2003 Land Rover Discovery II Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II, and owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)
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 cover retaining bolts can crack due to stresses transmitted by the flexing valve…
Remedy: Dealers will strengthen the ABS modulator assembly valve covers and replace the retaining bolts. Owner notification is exepcted to begin during may 2004. Owners should contact land rover at 1-800-637-6837.
-
Engine and engine cooling
On certain sport utility vehicles, the active cornering enhancement (ace) pump banjo bolt looses torque and allows fluid to leak past the joint.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for leakage. If no leakage is evident, the banjo bolt will be re-tightened. If leakage is evident, the banjo bolt and dowty washers will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to…
63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 8 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 60,144 miles. Complaints peaked in 2008 with 12 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Engine started knocking after i purchased it and i had just got the best recommended oil an spark plugs / wires no money to repair”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 11, 2016 · Engine
“We were driving straight on i 5. In red bluff california headed to lodi ca.the car just started making a noise and then the vehicle started swiirving left to right with control or response from the st”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 7, 2016 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery (Discovery Series II). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 12 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 11 / 14 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 8 cyl, 4.6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Land Rover Discovery II model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Land Rover Discovery II model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 Land Rover Discovery II | 6 | 36 |
| 2000 Land Rover Discovery II | 9 | 40 |
| 2001 Land Rover Discovery II | 5 | 31 |
| 2002 Land Rover Discovery II | 3 | 34 |
| 2003 Land Rover Discovery II | 2 | 63 |
| 2004 Land Rover Discovery II | 1 | 22 |
Checking a specific 2003 Land Rover Discovery II
How do I know if my 2003 Land Rover Discovery II has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Land Rover dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V005000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Land Rover models
- Range Rover961 complaints
- Range Rover Sport639 complaints
- Discovery543 complaints
- Freelander455 complaints
- Range Rover Evoque391 complaints
- Defender309 complaints
- LR2181 complaints
- Discovery Sport178 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.