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2003 Land Rover DiscoveryProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 48 owner complaints about the 2003 Land Rover Discovery, most often about the engine. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 Land Rover Discovery
45
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Discovery median · #3 of 17 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints4812 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage109kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 26, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Land Rover Discovery has problems

48 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine112
Power train101
Engine and engine cooling80
Vehicle speed control84
Service brakes, hydraulic72
Electrical system63
Suspension30
Air bags22
Service brakes21
8 other systems101

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2003 Land Rover Discovery recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cables

Recall 03V-133 · Apr 14, 2003 · 3,291 vehicles

Risk. IN THE CASE WHERE A THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER A HIGH DEGREE OF ENGINE THROTTLE APPLICATION, THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Land Rover.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Discovery year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Discovery median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'06'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Discovery owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE BOSCHE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE COOLANT TO BOIL IN THE MAIN CYLINDER HEAD AND MIX WITH THE OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS QUOTED A COST OF $7,000 FOR THE…
Complaint 11302986 · Jan 30, 2020 · 144,000 miles
2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II OIL PUMP FAILURE: WE BOUGHT OURS PREVIOUSLY-OWNED FROM A LAND ROVER DEALER. NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT THE DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS 4.6 L ENGINE OR THE ATTACHED MARCH 14, 2003 TECHNICAL ALERT. IN SPITE OF REGULAR SERVICE, THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF THIS…
Complaint 10852355 · Mar 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VIN WAS…
Complaint 10714947 · May 6, 2015 · 96,000 miles

Own a 2003 Discovery?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.