Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2002 Land Rover Discovery Series IiRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (20) and power train (13). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
13mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
51
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$5,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
51 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2002 – Sep 2017
- Engine and engine cooling20
- Power train13
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Steering4
- Service brakes2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Electrical system2
- Structure2
- Visibility2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
20 reports1 crash4 fires
“OIL LEAK ON ENGINE, OIL PAN LEAK, WATER PUMP LEAK, NO POWER ON ENGINE IT LOST THE POWER FROM OVER HEATING, MECHANIC WANTS TO REPLACE ENGINE I WAS QUOTED 3700 DOLLARS. HOW CAN I KNOW IF THIS ENGINE WAS A DEFECT. *TR”
Power train
13 reports2 crashes1 fire
“CATASTROPHIC INJURIES SUSTAINED!!!! LOSS OF LIFE ALMOST OCCURRED! I WAS DRIVING MY LAND ROVER ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE BRAKE DRUM FELL APART WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PARTS FROM THE BRAKE DRUM PIERCED THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAME IN THROUGH THE DRIVER SEAT I WAS SITTING IN AND CAUSE ME MAJOR INTERNAL INJURIES THAT LED TO ME BEING HOSPITALIZED FOR 52 DAYS. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN OR THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THE FAILURE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES THAT HELP PEOPLE BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. THE PICTURES OF THE CAR PARTS THAT WERE REMOVED FROM MY ABDOMINAL AREA AND PICTURES OF THE SEAT I WAS SITTING ON. I FILED A LAW SUIT AND IT SETTLED OUT OF COURT SO THIS IS THE BEST WAY I COULD THINK OF TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THE DANGER THESE VEHICLES POSSES. *BF”
Service brakes, hydraulic
5 reports1 crash
“THE ANTILOCK BRAKES, HILL DESCENT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON MY LAND ROVER DISCOVERY ON A REGULAR BASIS. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THIS IS DUE TO THE ABS MODULATOR, AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AS YET WITH THIS PART. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 4.0L 8-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Series II Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,950 | 684 |
- 13mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 4627
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2002 Discovery Series Ii questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.
What are the most common 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii problems?
Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (20), power train (13), service brakes, hydraulic (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026