2002 Land rover Discovery problems
The Land Rover Discovery is a series of seven-seater family SUVs, produced under the Land Rover marque, from the British manufacturer Land Rover, and later Jaguar Land Rover. The series is currently in its fifth iteration (or generation, according to the manufacturer), the first of which was introduced in 1989, making the Discovery the first new model series since the launch of the 1970 Range Rover – on which it was based – and only the third new product line since the conception of the Land Rover (vehicle and brand) by Rover in 1948. The model is sometimes called influential, as one of the first to market a true off-road capable family car.
Although the Range Rover had originally been designed as an everyday four wheel drive car that could be used as both a utility vehicle and a family car, it had progressively moved upmarket through its life to evolve into a luxury vehicle sold at a much higher price point. The Discovery was intended to fulfill the role the Range Rover originally was intended for; a segment which was now dominated by Japanese rivals such as the Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Land Cruiser. Although positioned below the Range Rover in the company's line-up, the vehicle was both longer and higher, offered more room in the back, and optionally also more seats. Space utilization became more sophisticated in later iterations, but the series keeps offering seats for seven occupants. Despite originally being sold as an affordable alternative to the Range Rover, the Discovery has also progressively moved upmarket through its successive generations to become a bonafide luxury SUV.
The second Discovery (1998) was called the Series II, and though featuring an extended rear body, was otherwise an updated facelift, which carried on the 100 in (2,540 mm) wheelbase frame and rigid, live front and rear axles of the original Range Rover into 2004.
The third iteration – succeeding the series I and II in 2004 - was either titled the Discovery 3 or simply LR3 (in North America and the Middle East). This was the first all-original design for the Discovery. Although it followed the 2002 third generation Range Rover, also switching to fully independent suspension, it still received a separate, but integrated body and frame (IBF) structure. The fourth iteration, as of 2009 – like the series II, was again mainly an update of the new generation – marketed as the Discovery 4, or Land Rover LR4 for North American and Middle Eastern markets.
The fifth iteration of the Discovery, introduced in 2017, no longer sports a numeric suffix. Unlike the previous two generations, it now benefits from a unitized body structure, making it lighter than its predecessor.
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Common 2002 Land rover Discovery problems
The Land Rover Discovery 2, produced between 1998 and 2004, is known for its unique design and off-road capabilities
. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported.
One of the most significant issues with the Land Rover Discovery 2 is the all-wheel-drive system, which has been described as chaotic and poorly designed
. The torque is constantly transmitted to all four wheels through the center differential, which was not equipped with a lock until 2001, making it difficult to activate the lock without leaving the salon
. The center differential lock was removed from the list of equipment in 2001 and returned only in 2004, with full civilized management
The Discovery 2 is equipped with two rigid axles, which guarantee reliability, durability, and good performance on the ground but perform worse on asphalt surfaces
. The steering is quite precise, and handling is better than the Mitsubishi Pajero, but driving the discovery can be challenging due to the high center of gravity, which makes it feel like the car is about to tip over
The Discovery 2 has an unusual design and needs specialized service, but consumables are available and quite cheap
. However, serious investments will require specific equipment, such as an air suspension compressor or an AC valve block
The engine is another area where the Discovery 2 has some common problems. The oil filler cap can be installed into the engine, coolant reservoir, and radiator, causing impurities and deposits that can damage the engine
. The 4.0 and 4.6-liter petrol engines have British roots and are known for premature wear on bearings and heads
. Many gasoline units have been converted to run on liquefied gas, and all motors have a timing chain drive
. Common problems include oil leaks from under the camshaft seals, leakage from under the engine and transmission seals, and issues with the fuel pressure regulator leaking diesel.
The Discovery 2's suspension, transmission, and electrics are the weak points, responsible for over 60% of all claims, and the car has performed poorly in JD Power surveys, consistently scoring badly in certain important areas, such as mechanical reliability and exterior build quality.
In summary, the Land Rover Discovery 2 has several common problems, including issues with the all-wheel-drive system, engine, suspension, transmission, and electrics. These issues can be costly to repair and require specialized service, making the Discovery 2 a more expensive option than Japanese SUVs in the long run
What are the main problems with Land Rover Discovery?
What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Discovery 4x4?
- Reason for recall: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) feature will not be available.
- Reason for recall: The fuel return hose may leak. ...
- Reason for recall: Vehicles failed to routinely achieve the required levels of CO2 emissions.
How long will a 2002 Land Rover Discovery last?
A land rover should last about 13 years with good care and repair. Prepare for some extra costs along the way. But if you're willing to put in the work, you'll be able to enjoy your Land Rover for many years.
Is Land Rover Discovery a reliable car?
The Discovery is notorious for being one of the least reliable models in Land Rover's lineup. As such, we can't recommend a model that is almost three decades old, even with good mileage and price. CarComplaints.com have listed 68 complaints and four recalls for the 1995 Discovery.
Is Land Rover Discovery high maintenance?
A Land Rover Discovery will cost about $16,485 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This is more than the industry average for luxury SUV models by $771. There is also a 49.63% chance that a Discovery will require a major repair during that time.
2002 Land rover Discovery complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2002 Land rover Discovery.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2002 Land rover Discovery problems:
Discovery 2 (2002-2004). Are they as unreliable as claimed? - Page ...
Jun 28, 2016 ... Other problems include simple ones like de-laminated air intake hoses, and annoying ones like EGR valve failure, which are pretty common on ...
Thinking about buying a discovery II - Land Rover Forums - Land ...
Aug 18, 2012 ... 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series II. Average ... known to block out warning lights on the dash to hide problems. ... Common issues arise at around ...
How reliable would a high mile, 2002–2004 Range Rover Discovery ...
Dec 19, 2016 ... They do not have anything close to average reliability. Range Rovers / Land Rovers are consistently at the very bottom of every reliability and ...
?LIST? Most common issues with disco II and what parts would you ...
Jan 12, 2012 ... The more common things on this forum are dead battery (any age), battery terminals, overheating, coolant leaks, coolant tanks cracking, locking ...
Land Rover Discover series 2 reliability. : r/LandRover
Sep 25, 2020 ... They're pretty damned reliable as long as you keep on top of maintenance. When I bought mine it had a couple of issues, including getting hotter ...
Other years of Land rover Discovery
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