Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Land Rover Discovery, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine11
- Power train10
- Vehicle speed control8
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
- Electrical system6
- Suspension3
- Air bags2
- Service brakes2
- Tires2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Land Rover Discovery failed the safety check 2.17% of the time — 3% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 123,967 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Land Rover Discovery cars on Dutch roads are the 4.0 petrol (136 kW, 182 hp) and 2.5 diesel (102 kW, 137 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 petrol | 136 kW 182 hp | 34 |
| 2.5 diesel | 102 kW 137 hp | 32 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
74 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 31% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €54,353.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen51
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm31
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld24
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde23
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af15
- Waarschuwingsinrichting antiblokkeersysteem geeft defect aan13
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt13
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
4,097 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 3,161 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 6,259 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 63% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 18.8% | 21.6% |
| Suspension | 15.3% | 16.4% |
| Brakes | 12.4% | 13.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.9% | 9.4% |
| Steering | 7.0% | 4.3% |
| Visibility | 5.0% | 7.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
142 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 37% arrived as used imports, 54% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 19.2 L/100 km (about 12 mpg US), CO₂ 442 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 21.6 | 16.2 | 19.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery.
| 2004148 29 Apr 2004 | Engine On certain vehicles, the throttle could stick intermittently during operation. The exact point of sticking is not predictable and can result in a higher engine… |
| 2003097 9 Apr 2003 | Engine On certain vehicles, the throttle could stick intermittently during operation. The exact point of sticking is not predictable and can result in a higher engine… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Land Rover told its dealers about the 2003 Land Rover Discovery: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 632224 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW STATE ULEV EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. *TT |
| 10214018 | Technical Bulletin: Squeaks & Rattles Kit Availability |
| 10136669 | The 'Service Required' warning text will not appear on the Instrument Cluster (IC) if a vehicle has reached its service point. |
| 10125267 | Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)