Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Land Rover Discovery II owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After owning my brand new 2003 Land Rover Discovery for about 5 weeks, I was driving on a highway when the oil light came on. Within seconds the vehicle began making and odd noise. I pulled off to the side of the highway and by the time I got out of the vehicle, it was on fire. The entire front end of the vehicle burnt off. Land Rover has refused to take responsibility for their defective vehicle and will do nothing about this situation. In addition, everyone that I have dealt with at Land Rover has been rude, inconsiderate and evasive. They have also refused to pay for the personal items that were in the vehicle and damaged because of the fire.
My husband bought me the 2003 Land Rover Discovery as a 2006 christmas gift. The car had approximately 46,000 miles on it. We were driving it and heard a pop & the car just died. I had the car a little over a month. There was oil & chunks of metal under the car. We had it towed home as the dealership was hours away. My husband looked through the parts book & found that it was possibly the front engine cover/oil pump. I did some research on the internet & found Land Rover issued a technical alert entitled 2003 Discovery series II oil pump failures, #t03 1201, on March 14, 2003 to its dealers. It advised that the dowel pins on the block did not align correctly with the oil pump. This caused oil starvation , which in turn, caused engine failure. It clearly stated the defect was the result of a manufacturing error. …
We have a 2003 Land Rover Discovery w/ 47K miles on it. On Friday night, August 15th 2008, we started to drive down our street when all of a sudden the engine sounded like a diesel truck. It was horrible. We also had a red oil light. The car felt sluggish, sounded horrible & had an oil light on so we turned around and parked the Land Rover before the engine seized up. We have been trying to figure out what it could be & determined that our oil pump has failed. I am understanding that there is a technical defect that was issued on March 14, 2003, but no recall. This is quite disturbing since the manufacturing is admitting to fault, but is not setting up a recall for this item. With the prices of gas, food, utilities and the general state of our economy, I don't have the resources to fix this rig at this time. …
While driving low mileage 2003 Discovery II se7, engine began to knock in upper engine area on driver side. Pulled into local repair shop immediately and was told it was not a rod as the noise dissipates when idled above 1000 RPM. Took it to a local Land Rover shop and was told it was either a bad oil pump or the sleeve in the cylinder at the back of the engine has come loose and is knocking up against the head gasket. Technician privately indicated both are known issues and that a new engine is required in either case and that lr north America knows of the issues and has refused to assist owners or issue a recall. Cost of new engine is between $8,000 and 12,000 depending on who you talk with. …
My engine started making a knocking sound and then a sound similar to metal scratching metal. I had a master mechanic look at the engine and had several part replaced 1500.00 worth to be exact and still the sound occurs. I contacted Land Rover and because my vehicle is used and over the warranty there was nothing they could do but suggest a new engine. I have researched and it appears this is a known issue and has been acknowledge by Land Rover that the Land Rover Discovery 2003 the oil pump was faulty, however have denied any kind of solution to the problem to multiple customers other than suggesting a new engine. I don't understand as a consumer we can be expected to be held responsible for repairs on a vehicle which the manufacture knowing and willingly manufacture the a vehicle with faulty equipment. …
As I was driving down the road, the oil light came on and the engine began to make loud clanging noise. As I began to pull over, the car stalled. I called Land Rover customer service and was informed that although I was still under the mileage,that my warranty had expired 5 days earlier. I had the car towed to local Land Rover dealer and was informed that Land Rover would not cover the vehicle. The dealer concluded that vehicle needs a new motor. An independent Land Rover repair facility has concluded that engine failure was the result of oil pump failure. Land Rover issued a technical bulletin on March 14, 2003 stating that engine failures on '03 and '04 Discovery are the result of manufacturing error on the oil pump. Vehicle still needs a new motor, Land Rover has been very uncooperative even when presented with the tech alert (ta03 1201). I am 2 months with out a vehicle. …
I have experienced the same online issue with my Land Rover Discovery II, my VIN is not the same however the same exact issues. "2003 Discovery series II oil pump failure" I have a load knocking noise coming from my engine, the vehicle is still running, and oil changes, treatments etc cannot stop the knock. Not getting any warning lights of low pressure however it is at the Land Rover dealership of fort worth now and they confirmed the same. This a $12,000 fix for an issue that should have been a recall or notice to the public. I have over 300 postings on line about the same issues but all in 60 mins of looking and sure there are thousands more. I'm not sure how to search for recalls over in great britain being that someone told me that?s where my vehicle was imported from with the salty VIN number but any direction would be appreciated.
I own a 2003 Land Rover Discovery se. This vehicle only has 57,000 miles and has been very well maintained. Recently I noticed a tap coming from the engine. I immediately took it over to the local Land Rover dealer. After a couple of days, I was informed that it needed a new engine in order to fix this problem, at a cost of $14,000. What a joke! There is a widespread problem with these trucks maintaining adequate oil pressure in order to keep them running properly. Once again the consumer gets the shaft. I am now stuck, along with a lot of other lr owners, faced with a huge repair bill. This matter should have been looked into as a possible recall.
Oil pump failure resulting in complete engine replacement....noticed car oil leak coming from car and about 2 days later check engine light & oil pressure light came on, took to dealership...dealership discovered oil pump failure and of course only remedy is a complete engine replacement. Advised dealership about technical alert issued on 3/14/03 in reference to manufacturer defect which causes the oil pump failure and all I was told was "sorry, we cannot cover this...your warranty has expired and the new engine will cost $11,000.00....gave no offer of help, advised that I come get car..I guess I will have to get car from dealership with a tow truck!
I was driving my '03 Land Rover Discovery II home from work and it suddenly died. It restarted about an hour later so I drove it to the auto shop. They, after talking with Land Rover directly, said the engine wasn't getting enough oil and we would need a new engine!!! We get our Land Rover serviced very regularly so there shouldn't be any issues like this especially for an '03 with 70,000 miles. With the way the economy is, this is ridiculous! Now they're telling us we have to pay $5,000 for a used engine with 40,000 miles. I noticed a ton of other people had this same problem with the oil pump from the '03 Land rovers. Help!!!
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Engine complaints in other Discovery II years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Land Rover Discovery II, 51% of the model year's 63 complaints. The component named most often is engine (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Land Rover Discovery II engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-006 (engine and engine cooling, Jan 6, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Land Rover Discovery II engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.