Anyone,

I’ve got a 03 Discovery with 40K on it. I have had SO many problems with the thing that I’m about to trade it in for something else. Don’t get me wrong I love the thing and it’s UNSTOPABLE off road.

I just feel like I could run the thing head on into a brick wall and not hurt it a bit, but drive around town for a few days and the thing just falls apart. Here is a list of everything that has gone wrong with it over the 4 months/10K miles I had it.

- AM/FM radio not working
- Wheel Speed sensor failure
- ECU replaced
- Cruise control reprogrammed twice –Still is jerky
- Faulty rear brakes
- Replaced serpentine belt (I think this was just normal maintenance though)
- Exhaust bolts/studs at the manifold broke and the entire system basically fell off
- Keyless entry stopped working
- Immobilizer malfunctioned
- Traction control malfunctioned SEVERAL times
- ABS would trigger for no reason on the road
- Now the ignition is screwed up and possibly the “Fuel sender”

There is more I’m sure, but I just can’t think of everything. The dealer has been GREAT I think I’ve only paid $150 total for the repairs and my service advisor is quite possibly the nicest person on the face of the earth, but still I feel like it’s ALWAYS in the shop. It’s not stuff that I break off-roading or whatever, it’s just crap the stops working. It’s just getting frustrating. What makes it worse is that it seems like something always breaks right before we take it on a trip with friends or something. The last 3 camping trips my wife and I are waiting for a call from the dealer on a Friday night before we are supposed to leave.

I’m about to spend $4400 on the extended warranty, but I’m wondering if I should just trade it for something else. I’m afraid to get another LR! Has anyone had these problems or feel the same way I do?

Brian

 

Sounds like you have had your share of problems, I wouldn't throw it away yet.
A number of items you have mentioned have been common one time repairs for Discos and will probably not happen again.
Obne thing, if you keep it and before it goes out of warranty do look into an extended warranty. Your dealer is gouging you a bit on their quote. Usually the extended warrantys run in the low $3000 range depending on the extra mileage and years added on. What exactly were they quoting you on.
I used to work as a service manager for Rover as well as many other dealers and if you want to PM me your telephone number we can talk.
Mike

 

Thats too bad you have been having all these problems. I havent had any issues with my LR yet. I know the 2003 and up are suppossed to be more reliable LR due to all the pressure Ford has been putting on LR to become more reliable.
I really havent taken my LR to do any extreme off-roading like maybe you have. I have only driven it around the city and I love it. Soon I will be going up to Dahlonega Georgia to do some off-roading.
But some of the problems you have had sounds as if they were due to off-roading. But the good thing is that you have only paid 150. Thats nothing.

 

Yeah $150 is NOT bad and really the service has been A+! So no complaints there. I'd just rather be driving it then getting service all the time. I love the truck, I really do. I spent the weekend camping with friends in a 4-Runner and an Expedition. After spending time in those trucks I REALLY missed my Disco.

Anyway, I get it back from the dealer today. Turns out that it was just a worn plug wire. So, maybe I jumped the gun a little bit on my rant. Oh well.

Brian

 

Well with Land Rovers, you might as well trade it in for...............another Land Rover. They are so hit or miss. The one you got is a psycho one, but the next one will likely be trouble free. It is very interesting. But try not to let this one truck smudge your whole view on the entire Land Rover family. If you really want something else get it, but I am just saying that LR's are soooo finicky, if you got another you may not have nearly as many problems.....good luck with your decision!

 

I feel for you. I have had thoughts recently of tradeing mine in, but I think I will keep it for a while longer. My '98 has been having its share of problems, and while they are not particularly expensive, I am getting quite tired of being without a vehicle so often. My problems also usually happen just before a trip or just before I am going to show the vehicle to some of my friends (who I have told in great detail how good it is off-road).

 

Man, I know it's frustrating. I keep thinking, "Now that *this* is fixed I shouldn't have any more problems..." Then something else breaks. Oh well. Since I've gotten it back I remember how much I love that truck and would be hard pressed to be happy with anything else. It's just an amazing vehicle,

I've always driven VW's up to this point and I felt the same way about those cars. I drove American cars, Honda's, Toyota's, Mazda's etc... and NOTHING could touch those VW's. I could NEVER buy any other car now. Once my wifes car dies I'm buying another VW. I can't see buying anything else. <-- Of course I'm talking about things in it's class. I'd LOVE an Audi or BMW or something like that.

I'm rambling.....

Brian

 

Yep... I have been having the same, "Well all fixed up for now," experiance. I am currently in the middle of replacing the radiator; hopefully that will be all for a while.

Either way, I do love the rovers; I get angry with it every time it breaks down, but then when I start to think of replacing it, the vehicles I come up with for replacement are always newer rovers... so I guess that says something (not sure exactly what though).

 

I'm right there with ya. I took it off-roading after work lastnight... rubbed the dash swore I'd never trade it in. The only guy who had anything on me lastnight was the guy in the Rubicon. Other then that, my Disco was just EATING everything out there, while I relaxed in my leather seats with the AC on. The other guys we're all dirty and hot in thier jacked up pickups. Please. Some people will never learn.

Well, I should be fair and say I WAS the only one concerned about my body work/paint. So I guess that was a dissadvantage. That made me feel like a pansy.

Brian