2001 Land Rover Discovery recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL CAN LEAD TO VARIOUS FAILURE MODES OF THE TRANSMISSION. ONE OF THESE FAILURE MODELS RESULTS IN INCORRECT OPERATION OF THE PARK LOCK FUNCTION THAT COULD ALLOW A VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF PARKED WITHOUT THE HANDBRAKE PROPERLY SET.
What could happen: UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE PARK LOCK FUNCTION; REPOSITION THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BREATHER TUBE; AND TEST THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FLUSH IF NECESSARY.
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 2001 DISCOVERY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Land Rover dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V377000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL CAN LEAD TO VARIOUS FAILURE MODES OF THE TRANSMISSION. ONE OF THESE FAILURE MODELS RESULTS IN INCORRECT OPERATION OF THE PARK LOCK FUNCTION THAT COULD ALLOW A VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF PARKED WITHOUT THE HANDBRAKE PROPERLY SET.
Consequence: UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE PARK LOCK FUNCTION; REPOSITION THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BREATHER TUBE; AND TEST THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FLUSH IF NECESSARY.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 4, 2001. 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 1-800-637-6837. 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
- 2001 Land Rover Discovery owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (4), Engine (3), Brakes (3), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/28/2016 · Engine · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN…
03/18/2015 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE PROPERLY WHILE THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND DOWN HILL SENSOR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE…
01/06/2013 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)
TRUCK ABS, DOWNHILL DESCENT, TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON WHEN BRAKE APPLIED. ALL THREE LIGHTS ARE ON. IN EVENT I WAS DRIVING DURING SNOW OR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS DOWN HILL VEHICLE WOULD OF BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL RESULTING IN CRASH AND PHYSICAL INJURY. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SHUTTER VALVE FAILURE WHICH CAN BE RESULT OF BRAKE FLUID CORRODING ELECTRIC…
10/19/2008 · Electrical system
IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED - COULD NOT UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL . HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED AWAY FROM GAS STATION PUMP ON A SUNDAY ($75) IN ATHENS GA. THEN ON A WEEK DAY HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED FROM ATHENS GA TO AUGUSTA GA ($350)(TO A LANDROVER DEALER) TO FIX IT. IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED ($778). *TR
09/30/2008 · Engine
2001 LANDROVER DISCOVERY HEAD GASKET WAS NEVER FIXED STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR. *TR
01/24/2008 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY, NEARLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED. SHE DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED…
08/01/2005 · Brakes
DT: CONTACT STATED THE ABS MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THERE WAS DOCUMENTATION THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE PLACED ON CORRODED ROTORS, CAUSING THE MODULE TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. ONE ROTOR WAS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. CONTACT STATED SHE WAS DECEIVED WHEN SHE PURCHASED…
01/20/2004 · Suspension · crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND UPON APPROACHING A TURN IN THE ROAD VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SWAY, CAUSING IT TO TIP OVER. THEN, VEHICLE FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. CONSUMER AND FAMILY SUFFERED MINOR SCRAPES AND BRUISES. *AK