MotorDeets

2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii: 2 recalls, 63 owner complaints.

2vehicle recalls
63owner complaints
5mention a crash
–best combined mpg
2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii
Photo: DieselFordMondeo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #04V006000 · 2004 · 5,264 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles, the active cornering enhancement (ace) pump banjo bolt looses torque and allows fluid to leak past the joint.

Why it matters: The fluid from the pump joint can ignite, resulting in an under hood fire.

The fix: 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 begin during May 2004. Owners should contact Land Rover at 1-800-637-6837.

Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #04V005000 · 2004 · 100,174 vehicles

What's wrong: 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 covers.

Why it matters: This can produce an unexpected increase in stopping distance, with the potential for total loss of service braking function, which could result in a crash.

The fix: 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.

1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Transmission & drivetrain Equipment recall #12E010000 · 2012 · 180 vehicles

What's wrong: Jaguar Land Rover north america, Inc. (Land Rover) is recalling certain rear driveshaft couplings, Land Rover branded part number tvf100010, manufactured from April 2011 through November 2011, sold for use as service parts for certain model year 1995-1999 discovery, 1999-2004 discovery II, and 1995 range rover classic vehicles. Some of the rear driveshaft couplings May not have been manufactured to the required…

Why it matters: If this increased vibration warning sign is ignored, catastrophic failure of the drive coupling can occur. The driveshaft May detach from the vehicle while in motion resulting in loss of drive and loss of transmission park functionality, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash and/or injury.

The fix: Land rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected rear driveshaft couplers free of charge. The safety recall began on May 4, 2012.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Engine & cooling27
Brakes (hydraulic)11
Transmission & drivetrain5
Engine5
Airbags4
Other / unknown3
Latches & locks3
Traction Control System3

What owners describe

The 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii has 63 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 6 Discovery Ii model years for complaints (1.7× the average Discovery Ii year). Complaints peaked in 2008 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 58,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (34 complaints, 3 recalls), 2004 (22 complaints, 1 recalls).

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii manual

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FAQ

Does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems?

Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (27), brakes (hydraulic) (11), transmission & drivetrain (5).

Where can I get a 2003 Land Rover Discovery Ii repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Discovery Ii years

199920002001200220032004