2001 Land Rover Discovery II: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving, the drive shaft detached from the vehicle while in motion. There was a loss of drive and we could not use the transmission park function to put the car in park. Instead we had to use the emergency brake. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 land rover discovery ii. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle erroneously accelerated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the throttle cable was replaced but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v028000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 land rover discovery ii. The contact stated that the engine cooling failed causing the serpentine belt to fail. The active cornering enhancement (ace) pump banjo bolt lost torque and allowed fluid to leak past the joint. The contact was informed of the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v006000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to a dealer who verified that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 121,000.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“While attempting to park in a parking lot, my wife applied the brakes, which caused our 2001 land rover discovery ii to suddenly accelerate. The harder she pushed, the more it accelerated. Fortunately, she hit a concrete encased light standard before hitting anyone or another vehicle. She was not hurt, although very traumatized, but the vehicle hit so hard, it crumpled the whole front end, effectively totaling the vehicle. I was dismayed to see the number of land rover sudden acceleration incidents when I googled it. It certainly appears there is a design flaw which has not been successfully resolved thru any recall efforts by land rover. I intend to pursue legal recourse. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2012
“2001 land rover discovery ii. Consumer writes in regards to possible unintended acceleration *tgw the consumer stated he took his vehicle to the car wash. As the vehicle was exiting the automatic car wash tunnel, a young man entered the vehicle, started the engine and according to him, it suddenly accelerated and rear ended another customer's vehicle. The manager at the car wash informed the consumer a recall had been issued regarding sudden acceleration. When the consumer contacted land rover, he was informed no recall or service bulletin had been issued with respect to his particular vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2011
“I pulled car into a parking place, turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition without realizing the car was in "drive." when I returned, the car had rolled across the parking lot hitting another vehicle. I spoke with the lr dealership who confirmed this was not possible and was accused of leaving the car in "neutral." I tested this theory to find that I could remove the key from the ignition in any gear. The lr representative advised that a plastic part in the steering column occasionally breaks permitting the key to be removed with the shifter in gears other than "park." I was advised to make sure to use the emergency brake until I sell the car. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 land rover discovery ii. The ABS lights illuminated, which indicated that they were not engaged. The dealer stated that the hill descent pcs lights were illuminated, making the ABS in the vehicle useless. The failure mileage was 57,000 and current mileage is 58,000. Updated 06/23/08 *bf”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2007
“I was driving my land rover discovery ii on a parking lot and was about to park, as I turned the wheel to get to the parking space I applied the brake, which became hard as a rock and the vehicle didn't slow down, I crashed into the vehicle that was parked on the other side of the parking space. Prior to the accident I had , what is know in land rover forum as the 3 amigo lights, which are the t/c, h/d and ABS light that are on at the same time. The brakes completely failed, again the pedal was hard as a rock and couldn't be pushed down. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2007
“I have had to replace the windshield twice within the last four years because of a crack which develops from the point where the rear view mirror attaches to the window. A 12 to 15 inch vertical crack has developed either during or after the vehicle has been washed. The vehicle has only been used for commuting purposes, not off roading. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2007
“Tl* - the contact stated that while driving his 2002 land rover discovery into his driveway the hill descent control, ABS, traction control warning lights turned on. He took it into the dealer on 01/16/07 and they stated the ABS modulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle had an odometer reading of 140000 miles at the time of the failure. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH WARN INDUSTRIES' WINCH KITS. A POWER INTERRUPT SOLENOID, POSSIBLY INCLUDED IN THE WINCH ASSEMBLY, CAN DEVELOP AN ELECTRICAL LEAK PATH TO GROUND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CALL OWNERS TO ARRANGE FOR AN INSPECTION TIME TO DETERMINE IF A DEFECTIVE POWER INTERRUPT SOLENOID WAS INSTALLED. IF IT WAS, THE SOLENOID WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 13, 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 1-301-731-9040.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE) PUMP BANJO BOLT LOOSES TORQUE AND ALLOWS FLUID TO LEAK PAST THE JOINT.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR CAN CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THE SENSOR SIGNAL, RESULTING IN INAPPROPRIATE ABS ACTIVATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ECU. 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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Discovery II by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Land Rover Discovery II reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Land Rover Discovery II. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Land Rover Discovery II problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Land Rover Discovery II have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:driveline:driveshaft. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.