Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series IiRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 111 owner complaints for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (35) and service brakes, hydraulic (18). The EPA rates it 12 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
12mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
111
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$6,250est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
111 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2002 – Aug 2020
- Engine and engine cooling35
- Service brakes, hydraulic18
- Engine16
- Power train15
- Vehicle speed control10
- Air bags6
- Electrical system6
- Suspension3
- Structure3
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 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
35 reports1 fire
“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. I HAD IT SERVICED AT LAND ROVER DEALER IN SOUTHAMPTON NY AND THEY NEVER ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THAT MY VEHICLE FELL WITHIN THE VIN RANGE REFERRED TO IN THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY. OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE ARE OVER 30,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY ON THE ROAD WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL AND WHY DOES LR NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINES? *TR”
Service brakes, hydraulic
18 reports5 crashes
“PURCHASED LAND ROVER DISCOVERY LESS THEN A MONTH AGO, SINCE THEN THE DASH BOARD LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE WITH THE NUMBER OF WARNING LIGHTS THAT ARE ON. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ABS MODULATOR WAS OUT AND IT WOULD $3500.00 JUST FOR THE PART, EVEN THOUGH I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND A REPAIR KIT FOR UNDER A $100. HOWEVER, THE MOST RECENT WARNING LIGHT IS THE OIL LIGHT AND THE CAR OVER HEATS IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, AND KNOCKS AND BINGS. AFTER READING THE SEVERAL POST ON THIS WEB SIGHT, I TOO AM NOW PART OF A LONG LIST OF CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE MAJOR ISSUES WITH LAND ROVER. WHAT A MISTAKE IT WAS. *TR”
Engine
16 reports2 fires
“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 ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (LAND ROVER NORTH ATLANTA 1505 MANSELL RD, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009, (770) 587-2000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000. *JS”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 4.6L 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 12, 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, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 14 | 12 | $6,250 | 741 |
- 12mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 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 2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 4729
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.
2003 Discovery Series Ii questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 12, 2026.
What are the most common 2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii problems?
Owners filed 111 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (35), service brakes, hydraulic (18), engine (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii at 12 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026