Most common 2002 Land Rover Discovery problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Land Rover Discovery complaints by model year
Best Discovery years: 2016, 2025, 2022. Years to avoid: 2017, 2019, 2018, 1996. Compare all years →
What 2002 Land Rover Discovery owners say
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Land Rover Discovery. While driving 70 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly overheated without warning and she noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. The dealer advised the contact to call the warranty company. No repairs were performed. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 147,081. The VIN was unavailable.
While driving the vehicle, the driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The consumer proceeded to drive the vehicle home where it caught fire. The consumer was able to put out the fire coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. Please provide any further details.
Transmission & drivetrain
Catastrophic injuries sustained!!!! Loss of life almost occurred! I was driving my Land Rover on a highway at 60 MPH when suddenly the vehicle experienced a catastrophic failure. The brake drum fell apart while the vehicle was in motion and parts from the brake drum pierced the under carriage of the vehicle and came in through the driver seat I was sitting in and cause me major internal injuries that LED to me being hospitalized for 52 days. The failure was sudden and unexpected there was no warning that this was going to happen or that there was anything was wrong with the vehicle the failure caused me to lose control of the car and I was struck by another vehicle. I have included pictures that help people better understand what happened to me. The pictures of the car parts that were removed from my abdominal area and pictures of the seat I was sitting on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Land Rover Discovery ii. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal traveled to the floorboard without warning. The vehicle accelerated to approximately 60 MPH. The contact shut off the vehicle and coasted to the shoulder. The contact exited the vehicle, looked underneath, and noticed the accelerator cable was shredded and disconnected and the throttle was in the open position. The contact connected the cable back to its original position, but the vehicle did not engage in gear. The vehicle was towed home. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle was at the shop being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
2002 Land Rover Discovery engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Land Rover Discovery a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Discovery rates better than average: 60% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Discovery at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Land Rover Discovery?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (4) and windows, wipers & sunroof (2).
How many recalls does the 2002 Land Rover Discovery have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Land Rover Discovery?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2025 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2019, 2018 and 1996. See the full Land Rover Discovery years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Land Rover Discovery problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.