Land Rover Defender, Discovery Recall R/2003/180: Possible Loss Of Service Brake, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 31 Mar 2004
- Launched
- 59,616
- vehicles in the UK
- ABD148
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Land Rover recalled Defender, Discovery vehicles built between 1 October 1998 and 1 December 2003. A potential fluid leak from the brake modulator may result in a reduction in the efficiency of the service brake or in the worst case complete failure of the service brake system. The recall notice describes the fix as: recall all potentially affected vehicles and fit stronger valve covers to the brake modulator. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
A potential fluid leak from the brake modulator may result in a reduction in the efficiency of the service brake or in the worst case complete failure of the service brake system.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBLE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKE Defect: A potential fluid leak from the brake modulator may result in a reduction in the efficiency of the service brake or in the worst case complete failure of the service brake system. Remedy: Recall all potentially affected vehicles and fit stronger valve covers to the brake modulator.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in a reduction in the efficiency of the service brake or in the worst case complete failure of the service brake system.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: recall all potentially affected vehicles and fit stronger valve covers to the brake modulator.
Are You Affected?
Defender, Discovery built between 1 October 1998 and 1 December 2003 may be included. Land Rover estimates 59,616 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Land Rover, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Land Rover.
- Book with any franchised Land Rover dealer, quoting the campaign code ABD148 or the DVSA reference R/2003/180. See how to get a Land Rover recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defender, Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and 1 moreD6 idler pulley clash | Low | R/2026/241 | |
| Defender, Discovery, Range RoverDriver’s airbag potential Non-Deployment | Urgent | R/2026/245 | |
| Defender, DiscoveryDefender and Discovery 2026 model year fuel tank wall thickness | Urgent | R/2026/177 | |
| Defender, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover VelarE-PACE F-PACE Defender Discovery Sport Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar PHEV traction battery fire risk | Urgent | R/2025/553 | |
| DefenderDefender third row lower seat belt anchorage bracket | Urgent | R/2026/115 |
This is one of 159 Land Rover recalls in DVSA’s data. The Land Rover recall launched before it was R/2003/179 on 31 Mar 2004, for possibility of underbonnet fire. The one launched after it was R/2004/076 on 11 Aug 2004, for possibility of the left hand child lock disengaging. You can also see every Land Rover recall, all recalls launched in 2004 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2003/180, launched 31 March 2004. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.