2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE THROTTLE CAN STICK INTERMITTENTLY DURING ITS OPERATION. THE EXACT POINT OF STICKING IS NOT PREDICTABLE AND CAN RESULT IN A HIGHER ENGINE SPEED THAN EXPECTED.
What could happen: 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 BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO REST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-201-818-8500.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 DISCOVERY SERIES II.
- Book a repair at any authorized Land Rover dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V133000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-201-818-8500.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
Summary: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE THROTTLE CAN STICK INTERMITTENTLY DURING ITS OPERATION. THE EXACT POINT OF STICKING IS NOT PREDICTABLE AND CAN RESULT IN A HIGHER ENGINE SPEED THAN EXPECTED.
Consequence: 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 BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO REST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-201-818-8500.
Notes: LAND ROVER RECALL NO. D117/B150. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2003 Land Rover Discovery Series Ii owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (51), Brakes (24), Hydraulic (18), Transmission / drivetrain (15), Vehicle Speed Control (10).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/26/2020 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER N/A. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BOUGHT FOUR TIRES THAT TURNED OUT TO BE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. THE TIRES WERE FEDERAL TIRES, TIRE SIZE 255/45/R20, AND NO DOT GIVEN. THE TIRES WERE PROVIDING SUCH A ROUGH AND BOUNCY RIDE THAT TWO SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE BUSTED IN THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE TIR…
01/30/2020 · Engine
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…
08/21/2018 · Airbags · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, LEFT THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A CULVERT AND A HIGHWAY SIGN. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. T…
07/14/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP MY GRANDCHILD THERE WAS SOME VIBRATING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THAN A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY RUBBER BURNING SMELL AND LOST OF CONTROL OF CAR. MANAGED TO PULL OVER CAR WOULD NOT ROLLING HAD TO ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE. HAD CAR TOWED HOME. DRIVE SHAFT SEPERATED AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION PAN. BROKE PIECES OFF OF…
03/09/2018 · Airbags · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, IT CRASHED INTO A CURB, DROVE OVER THE SIDEWALK, AND INTO THE STREET. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEAL…
12/11/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AFTER I PURCHASED IT AND I HAD JUST GOT THE BEST RECOMMENDED OIL AN SPARK PLUGS / WIRES NO MONEY TO REPAIR
11/16/2016 · Body / structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME BY THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE USED TO TOW ANOTHER VEHICLE OR TRAILER. THE VEHICLE…
07/07/2016 · Steering
WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON I 5. IN RED BLUFF CALIFORNIA HEADED TO LODI CA.THE CAR JUST STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SWIIRVING LEFT TO RIGHT WITH CONTROL OR RESPONSE FROM THE STEERING WHEELL WE HIT GOING 65MPH.AND WE WERE SMASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL HEAD ON. THEN SPUN OUT ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. CAR IS TOTALED AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.HA…