NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Land Rover Discovery II Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Land Rover Discovery II has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 34 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Land Rover dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Land Rover Discovery II owner complaints

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II, describing incidents dated March 1, 2002 to January 20, 2015.

Most-cited components

Engine 14 complaints
Power Train 9 complaints
Service Brakes 6 complaints
Steering 3 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Electrical System 1 complaint

Of the 34 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 34 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10679833 · Filed January 29, 2015
VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKE FLUID. NO BRAKES. ALL LINES AND CHASSIS RUSTED. *TR
ODI #10446863 · Filed February 6, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT CAME APART WITHOUT WARNING AND I WAS ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH I WAS ABLE TO AVOID. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA, VA ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MOST COMMON IN LAND ROVER AND RANGE ROVER. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED…
ODI #10435531 · Filed November 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF ANTI FREEZE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

Read all 34 complaints

DRIVESHAFT COUPLER/SERVICE PART

NHTSA #12E010000 · Power Train — Driveline — Driveshaft · NHTSA notice

Reported March 15, 2012 · JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 180 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign P024 · Owners notified May 4, 2012

Defect description

JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, INC. (LAND ROVER) IS RECALLING CERTAIN REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLINGS, LAND ROVER BRANDED PART NUMBER TVF100010, MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2011 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2011, SOLD FOR USE AS SERVICE PARTS FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995-1999 DISCOVERY, 1999-2004 DISCOVERY II, AND 1995 RANGE ROVER CLASSIC VEHICLES. SOME OF THE REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE REQUIRED ENGINEERING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXHIBIT THE ONSET OF JOINT SEPARATION, PRECLUDED BY DRIVE LINE VIBRATION.

Safety consequence

IF THIS INCREASED VIBRATION WARNING SIGN IS IGNORED, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVE COUPLING CAN OCCUR. THE DRIVESHAFT MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION RESULTING IN LOSS OF DRIVE AND LOSS OF TRANSMISSION PARK FUNCTIONALITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH AND/OR INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

LAND ROVER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA AT 1-201-818-8500.

Notes

LAND ROVER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS P024.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

LAND ROVER/ACE BOLT

NHTSA #04V006000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported January 6, 2004 · LAND ROVER

Potentially affected: 5,264 vehicles

Land Rover campaign B149 · Owners notified June 2, 2004 · Vehicles built December 13, 1999 – June 17, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE) PUMP BANJO BOLT LOOSES TORQUE AND ALLOWS FLUID TO LEAK PAST THE JOINT.

Safety consequence

THE FLUID FROM THE PUMP JOINT CAN IGNITE, RESULTING IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR LEAKAGE. IF NO LEAKAGE IS EVIDENT, THE BANJO BOLT WILL BE RE-TIGHTENED. IF LEAKAGE IS EVIDENT, THE BANJO BOLT AND DOWTY WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

Notes

LAND ROVER RECALL NO. B149.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

LAND ROVER/ABS VALVE COVER BOLT

NHTSA #04V005000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported January 6, 2004 · LAND ROVER

Potentially affected: 100,174 vehicles

Land Rover campaign B148 · Owners notified June 2, 2004 · Vehicles built May 1, 1998 – December 1, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR VALVE COVER RETAINING BOLTS CAN CRACK DUE TO STRESSES TRANSMITTED BY THE FLEXING VALVE COVERS.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN PRODUCE AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR TOTAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING FUNCTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL STRENGTHEN THE ABS MODULATOR ASSEMBLY VALVE COVERS AND REPLACE THE RETAINING BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXEPCTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

Notes

LAND ROVER RECALL NO. B148.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

LAND ROVER/THROTTLE CABLE

NHTSA #02V028000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported January 23, 2002 · LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 64,925 vehicles

Owners notified March 6, 2002 · Vehicles built April 1, 1998 – January 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE COULD HAVE BECOME KINKED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN CHAFFING OF THE CABLE. CONTINUED CHAFFING CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE INTERIOR CABLE STRANDS.

Safety consequence

BREAKAGE OF THE CABLE STRANDS CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE BEING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DAMAGED CABLES WHERE NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 6, 2002. 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 1-301-731-9040.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

34 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery II.

Service Brakes

ODI #10679833

Incident: January 20, 2015 · Filed: January 29, 2015

VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKE FLUID. NO BRAKES. ALL LINES AND CHASSIS RUSTED. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10446863

Incident: March 18, 2011 · Filed: February 6, 2012

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT CAME APART WITHOUT WARNING AND I WAS ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH I WAS ABLE TO AVOID. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA, VA ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MOST COMMON IN LAND ROVER AND RANGE ROVER. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT WOULD CAUSE SEVERE ACCIDENTS IF THERE IS NO WARNING BEFOREHAND. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10435531

Incident: September 14, 2011 · Filed: November 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF ANTI FREEZE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10367920

Incident: November 23, 2010 · Filed: November 26, 2010

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II WELL MAINTAINED AT 112 MILES PRESENTED SLIGHT COOLANT AND OIL LEAKAGE. OVERHEATED TWICE. COOLANT LEAK WORSENED RESULTING IN VISUAL INSPECTION BY OWNER. SEVERE COOLANT LEAK EVIDENT FROM RIGHT SIDE REAR HEAD GASKET AND EITHER LEFT SIDE FRONT HEAD GASKET OR FRONT COVER. OIL LEAK ISOLATED TO LEFT SIDE VALVE COVER. ENGINE UNDERGOING TEARDOWN TO DETERMINE DAMAGE EXTENT AND REPAIRABILITY. ESTIMATE $2,500 ASSUMING STEEL CYLINDER LINERS HAVE NOT MOVED OUT OF POSITION. PROPOSED REPAIR ACTION: REPLACE LEFT AND RIGHT HEAD, FRONT COVER, OIL PAN, VALLEY, THROTTLE BODY, GASKETS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND POSSIBLY RADIATOR. RESEARCH SUGGESTS ENGINE REPLACEMENT WITH "TOP HAT" CYLINDER LINERS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10367919

Incident: November 23, 2010 · Filed: November 26, 2010

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II WELL MAINTAINED AT 112 MILES PRESENTED SLIGHT COOLANT AND OIL LEAKAGE. OVERHEATED TWICE. COOLANT LEAK WORSENED RESULTING IN VISUAL INSPECTION BY OWNER. SEVERE COOLANT LEAK EVIDENT FROM RIGHT SIDE REAR HEAD GASKET AND EITHER LEFT SIDE FRONT HEAD GASKET OR FRONT COVER. OIL LEAK ISOLATED TO LEFT SIDE VALVE COVER. ENGINE UNDERGOING TEARDOWN TO DETERMINE DAMAGE EXTENT AND REPAIRABILITY. ESTIMATE $2,500 ASSUMING STEEL CYLINDER LINERS HAVE NOT MOVED OUT OF POSITION. PROPOSED REPAIR ACTION TO REPLACE LEFT AND RIGHT HEAD, FRONT COVER, OIL PAN, VALLEY, THROTTLE BODY, GASKETS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND POSSIBLY RADIATOR. RESEARCH SUGGESTS ENGINE REPLACEMENT WITH "TOP HAT" CYLINDER LINERS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10361079

Incident: November 1, 2009 · Filed: October 18, 2010

WHILE DRIVING OUR LAND ROVER IT STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I PULLED OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP SINCE IT WOULD NOT START AFTER ALLOWING IT TO COOL. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THE ALUMINUM CAMS HAD MELTED AND THAT THEY ALONE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THEY STATED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WOULD BE NECESSARY. COST $5600 - $7300. MILES ON VEHICLE AT TIME OF INCIDENT 87,000. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10349606

Incident: August 19, 2009 · Filed: August 16, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT AFTER DRIVING ONE MILE, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. HE WOULD THEN MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND ALLOW IT TO COOL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER COOLING OFF UNTIL THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10323358

Incident: February 17, 2010 · Filed: April 1, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN FEBRUARY 2010, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING OIL PRESSURE WHEN IDLING AND THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED REGARDING THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY NEED BEARINGS BUT RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE OIL PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

Power Train

ODI #10275805

Incident: May 25, 2009 · Filed: July 5, 2009

I OWN A 2002 DISCOVERY SERIES 2 AT ABOUT 92000 MILES THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FAILED, WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE REPLACED IT WITH A USED ONE FROM A 2002 ALSO AND NOT EVEN 1 MONTH LATER THE REPLACEMENT ALSO FAILED NOW I'M RELUCTANT TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AT ANOTHER 900 DOLLARS. ALSO I HAVE THE OLD ONE THAT FAILED, HOPING TO GET IT FIXED AS A REPLACEMENT AS I HAVE BEEN READING THEY SEEM TO FAIL ALOT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10262698

Incident: February 15, 2009 · Filed: March 22, 2009

HEAD GASKET LEAK. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SUV. LOCAL LR REPAIR SAID $1650 - $2500. HEAD GASKETS ON THIS ENGINE CAN GO OUT EVERY 35K. COOLANT LEAKS FROM THE BACK OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. NOT DETRIMENTAL, BUT CAN CAUSE THE CONSTANT SMELL OF COOLANT. NO PUDDLES. MY COOLANT LEVEL DROPS ABOUT A QUART A MONTH. HARDLY WORTH $1650 TO REPAIR. *TR

Other Land Rover Discovery II model years

Check your 2002 Land Rover Discovery II VIN

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