The Lemon IndexAll carsLand RoverDiscovery2003
2002
20062nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,420 in the U.S. in 2003 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 29 complaints in its first 3 years.
29 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Lincoln Aviator 1292003 Infiniti FX35 932003 Lincoln Navigator 174
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 60,000 miles (16,000–97,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 29 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 12E010000 (transmission & drivetrain), 04V006000 (engine) and 04V005000 (brakes) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Land Rover sent dealers 16 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Oil pump failures”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Land Rover's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 29 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 60K miles (16K to 97K km) on the car (24 of all 29 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While pulling into the driveway the accelerator stuck. The driver had to apply excessive force to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The cause of the failure was undetermined.
2003 Land Rover Discovery owner · NHTSA complaint 10038370
More owner reports
Gas and brake pedals are so close to each other that you can both step on them at the same time or slips from brake to gas that causes a sudden forward surge.
NHTSA complaint 10010308
The brake and gas pedals are too close to each other and almost at the same level that you can step both pedals at the same time. This causes the car to surge forward.
NHTSA complaint 10014301
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.8M views · 1999–2004 Land Rover Discovery
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service159K views
How to Service the cooling system on the Land Rover Discovery 2004 to 2009Haynes Manuals · 134K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors51K views
2004 Land Rover Discovery II how to free unstick rear door latchRandy's Laboratory · 27K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical30K views
2000 Land Rover Discovery II - Replacing Alternator, Flashing OdometerThis Week With Cars · 24K views · 2 videos - Cooling system25K views
2004 Land Rover Discovery - Coolant LeakBob Maucher · 20K views · 3 videos
Show 2 more
- Transmission & shifter1K views
How to Add Transmission Fluid on Land Rover Discovery 2 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 ZF 4HP22/24Auto Repair Guys · 1K views - Oil leaks & gaskets561 views
Fixing the Oil Leak on the 2003 Land Rover Discovery 2… Definitely ConcerningRio Penn-Grice · 561 views
Before you buy, watch
How can such a simple repair cause huge problems on this '99 Land Rover Discovery? CAR WIZARD knowsCar Wizard · 350K views
2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II V8 SE7 Review & Test DriveAuto Ad Builder · 183K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Land Rover told dealers about
Land Rover sent dealers 16 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Oil pump failures
- Free play in the seat belt allows the buckle to come in contact with the b post trim when the…
- Handbrake vibration noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2012
JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Engine · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE) PUMP BANJO BOLT LOOSES TORQUE AND ALLOWS FLUID TO LEAK PAST THE JOINT.
- Brakes · recall issued 2004
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 BRA…
Show all 4 recalls
- Speed control · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE THROTTLE CAN STICK INTERMITTENTLY DURING ITS OPERATION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Land Rover Discovery recall, all years · All Land Rover recalls
Every Land Rover Discovery year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (1999–2009, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Land Rover Discovery years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,420 were sold in the U.S. in 2003 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2003 Land Rover Discovery problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (38%), speed control (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery have?
4 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2003 Land Rover Discovery problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 60,000 miles (16,000–97,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 29 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2003 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works