Overview & Reviews
Land Rover has made a number of updates to its 2003 Discovery. In terms of mechanical components, the company has installed a more powerful 4.6-liter V8 engine and has improved the steering, brakes and suspension. Styling is revised front and rear, including headlamps that mimic its bigger brother's, the Range Rover. New interior treatments grace the cabin, and a rear park distance control is now an option. Finally, Land Rover has dropped the "Series II" nomenclature, and it's now simply called "Discovery."
- Great off-road ability, unique exterior design, advanced handling features.
- Difficult entry and egress, quirky interior design, not much cargo space, poor gas mileage.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 147.00-
Rather Be Walking - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By Rather Be Walking - September 30 - 10:00 amBought my 2003 Disc.SE new and experienced problems ever since. Replaced electronic control units in both sunroofs, fixed the drivers side window and front sunroof as they were stuck open, cigarette lighter and heated seats stopped working after 2 months, and gas tank door fixed several times-it refuses to stay closed. Tail lights burn out continuously, back door bolts rusted since month 2 and bolts under hood corroding. Vehicle is very loud. Control panel layout is awkward at best. After sale service was so bad that I would never go back to that dealership. Take a very long test drive before purchasing this vehicle. Cant wait to get rid of mine.
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Defective seat - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By mimi1956 - March 12 - 9:14 amOur driver side seat craked a couple of years ago on our 2003 Discovery. The same seat keeps blowing the adjustment fuse. We have been getting burnt a little when we turn the heated seat on. My husband just noticed that it is black like a fire was starting, checked my coat and it is burned where I sit. Called the dealer said its not their problem, called Lard Rover od America and was told the same thing. I sort of think this is a manufacturer defect. This is probably why the seat cracked and the fuse keeps blowing. Should we get a lawyer?
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Whatever you do keep it awayyyyyy!! - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By thesonnyjim - September 17 - 12:13 amI was the second owner at 38k miles with existing warranty paid 16.5k from Private seller about 5 years ago. At first glance I loved the car but after driving it for 6 months, a Nightmare!! The gaskets went, luckily I had warranty but still had to pay labor. Every little thing started to break down, cheap plastic pieces would break off and cost expensive for something that should cost very cheap & actuators go alot. Make a long story short after replacing the rear hydraulics (paid 4k & 2 months in the shop) I took the car to a dealer that took it in at a value of 4700 and traded it in for a 2012 Toyota Sienna SE. Im very happy with that vehicle. A Land Rover...Never again in this lifetime!
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To be avoided! - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By sgriggs - January 3 - 6:03 pmI bought my 03 Discovery II with 75K miles after a local Land Rover mechanic (independent) gave it a careful inspection and discovered nothing immediately wrong. In the 1 year and 7 months since, it has spent more time in the shop than any other car Ive owned (including a vintage Bentley!) and cost me a small fortune in repairs. When I bought mine, I figured that none of the horror stories I read about would happen to me, and that if I was careful and took good care of my LR, I would be rewarded with a reliable ride. I was wrong. These things are poorly designed and built. The only up-side is that it looks good when parked outside my house. Which is more often than not these days!
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problems from day one - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By Bostic - April 25 - 10:00 amWe traded my Yukon for our Land Rover thinking we were getting a good SUV . Mistake I have taken it to the dealer averaging every 3-4 weeks that I have had it to get something fixed on it.From the first time I washed it I have nothing but problems the side panel fell off, the knobs to control the seats, the leather seat messed up, the fuel injection, bolts falling off the exhaust, and I just took it last because the drivers door lock messed up. There has been many other little problems and you would think when you pay this much for a car you wouldnt have any problems.
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My New Ex Boyfriend - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By My New Ex Boyfriend - November 27 - 4:40 pmYes, its true...I ran to him when 6000 lbs or better meant notaxes that year! and now he has cheated on me. He got into bed with a gas pump and I just cant trust him anymore! He was quite the looker, but boy he has a drinking problem. Seriously, I loved the look of this truck, I like the classic stying. The romance fades from here. Although its never left me stranded, OK once - E means empty, there is no forgiving here. Have already done the brakes and I am on my 2nd set of tires. Front end is leaking as it is prone to do. O2 sensors have been replaced two times. Rear door latch failed and while rounding a corner door flew open and bent hinges
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Dont do it!!!! - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By Mini B2003 - August 18 - 10:00 amThis vehicle was a bust from day one. The electrical system went out multiple times, the A/C drains got clogged (for no apparent reason) and flooded the front of the car, the Goodyears they put on them cupped within the first 10K miles making it loader than a semi. The steering wheel is way too low for anyone over 510". This was the worst automotive choice I ever made. Do yourself a favor, look around, there are much better vehicles out there.
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No-Go Disco - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By l-i-v-i-n - June 14 - 2:03 amI was looking for a great off road vehicle; this is not it. Despite regular maintenance, and no hesitation in replacing parts as the mechanic suggested it, this car still let me down. Blown head gasket, blown seal, exhaust leak, electrical problem, stuck window(s), and the little nickel and dime stuff here and there (wipers, filters, etc.) that all cost more than on a non-premium car. The car performed well when it was working, and could work trails like nothing Ive ever driven, but enter into this understanding your obligation as an owner is to spend at least $3000-$4000 per year on problems; not just standard maintenance.
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Disco is dead - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By ROVER NO MORE - July 13 - 11:03 amMy wife saw this Disco and had to have it and just like the music it didnt last. The real problems started last year when we replaced the power steering pump, then the head gasket went at 67k, then the throttle body heater. The car never went off-road and we had to replace the transfer case at 88k. So much for its legendary off-road capability. And Finally after all that we were told after a flashing service light, one of many, that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced at 93k. Six years old five years owned, bought with 8500 miles. P.O.S car. Never buy english V8s.
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Bad, bad, bad - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
By Run Away Now! - April 2 - 9:16 amPurchased this vehicle as a demo model. Has been nothing but unreliable since day one. Yesterday I had to junk it because the engine failed totally! Beware of this year and model car. Look online for issues involving oil pump engine failures. The car was in the shop more than out -- sometimes months at a time -- power window failures, leakage, tailgate failure, numerous mechanical issues and basically a very rough riding car. Since this model year, I will pride Land Rover in coming out with the LR3 --I have heard a much better designed car. But dont buy a 2003 Discovery!
