Discovery Sport (2002)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.5-V6-Gas
2.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Land Rover Discovery Sport Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Land Rover Discovery Sport, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport
On a used 2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (130), the cooling system (121) and the transmission and drivetrain (83). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the engine.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 121 owner complaints on the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the cooling system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 83 owner complaints on the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the electrical system.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the brakes.
Recalls (3)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. HILL DESCENT CONTROL (HDC), TRACTION CONTROL (TC) AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS MAY ALSO BE ILLUMINATED.
ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT MARGINALLY ABOVE THE PERMITTED 1000 HEAD IMPACT CRITERIA. AT THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
Alternatives in Compact SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport complaints?
Owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the transmission.
Is the 2002-2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport have?
NHTSA has 226 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2002-2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Land Rover Discovery Sport?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Discovery Sport have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Sport. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 226 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.