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2001 Land Rover Discovery: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 6 recalls on file for the 2001 Land Rover Discovery[1][2]. Brakes top the complaint list, and the EPA rates the car at 13 MPG combined[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 44 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 14 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 18 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. Here is how the complaints split by component group.
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes[3] | 11 | 3 | 83,500 |
| Engine[5] | 8 | 0 | 84,500 |
| Speed control[6] | 6 | 3 | not listed |
| Power train[7] | 6 | 4 | 83,000 |
| Suspension[8] | 5 | 3 | not listed |
| Electrical system[9] | 5 | 0 | 65,000 |
| Steering[10] | 2 | 2 | not listed |
| Visibility[11] | 2 | 0 | not listed |
Brakes. In a sample of brake complaints we read, owners describe the ABS, traction control and hill descent warning lights coming on together. Several of them also describe weak or lost braking[3]. Brake complaints include 3 crashes and no injuries[3].
Speed control. The 6 speed control complaints include 3 crashes and 3 injuries[6]. In the sample we read, 5 of the 6 texts describe the vehicle surging forward or the throttle sticking[6]. Two owners say they were told their vehicle was not part of a recall[6].
Power train. In the sample we read, owners describe vehicles rolling away after being parked, and driveshafts failing or coming apart. There are 4 crashes among the 6 power train complaints[7].
Engine. Owners in the sample describe coolant or fluid leaks, overheating and smoke from under the hood. Some say their vehicle was left out of an engine-area recall[5]. One of the 8 engine complaints mentions a fire[5].
Suspension. There are only 5 suspension complaints, but they carry 13 injuries and 3 crashes[8]. We did not read texts for this group, so we cannot say what failed.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first[2]:
- ABS valve cover bolts (04V005). Dated 2004-01-06, covering up to 100,174 vehicles[12]. The retaining bolts on the ABS modulator valve covers can crack. That can lengthen stopping distance and could cause total loss of service braking and a crash. Dealers strengthen the valve covers and replace the bolts[12].
- ACE pump fluid leak (04V006). Dated 2004-01-06, covering up to 5,264 vehicles[13]. A banjo bolt on the active cornering enhancement pump can loosen and let fluid leak. The fluid can ignite and cause an under-hood fire. Dealers check for leaks, then re-tighten the bolt or replace the bolt and washers[13].
- Accelerator cable (02V028). Dated 2002-01-23, covering up to 64,925 vehicles[14]. A kinked cable can chafe and break strands, which can leave the throttle stuck open and raise crash risk. Dealers inspect and replace damaged cables[14].
- ABS sensor (02V022). Dated 2002-01-22, covering up to 55,505 vehicles[15]. A contaminated ABS sensor can make the control unit misread the signal and lengthen braking distance unexpectedly. Dealers install a new control unit[15].
- Winch solenoid (01V229). Dated 2001-07-06, covering 21 vehicles[16] with certain Warn Industries winch kits. A power interrupt solenoid can leak current to ground and overheat, which could lead to a fire. Dealers inspect and replace the solenoid if it is the defective one[16].
- Transmission park lock (00V377). Dated 2000-11-16, covering up to 59,445 vehicles[17]. Water in the automatic transmission oil can lead to various transmission failures. One of them can stop the park lock from working, so a car parked without the handbrake set could roll away. Dealers check the park lock, reposition the breather tube, and test and flush the fluid if needed[17].
Some owners in our complaint sample say their vehicle was not included in a recall[5][6]. Check your own VIN with NHTSA before assuming a car is covered.
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the 4.0L 8-cylinder with a 4-speed automatic, premium fuel and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive at 12 MPG city, 16 highway and 13 combined[4]. The EPA puts the estimated annual fuel cost at $6,300[4]. That estimate uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Engine and size
The EPA entry lists a 4.0L 8-cylinder engine[4]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the Discovery Series II 4-door SUV 4x4 and can differ slightly from US models[18].
How 2001 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 53 | 4 |
| 1996 | 75 | 3 |
| 1997 | 37 | 2 |
| 1998 | 33 | 1 |
| 1999 | 53 | 8 |
| 2000 | 70 | 10 |
| 2001 | 44 | 6 |
| 2002 | 51 | 3 |
| 2003 | 111 | 3 |
| 2004 | 51 | 1 |
| 2015 | 14 | 2 |
| 2016 | 57 | 2 |
| 2017 | 94 | 5 |
| 2018 | 59 | 5 |
| 2019 | 60 | 4 |
| 2020 | 32 | 10 |
| 2021 | 15 | 6 |
| 2022 | 15 | 6 |
| 2023 | 11 | 7 |
| 2024 | 8 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
NHTSA has 44 complaints and 6 recalls for 2001[2]. Across the 22 Discovery model years in our data, 11 have more complaints than 2001 and 10 have fewer[2]. The most is 111 complaints for 2003[2].
On recalls, 5 years have more than 2001: 1999 (8), 2000 (10), 2020 (10), 2023 (7) and 2024 (7)[2]. The years 2021 and 2022 tie at 6, and 14 years have fewer[2]. Our list has no years from 2005 to 2014. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Should you buy a used 2001 Discovery?
The record shows brake, throttle and drivetrain problems that are also the subject of recalls[12][14][15][17]. Ask for proof that each recall was done, and check the VIN with NHTSA, because some owners say their vehicle was not covered[5][6]. If the ABS, traction control and hill descent lights are on, have the brakes looked at before you buy[3]. Fuel use is high, with an EPA estimate of $6,300 a year[4]. Complaints are unverified reports and not a full picture of how any single car will behave[1].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Land Rover Discovery?
- Brakes have the most NHTSA complaints at 11, followed by engine with 8, then speed control and power train with 6 each[3][5][6][7].
- How many recalls does the 2001 Land Rover Discovery have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls, covering ABS parts, a pump fluid leak, the accelerator cable, a winch solenoid and the transmission park lock[2][12][13][14][15][16][17].
- What gas mileage does the 2001 Land Rover Discovery get?
- The EPA rates it at 12 city, 16 highway and 13 combined MPG, with premium fuel[4].
- How much does it cost to fuel a 2001 Discovery for a year?
- The EPA estimates $6,300 a year, based on its current fuel price assumptions[4].
- Did any 2001 Discovery complaints report deaths?
- No. NHTSA lists 0 deaths, with 14 complaints mentioning a crash and 18 injuries[1].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 44 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Land Rover Discovery (14 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 18 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Land Rover Discovery model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 11 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Discovery Series II, 4.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $6,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the suspension component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 13 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 04V005, filed January 6, 2004: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V006, filed January 6, 2004: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V028, filed January 23, 2002: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V022, filed January 22, 2002: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V229, filed July 6, 2001: Equipment › Mechanical › Winch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V377, filed November 16, 2000: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DISCOVERY SERIES II 4DR SUV 4X4 SD/LE/SE: length 185 in, width 74 in, height 76 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 4,575 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov