I own a 2003 Land Rover discovery SE. This vehicle only has 57,000 miles and has been very well maintained. Recently I noticed a tap coming from the engine. I immediately took it over to the local Land Rover dealer. After a couple of days, I was informed that it needed a new engine in order to fix this problem, at a cost of $14,000. What a joke! there is a widespread problem with these trucks maintaining adequate oil pressure in order to keep them running properly. Once again the consumer gets the shaft. I am now stuck, along with a lot of other lr owners, faced with a huge repair bill. This matter should have been looked into as a possible recall.

- Brick, NJ, USA

I have a 2003 Land Rover discovery. I just paid to replace the oil pump only to find out that Land Rover published a technical alert that states the only way to fix the issue is to replace the entire engine. Dowel pins on the block are misaligned due to a manufacturer error per the alert. The vehicle only has 58K miles and has been meticulously maintained. Land Rover is not offering to cover any of the repair costs even though it was a manufacturer error from the start.

- Lagrange, KY, USA

I have a 2003 Land Rover that just passed 50 K and started ticking from the engine. I took it to the dealer and they told me that I had a oil pump failure and I need a new engine. That will cost 8000$. why do we have to pay that amount of money when the manufacturer has hundreds of these failures.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

2003 Land Rover Discovery II experienced sudden oil pump failure which will require an entire engine replacement. This problem was recognized as a manufacturing error per a Land Rover technical alert TA03 1201 issued in 2003 but was not divulged to the public and has not generated a recall. The manufacturer refuses to significantly assist with replacement despite their previous identified error and clear consumer expectation that oil pump malfunctions and/or engine replacements are not expected after 5 years/60K miles of use with a normally maintained engine.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

I was driving my '03 Land Rover Discovery II home from work and it suddenly died. It restarted about an hour later so I drove it to the auto shop. They, after talking with Land Rover directly, said the engine wasn't getting enough oil and we would need a new engine!!! we get our Land Rover serviced very regularly so there shouldn't be any issues like this especially for an '03 with 70,000 miles. With the way the economy is, this is ridiculous! now they're telling us we have to pay $5,000 for a used engine with 40,000 miles. I noticed a ton of other people had this same problem with the oil pump from the '03 land rovers. Help!!!

- Syracuse, IN, USA

In the fall of 2007, at approx. 75,000 miles I began to notice a periodic rhythmic tapping from the engine of my 2003 Land Rover discovery 2. my mechanic suggested using a thicker grade oil. The noise quieted briefly then returned more consistently, beginning as soon as the vehicle would warm up. In December, after consulting with local Land Rover dealer service, my mechanic removed the cylinder heads, "de-coked" the valves, replaced gaskets, bolts, lifters, spark plugs, plug wires and drive belt at a cost of $2340. The noise continued. In may of 2008, after more research and consulting, my mechanic disassembled the engine, replaced lifters, checked the camshaft, end float and push rods, substituted the rocker arm assemblies -- unable to find a clear link, the engine was reassembled. This time the bill was $903.26. My mechanic, who known for 10 years and trust completely was baffled. Sensing a underlying oil pressure issue, he once again consulted a local Land Rover dealer service department -- they then mentioned a problem Land Rover had been having with a badly machined oil pump housing. We researched the problem and in fact found (posted on the internet by another 2003 discovery owner) an internal technical alert detailing a manufacturing error in the oil pump housing that may lead to failure. Replacement of the complete engine was the only recommended resolution. The cost of which is approx. $10,000. Worried that my vehicle would shut down at any minute, I returned to the dealer where I purchased it - they offered me $1,000 as a trade in for a new vehicle. And then told me I shouldn't be driving it in that condition. My vehicle is now worthless due to the damage caused by a critical part that was discovered to be faulty by the manufacturer while I was just 7 months into my 5 yr./50,000 mile warranty. I believe that the manufacturer should be held accountable for repairing the damage. 8tr

- Bel Air, MD, USA

Oil pump failure resulting in complete engine replacement....noticed car oil leak coming from car and about 2 days later check engine light & oil pressure light came on, took to dealership...dealership discovered oil pump failure and of course only remedy is a complete engine replacement. Advised dealership about technical alert issued on 3/14/03 in reference to manufacturer defect which causes the oil pump failure and all I was told was "sorry, we cannot cover this...your warranty has expired and the new engine will cost $11,000....gave no offer of help, advised that I come get car..I guess I will have to get car from dealership with a tow truck!

- Lexington, NC, USA

Land Rover has issued a "technical alert" dated March 14, 2003 coded TA03 1201 to the attention of service managers, service advisors, and technicians. The alert states that "oil pump failures on 2003 discovery series II vehicles may be the result of a manufacturing error. Locating dowel pins may be slightly misaligned permitting assembly of the oil pump to the engine block, but placing stress on the pump housing which can ultimately lead to leakage or failure." They go on to say this could cause complete engine failure! the resolution proposed by Land Rover is "...the only effective repair currently available is replacement of the complete engine assembly..." in short the engine could suddenly and completely fail. I have not seen any recall issued related to this matter. I do not want to be driving on the highway and have a complete engine failure. What is going to be done about this situation?

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

Upon seeing the low oil pressure light illuminate, I researched online to see what may be the cause. I then discovered that Land Rover had issued a technical alert (TA03-1201) on March 14, 2003 stating the following issue and resolution: 2003 discovery series II oil pump failures vehicles affected discovery series II (lt) 3A771801 " 3A808362 situation oil pump failures on 2003 discovery series II vehicles may be the result of a manufacturing error. Locating dowel pins may be slightly misaligned permitting assembly of the oil pump to the engine block, but placing stress on the pump housing which can ultimately lead to leakage or failure. Resolution whenever an oil pump failure is encountered on vehicles within the above VIN range the only effective repair currently available is replacement of the complete engine assembly including the front cover/oil pump manufactured to the latest tolerances. Use the following components to affect a repair: ? lbb112301 4.6 engine assembly lev " lbb111461 4.6 engine assembly non-lev I checked my VIN number and found it to be within the effected vehicles. I delivered the car to the dealership Land Rover of the gulfcoast, mobile, al)where I was informed by the service manager that my vehicle oil pump failure was due to the exact reason as stated in the technical alert and that I should contact the national headquarters of Land Rover to seek a resolution to this matter. The technical alert states that this problem is due to a manufacturer's design flaw and also gives the redesigned required replacement parts (which is the replacement of the entire engine assembly). Land Rover refused to make good in this matter. I then contacted the dealership and the service manager then contacted the headquarters on my behalf to get the same refusal. As I previously stated, this was due to manufacturer's defect as per their admission in the technical alert and not normal wear and tear.

- Mobile, AL, USA

We bought a new 2003 Land Rover Discovery II from Land Rover of milford, ct in 12/03. We have changed the oil faithfully every 3,000 miles and had the necessary services done and were at 44,724 miles. We were driving home from vt a month ago and the oil light went on. I immediately stopped and checked the oil, which was full. I turned on the car and the engine immediately started making a strange sound. I called Land Rover roadside assistance and our warranty had expired 28 days prior to this. We had it flat bedded home to Connecticut immediately. Then we had it flat bedded to the dealership. The oil pump had blown and the engine had seized. At first they said they would not pay for it as it was no longer under warranty. I did extensive research on the internet regarding this problem and found out there was a problem with the oil pumps on the 03 discovery models and in fact there was a technical recall for that year. When we asked the service manager about that, he said that if it was a faulty oil pump it would have blown by 20,000 miles and not gone to 44,000 miles. We sent them documentation of all the services we have had done on the car and they agreed to pay for half of the cost of the engine. We still don't have a car, as they have still not received an engine. (and they did not offer us a loaner car for the interim). Now today I was doing further research and found on the edmunds website 3 other 03 discovery it's with 40,000, 57,000 and 60,000 miles on the engines that had the exact same thing happen. So obviously it is a manufacturing defect if it is happening to so many cars. And that is just the ones we know about on the edmunds website forum.

- Southport, CT, USA

As I was driving down the road, the oil light came on and the engine began to make loud clanging noise. As I began to pull over, the car stalled. I called Land Rover customer service and was informed that although I was still under the mileage, that my warranty had expired 5 days earlier. I had the car towed to local Land Rover dealer and was informed that Land Rover would not cover the vehicle. The dealer concluded that vehicle needs a new motor. An independent Land Rover repair facility has concluded that engine failure was the result of oil pump failure. Land Rover issued a technical bulletin on March 14, 2003 stating that engine failures on '03 and '04 discovery are the result of manufacturing error on the oil pump. Vehicle still needs a new motor, Land Rover has been very uncooperative even when presented with the tech alert (TA03 1201). I am 2 months with out a vehicle. Car is available for inspection.

- Escondido, CA, USA

My 2003 Land Rover discovery received its scheduled 60K service then at 65K the oil pump failed and caused a catastrophic failure of the engine. Although there are several documented cases similar to mine Land Rover does not accept responsibility or plan to recall. The consumer is left with a potential danger and considerable financial burden. I have tried to resolve this with Land Rover who at this time is not willing to help or take responsibility. At this time I can not recommend the Land Rover line of vehicles to anyone after owning one my self for the last 12 years.

- Eglin, FL, USA

Oil pump failure at 60K miles.

- Fpo, AE, USA

After owning my brand new 2003 Land Rover discovery for about 5 weeks, I was driving on a highway when the oil light came on. Within seconds the vehicle began making and odd noise. I pulled off to the side of the highway and by the time I got out of the vehicle, it was on fire. The entire front end of the vehicle burnt off. Land Rover has refused to take responsibility for their defective vehicle and will do nothing about this situation. In addition, everyone that I have dealt with at Land Rover has been rude, inconsiderate and evasive. They have also refused to pay for the personal items that were in the vehicle and damaged because of the fire.

- Baldwin, MI, USA