3 | 18% |
| 1998 | 2 | 6% |
| 1997 | 5 | 14% |
| 1996 | 5 | 8% |
| 1995 | 8 | 16% |
| 1994 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Land Rover Discovery
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology