Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2004 Land Rover Discovery Series IiRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints for the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (8) and engine (7). 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
51
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$6,250est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

51 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2004 – Aug 2025
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  2. Engine7
  3. Engine and engine cooling7
  4. Structure5
  5. Electrical system4
  6. Vehicle speed control4
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Suspension3
  9. Latches/locks/linkages3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Discovery Series Ii model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200251
2003111
200451
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

8 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS MODULATOR VALVE COVER AND BOLTS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND HAD RECENTLY FAILED A THIRD TIME. THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10445202

Engine

7 reports1 fire
“I PURCHASED OUR LAND ROVER 6 MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT IT WITH 105000 MILES ON IT AND FINANCED IT THAT WAY ,ON JANUARY 17 TH MY WIFE GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOWS 186000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER FRAUDULENTLY SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAS BIN TAMPERED WITH AND I NEED TO FIND OUT HOW TO PURSUE HIM? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2015EngineODI 10676283

Engine and engine cooling

7 reports1 fire
“THIS VEHICLES HEADGASKET FAILED WHICH IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH WILL REQUIRE A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE ENGINE. A NON DEALER PRICE IS $8900.00 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS FROM WHAT I AM TOLD AT 90K MILES PLUS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10449140
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
04 —Key specs

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 13, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Discovery Series II
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111412$6,250741
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026Vehicle 1185
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2004 Discovery Series Ii questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 13, 2026.

What are the most common 2004 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii problems?

Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (8), engine (7), engine and engine cooling (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii at 12 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026