Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Land Rover Discovery. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗LAND ROVER/THROTTLE STICKING
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE THROTTLE CAN STICK INTERMITTENTLY DURING ITS OPERATION. THE EXACT POINT OF STICKING IS NOT PREDICTABLE AND CAN RESULT IN A HIGHER ENGINE SPEED THAN EXPECTED.
- Consequence
- IN THE CASE WHERE A THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER A HIGH DEGREE OF ENGINE THROTTLE APPLICATION, THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO REST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. 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 1-201-818-8500.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (48)
48 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 48 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 22.9% |
| Power train | 10 | 20.8% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 18.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 16.7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 16.7% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 12.5% |
| Suspension | 3 | 6.3% |
| Air bags | 2 | 4.2% |
| Structure | 2 | 4.2% |
| Tires | 2 | 4.2% |
How 2003 compares with other Discovery years
Best and worst Discovery years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 17 | 2 |
| 2000 | 30 | 1 |
| 2001 | 13 | 1 |
| 2002 | 17 | 0 |
| 2003 | 48 | 1 |
| 2004 | 29 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 |
| 2017 | 55 | 3 |
| 2018 | 37 | 4 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 12 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $6,850
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 741 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 12 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 14 / 12 | $6,850 | 741 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 Discovery for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 Land Rover Discovery FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 03V133000 (vehicle speed control). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Land Rover Discovery problems?
Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (11), Power train (10), Service brakes (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Land Rover Discovery get?
EPA rates the 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 11 city, 14 highway and 12 combined mpg.
How does the 2003 Discovery compare with other years?
Among the 1999–2018 Land Rover Discovery model years at least five years old, the 2006 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2017 the most (55). The 2003 drew 48. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.