Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% | 7,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2017 | 3 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 21% | 80,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 19% | 60,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 6% | 132,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 23% | 130,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 27% | 101,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 29% | — |
| 1998 | 5 | 15% | 98,000 miles |
| 1997 | 13 | 37% | 88,000 miles |
| 1996 | 19 | 29% | 150,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 8% | 103,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE TDi6 has been to the dealer multiple times since purchased new in 2018. This vehicle has several safety issues. First is the random and repeatable shut down of the ABS, Stability, Automatic Braking, Electric steering, windshield leak causing considerable water penetration. The primary concern is the vehicle will lose communication with the ABS, Airbag, Stability, Braking Steering computer at any time while driving. This vehicle had been inspected prior with no known fix. This issue nearly caused an accident on Monday 3-14--2022. Vehicle can be hard to control when the lights on the dash turn on, loss of steering assist and suspension (floating, roughness, swerve etc). Windshield leak started approx 3 weeks ago and there is a strong musty odor. …
I purchased this vehicle continue suspension fault and check engine light continues to come on daily and through out the day in driving. Fuel cap I have spent over $3,000, to fix a purchased vehicle, [redacted] from [redacted] of Land Rover. I believe they sold me a lemon. To date of [redacted], amber lights on dash boards since purchase. I changed the suspension, control arm, brakes, oil change, rotors, tires, purge valve still no drive.
The contact owns a 2004 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to immediately stop the vehicle. The contact aggressively slammed on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was slightly drifting to the left. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the EVAP was leaking and needed to be replaced. The EVAP was replaced. The mechanic had not diagnosed the brake failure. The vehicle was picked up, and the dealer informed the contact to drive the vehicle for another 25 miles to see if the check engine warning light would illuminate again. The contact stated that after leaving the dealer, 48 miles later, the check engine warning light illuminated again. …
Seems as if either the brake booster or a part of the braking system is not providing ample stopping power. The vehicle has a difficult time stooping in a hard braking scenario either from highway speeds or from a complete stop at a stop sign when we realized a vehicle was coming and had to slam on the brakes the vehicle did not stop as it should have. I have heard of this being an issue and thought there was already a recall but your website says otherwise.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Land Rover Discovery. While the contact's spouse was driving 45 MPH around a curve, the vehicle hydroplaned, left the road, and crashed into a culvert and a highway sign. The vehicle rolled over multiple times. The contact stated that the anti-lock braking system warning indicator was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the spine, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
On my way home from picking up my grandchild there was some vibrating on the passenger side of the automobile. Than a loud explosion followed by rubber burning smell and lost of control of car. Managed to pull over car would not rolling had to engage parking brake. Had car towed home. Drive shaft seperated and destroyed transmission pan. Broke pieces off of tansmission. Change rotors and brake and car still will not come to a complete stop without sliding a bit. ABS lights come on every time this happens. Both incidents happen while im driving streets or highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Land Rover Discovery. While driving approximately 50 MPH, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to brake properly while the traction control, ABS, and down hill sensor warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Truck ABS, downhill descent, traction control came on when brake applied. All three lights are on. In event I was driving during snow or slippery conditions down hill vehicle would of been very difficult to control resulting in crash and physical injury. The car was diagnosed as a shutter valve failure which can be result of brake fluid corroding electrical switches or just outright failure where repair estimates range from $1200 to $3800. This issue is notorious among 1999-2004 Discovery's. Why wait until someone is killed eventually to issue a recall. The NHTSA should investigate now to prevent the death of its citizens in the near future.
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The contacts of the relay, which operates the anti-lock brake system (ABS) pump, can stick and remain closed when commanded to open by the ABS electronic control unit. The warning lamp will illuminate and an audible alarm will sound.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS relay.
Frequently asked questions
Which Land Rover Discovery years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (19), 1997 (13), 2003 (9), 2000 (8) and 2004 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Land Rover Discovery brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V-237 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Aug 26, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Land Rover Discovery brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (39 mentions), followed by the foundation components (3).
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.