2004 Land Rover Discovery

Routine

Owners filed 29 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Land Rover Discovery years to avoid. Which Land Rover Discovery years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
76,688 milesMedian miles at failure

25 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2004 Land Rover Discovery problems

6 of the 29 complaints (21%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine5
010
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration2
101
Suspension2
000
Structure · body and frame2
000
Service Brakes · brakes2
000
Electrical System2
010
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · throttle and acceleration1
100
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars · body and frame1
000
Structure › Body · body and frame1
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2025106,683 milesTX

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 previous repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,683.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2020161,200 milesMI

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 10, 201737,000 milesCA

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.

Suspension
Filed Jul 24, 2015120,000 milesIL

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

EngineFire
Filed Apr 29, 2015SC

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

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 10, 2015175,000 milesSC

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

Engine
Filed Mar 21, 201576,688 milesMI

ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 18, 2015110,000 milesIN

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

Engine
Filed Dec 12, 201480,000 milesAZ

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.

Engine
Filed Sep 12, 201470,689 milesCO

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

Structure
Filed Apr 30, 2014108,000 milesPA

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Apr 10, 201382,000 milesAZ

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

Suspension
Filed Dec 19, 201188,000 milesNY

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 6, 201180,000 milesFL

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.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Oct 20, 2010CT

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

Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly
Filed Sep 10, 201081,000 milesOH

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.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 23, 2010105,000 milesIL

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.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 2, 201037,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING OVER A CURB AND THEN FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 31, 200946,842 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ENGINE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,842.

Structure
Filed Aug 7, 200934,436 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, WATER BEGAN LEAKING ONTO THE DASHBOARD, STEERING WHEEL, MIDDLE CONSOLE, AND THE GEAR SHIFT. IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME OF THE WET CONDITIONS, MOLD BEGINS TO BUILD UP INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A CLOGGED DRAIN. THE MECHANIC BLEW OUT THE DRAIN, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. DURING THE SECOND FAILURE, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE HOW THE WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. DURING THE THIRD VISIT, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE POINT OF ENTRY FOR THE WATER. DURING THE FOURTH AND FIFTH VISITS, THE MECHANIC UNCLOGGED THE DRAIN AND STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE LEAVES FROM THE TREES. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS AND THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB FOR THE DEFECT AND WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO RUST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,436 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 200832,809 milesCA

MY PRIVATE MECHANIC GAVE ME A COMPUTER PRINT OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ACTION ON MY 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY - "ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE". THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON TWICE; FIRST TIME REPAIRED BY LR & THE 2ND TIME THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT & TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. THERE CLEARLY WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY LR. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Aug 27, 200852,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE MADE A SHARP TURN AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 22, 200752,335 milesNC

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 LANDROVER DISCOVERY SE7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ROTORS WERE WORN OUT COMPLETELY. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT COMPLAINING THAT THE BREAKS SQUEAKED EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER KNEW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT HE KEPT PUTTING HIM OFF UNTIL THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. VEHICLE BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, AND THE DEALER KEPT MAKING EXCUSES UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING EXCESSIVELY, BUT THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT CERTAIN INTERVALS, AND THE DEALER WAITED UNTIL THE 50 THOUSAND MILE WARRANTY RAN OUT. WARRANTY WAS OVER AND WAS NOW CHARGING THE CONTACT, WHO KNEW THE BRAKES AND MOTORS SHOULD HOLD UP FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS. FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE NEEDED PADS AND ROTORS FRONT AND REAR. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Nov 9, 200659,600 milesAL

MY DAUGHTER'S GAS PEDAL STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE ON HER 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. SHE DROVE INTO THE DITCH TO AVOID OTHER CARS. SHE HAS WITNESSES WHO ACTUALLY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THEY WITNESSED THE EVENT. SERVICE CENTER INVESTIGATED, TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE AND THERE WAS NO SUCCESS IN JUST DECREASING AND LUBRICATING THE OLD GAS LINKAGE ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. THEY RECOMMENDED I REPLACE IT AND PAY FOR IT. I DID UNDER PROTEST FOR MY DAUGHTER SINCE THIS IS A "LIFE OR DEATH" SITUATION THAT SHOULD NOT BE OURS TO PAY FOR. HAD THE LINE KINKED, BENT OR BEEN DAMAGED IN ANY WAY TO CAUSE SUCH A PROBLEM, I BELIEVE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE. HOWEVER TO HAVE THEM SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND CAN ONLY FIX IT BY PUTTING ON NEW GAS PEDAL LINES SOUND LIKE A "HUGE" DEFECT TO ME. I WANT AN INVESTIGATION AND WE HAVE THE OLD PART. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Jun 29, 20062,164 milesNJ

MY 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS-BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE BRAKES WHEN HITTING A BUMP. IT APPEARS LAND ROVER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE PAST. PLEASE REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V005000. THE VEHICLE IS A HAZARD TO ME, MY FAMILY, AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER AS I'M CONCERNED WITH EVERYON'ES WELL-BEING, ESPECIALLY MINE. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *NM

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed May 8, 2006IL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE LEAKS. THERE IS WATER DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND TO THE LEATHER INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAKAGE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED TWICE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE LEAK. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Latch
Filed Feb 5, 20052,000 milesCA

IN 09-2004 PURCHASED LAND ROVER 2004 DISCOVERY, AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND LAND ROVER CSR THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY 2004 HAS A DOOR CHECKER AS A SAFETY DEVICE ON TAIL GATE DOOR WHICH IS SHARP AND SWINGS CLOSED. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE. THERE IS NO SAFETY LATCH FOR DISCOVERY VEHICLE TAIL GATE DOORS-I OFFERED TO PAY AND NOTHING IS AVAILABLE. THEY SAID THAT IT IS ONLY REQUIRED TO STAY OPEN ON FLAT LAND WITH NO WIND. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, REDWOOD SHORES WHERE THE WHOLE TOWN IS FLAT AND THE WEATHER IS MILD THIS DOOR HAS ALMOST KILLED ME TWICE. I FEEL THIS CAR DOES NOT COMPLY WITH SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS REASON. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed Sep 27, 20047,500 milesPA

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT DISENGAGE DUE TO BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING. THE PART WAS REPAIRED TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Jun 21, 2004NY

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND TURNING TO THE LEFT CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR . THERE WERE NO BRAKES . VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

All 29 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261100Routine
20250200Routine
20248510Routine
20237600Routine
202211600Routine
202111600Routine
202019601Fatalities reported
201939400Routine
201837400Routine
201755310Routine
20165000Routine
20062000Routine
2004 — this page29020Routine
200348120Routine
200217030Routine
200113110Routine
200030120Routine
199917310Routine
199833240Routine
199735220Routine
199665300Routine
199549463Fatalities reported
199415210Routine

Compare every Discovery year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.