LAND ROVER DISCOVERY · model year

2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

32 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004LAND ROVERDISCOVERY carries 32 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 DISCOVERY is engine with 5 filings, followed by electrical system (3) and structure (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2004 DISCOVERY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

32
Complaints
4
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

32 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
STRUCTURE2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SUSPENSION2
SERVICE BRAKES2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH1
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
AIR BAGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

Recent Complaints

20250815SERVICE BRAKES

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. The contact called the mechanic, who decided not to inspect the vehicle again, but instead refunded the cost for the previo

Mileage: 106,683

20250815FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER

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. The contact called the mechanic, who decided not to inspect the vehicle again, but instead refunded the cost for the previo

Mileage: 106,683

20200202SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 161,200

20170110STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 (NA) LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. UPON RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO THE SUN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

Mileage: 37,000

20150724SUSPENSION

THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL APART AT LOW SPEED. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AT HIGH SPEED

Mileage: 120,000

20150429FireENGINE

CPSC: I1540160A. 2004 LANDROVER DISCOVERY. CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE BAY FUSE BOX SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED. *LN

20150429FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CPSC: I1540160A. 2004 LANDROVER DISCOVERY. CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE BAY FUSE BOX SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED. *LN

20150410FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, POWER TO THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER FAN SHUT OFF. UPON PARKING 2 MILES LATER, SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING FROM THE HOOD. THE UNDER HOOD FUSE/RELAY BOX APPEARS TO HAVE SHORTED AND CAUGHT FIRE. VISIBLE DAMAGE IS ISOLATED TO THE FUSE/RELAY BOX. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20150321ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 76,688

20150118ENGINE

I PURCHASED OUR LAND ROVER 6 MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT IT WITH 105000 MILES ON IT AND FINANCED IT THAT WAY ,ON JANUARY 17 TH MY WIFE GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOWS 186000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER FRAUDULENTLY SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAS BIN TAMPERED WITH AND I NEED TO FIND OUT HOW TO PURSUE HIM? *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20141212ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20140912ENGINE

COMPLETE ENGINE INVESTIGATION DONE BY DEALERSHIP AND THIRD PARTY TO INVESTIGATE TICKING NOISE. ENGINE REMOVED, REPLACED ALL BEARINGS, CAM BEARINGS, NEW CAMSHAFT, LIFTERS, TIMING CHAIN AND GEARS. CYCLED THROUGH OVER 5 TYPES OF OILS AND ADDITIVES. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES POSSIBLE MANUFACTURER ISSUE OCCURRING IN 2004 MODELS WHERE CYLINDER LINER IS ACTUALLY SLIPPING. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT LINER SLIPPING IS NOT POSSIBLE AND OTHER ISSUES WOULD BE APPARENT. HOWEVER, MULTIPLE ISSUES ARE DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS. OTHER SERVICE TEAMS INDICATE THAT ENGINE COULD FAIL BUT WAS KNOWN ISSUE BY MANUFACTURER. ALL 2004'S ARE OUT OF WARRANTY SO THIS HAS BECOME A NON-REPORTED ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 70,689

20140430STRUCTURE

EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME AT KEY POINTS, SUCH AS FRONT SUSPENSION, ENGINE BLOCK. TOLD BY THE DEALER THE BODY HAS TO COME OFF TO FIX RUST PROBLEM. THE WERE OTHER CARS IN THE SHOP SAME YEAR, SAME MODEL. WAS TOLD IF I HIT A HARD BUMP OR WHOLE IN ROAD, THE FRONT END COULD COLLAPSE. LAND ROVER IS BEING NON RESPONSIVE. *JS

Mileage: 108,000

20130410LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY OR WHEN USING THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

20111219SUSPENSION

DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE SEVERAL PLACES WHERE THE RUST HAD LEFT HOLES IN THE METAL 6 INCHES IN LENGTH. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LIKELY NOT PASS A VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN A FRAME RUSTED THIS BADLY ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

20110206SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AT 45 MPH HAD TO APPLY HARD BRAKING , THE TRUCK'S BRAKING SYSTEM RESPONDED POORLY CAUSING EXTRA LONG BRAKING DISTANCE. THE ABS , HILL DESCEND & TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON JUST BEFORE THE INCIDENT.

Mileage: 80,000

20101020STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY HSE. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT REGARDING WARRANTY AND NEEDED REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN. THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE PUMP WITH NEW LAND ROVER REPLACEMENT PARTS. INSTEAD, THEY AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR FOR USED PARTS. AS A RESULT, THE SHOP WAITED WEEKS UNTIL THE PARTS WERE LOCATED. THE FIRST USED STEERING PUMP THAT WAS INSTALLED MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STEERED. A SECOND USED PUMP HAD TO BE LOCATED AND INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS WITHOUT HIS VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS. SHORTLY AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE SECOND USED REPLACEMENT WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. *JB

20101020STEERING

2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY HSE. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT REGARDING WARRANTY AND NEEDED REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN. THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE PUMP WITH NEW LAND ROVER REPLACEMENT PARTS. INSTEAD, THEY AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR FOR USED PARTS. AS A RESULT, THE SHOP WAITED WEEKS UNTIL THE PARTS WERE LOCATED. THE FIRST USED STEERING PUMP THAT WAS INSTALLED MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STEERED. A SECOND USED PUMP HAD TO BE LOCATED AND INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS WITHOUT HIS VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS. SHORTLY AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE SECOND USED REPLACEMENT WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. *JB

20100910SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE REAR PASSENGER MIDDLE SEAT BACK REST HOOK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND STATED THAT THE HOOK ASSEMBLY COULD NOT BE REPAIRED; THEREFORE, THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 7451000 AND STATED THAT THEY ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,700.

Mileage: 81,000

20100623VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

Compare 2004LAND ROVERDISCOVERY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY have?
The 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY has 32 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY?
The most-complained component for the 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY is ENGINE with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and STRUCTURE.
Is the 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.