Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle in motion traveling at approx 5-7 MPH. Zip code 06615 when 3 ABS sensor lights went on 1. Hill descent 2. ABS 3.traction control. Recent ABS shuttle switch replaced for same reported sensor lights failure. Vehicle was not on an incline and at an intersection and light. After passing intersection cars were entering street from side. Tried to slow down as car pulled out and could not. Another car pulled out.. Tried to move around car since car would not slow down. Upon putting more pressure anti lock vibration began and car had sensation of ' locking up ' on a wheel and felt as if the car was either sliding or 'not having any brake' control. And steering seemed to be affected. Had to cross oncoming car lane to veer away from cars pulling into my line as car was not handling properly. …
Failure of antilock service brakes. Defect first identified in March 2005, when hdc,ABS,tc and red brake light came on. Vehicle taken to Land Rover of wood bridge where they diagnosed a loose connector. These lights came on intermittently over the last several years, but went out on their own usually. In late 2008 the lights came back on and stayed on. Car taken back to lr in dec. 17, 2008 with 38805 miles. Failure of the ABS modulator was diagnosed, and warranty coverage was denied, despite what was a failure to diagnose and correct the problem in 2005. Repair was to be $3000 plus labor. I subsequently learned that there have been recalls issued for this problem and it appears the my VIN number falls within the range. However lr refuses to cover this repair. I have made 2 attempts with customer service to have lr repair this defect under warranty coverage without success. …
1. Applied the brakes. 2. Every time I apply brakes after vehicle has been started 3. Dealer claims there is nothing which can be done... Apparently all such models have this issue, which generates the question as to why Land Rover has not been made to do something about this, much like what would have been done had such an issue been incurred with a Chevrolet, Ford or Toyota? This issue has already been recorded as service bulletin NHTSA item no. 10016118? This demonstrates there are recognized problems with the ABS modulator and system, resulting in the ABS/ emergency brake / hill descent and traction control lamps illuminating on the dash, which May cause the ABS system to incur failure when needed? …
Anti lock brake failure; multiple lights illuminte whe heavy braking down hills. All brake pads and rotors are new. Lights on dash extinguish upon restart. Very poor braking almost allowing vehicle to travel into cross traffic. Felt as though anti-lock system stopped functioning with standard braking remaining. Happended several times with myself and wife driving vehicle. Brought to dealer and looked up info on internet. Dealer indicated is was the antilock brake system modulator. Many complaints on Rover websites about this going fairly early in life of vehicle. Dealership told my wife that there was still normal braking if lights are on,but it should not be used like your braking with antilock systems. I do not believe that landrover has not addressed this issue. This problem as caused several close calls when braking on limited hills. …
The brake pedal is very soft. The traction control and ABS lights flash on at-will. Took the vehicle into Land Rover anaheim hills who determined the ABS modulator is going out and will need to be replaced. Purchased the vehicle with approximately 74K miles. Mileage when taken to dealership was 78,490. Five days after purchasing vehicle, had the rear brake pads replaced; yet, no improvement on braking distance, feel of brake pedal. When pumping the brake pedal rapidly twice, the brakes stop responsively. Otherwise, the brake pedal depresses a number of inches before actually halting the vehicle.
Land Rover Discovery II front drive shafts will always fail catastrophically between 60,000 to 70,000 miles. Every Land Rover forum discusses this and the consensus is that Land Rover should have reported this to NHTSA as a safety issue. When they break the consequences include the shaft going into the passenger compartment or traveling at a high rate of speed into nearby cars. Every Discovery II on the road has these front shafts fail and the owners of the vehicles have never been warned of this extreme danger.
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.
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.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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…
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Land Rover Discovery II years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (16), 1999 (15), 2003 (14), 2001 (8) and 2002 (7) model years. Brake complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Land Rover Discovery II brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 04V-005 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Jan 6, 2004); 02V-022 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Jan 22, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Land Rover Discovery II brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (25 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (9).
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.