Head-to-head reliability
LAND Rover Discovery vs Toyota Camry
How the LAND Rover Discovery and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
LAND Rover Discovery vs Toyota Camry: The Discovery has 316 complaints (31.6/year) and 43 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. Discovery issues often involve sudden power loss, whereas Camry problems are more frequent but less severe. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the LAND Rover Discovery or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
LAND Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery is a luxury SUV that demands careful ownership. Over 10 years, it has 316 complaints (31.6 per year) and 43 recalls, with electrical and engine issues dominating. Owners report sudden power loss, repeated 12V battery failures, and water intrusion causing electrical damage. These problems can leave you stranded and are often expensive to fix.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a strong reputation, but NHTSA data shows 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6 per year) and 31 recalls. The most common issues involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and key removal problems. While many complaints exist, the Camry's issues are generally less severe than the Land Rover's sudden shutdowns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | LAND Rover Discovery | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 316 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 43 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 31.6 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
LAND Rover Discovery
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM101
- 02ENGINE78
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER62
- 04POWER TRAIN41
- 05STRUCTURE33
Owners report recurring 12V battery failures, with one owner replacing the battery three times. There are also reports of DC-DC converter failures causing sudden complete power loss while driving, which can be dangerous.
Complaints include sudden loss of power due to DC-DC converter failure and water intrusion leading to electrical damage. Some owners report the engine randomly fails to start, leaving them stranded.
The same DC-DC converter failure that affects the engine also appears in power train complaints, causing sudden shutdowns. This suggests a systemic issue that can affect multiple systems.
Water intrusion through the windshield, roof rails, and rear door latch is reported, leading to electrical damage and safety system failures. This can cause rust and expensive repairs.
“2021 Land Rover Discovery 48V mild hybrid (MHEV). Recurring 12V system failures: repeated depleted/dead 12V batteries and no-start events. The 12V battery has failed and been replaced three times during my ownership (two documented at a franchised Land Rover…”
“I am filing a safety complaint regarding a sudden and complete loss of power event while driving my 2021 Land Rover Discovery. The vehicle experienced a DC-DC converter failure with no warning, resulting in a sudden shutdown. The engine lost power, critical s…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key becoming stuck and unable to be removed even when the car is in Park. Others experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with the check engine light on.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be a safety concern when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow. Owners also report a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which dealers say is common but feels abnormal.
Multiple safety systems, including vehicle stability control, electric power steering, and blind spot monitoring, can malfunction simultaneously. This could compromise safety if it occurs while driving.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
LAND Rover Discovery — 43 recalls
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Land Rover Discovery vehicles. Water may not be able to drain away from the rearview camera due to insufficient drain holes, which may result in damage to the rearview camera.
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will drill additional drain holes in the underside of the tailgate trim. Additionally, dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mai…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Defender, 2024 Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The oil filter housing can crack and leak oil into the engine compartment.
The risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the filter housing, oil filter, and o-rings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall i…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land…
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the central software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's cu…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
LAND Rover Discovery or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Land Rover Discovery has far fewer complaints per year (31.6) than the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the Land Rover's issues are often more severe, including sudden power loss. The Camry's higher complaint count reflects its much larger sales volume, but its problems are typically less catastrophic. In practice, the Land Rover may spend more time in the shop for serious electrical and engine faults, while the Camry may have more frequent but less disabling issues.
Key differences
- The Land Rover Discovery has 43 recalls vs. 31 for the Camry, but the Discovery's recalls include critical items like DC-DC converter and air bags.
- Discovery owners report sudden power loss while driving, a severe safety issue; Camry owners more often report hesitation, shuddering, and key removal problems.
- Electrical system complaints are the top category for the Discovery (101), while power train complaints lead for the Camry (385).
- The Discovery has 5 crash-related complaints and 2 injuries; the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, but these numbers are influenced by the much larger number of Camrys on the road.
- Check for any signs of water intrusion around the windshield, roof rails, and rear door, as this can lead to electrical damage.
- Test the 12V battery and charging system; ask if the DC-DC converter has been replaced, as failures can cause sudden power loss.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could be a recurring problem requiring battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who specializes in the brand, focusing on the specific problem areas noted.
- For the Land Rover, ask for records of battery replacements and DC-DC converter repairs.
- For the Camry, test drive at various speeds to check for hesitation or shuddering, and test all electronic safety systems.
- Budget for potential repairs: Land Rover electrical fixes can be costly, while Camry brake and power train issues may also require attention.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | LAND Rover Discovery | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 7 | 50 |
| 2023 | 7 | 64 |
| 2022 | 9 | 61 |
| 2021 | 11 | 157 |
| 2020 | 18 | 274 |
| 2019 | 38 | 395 |
| 2018 | 37 | 744 |
| 2017 | 188 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific LAND Rover Discovery or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- LAND Rover Discovery vs Toyota Camry
- LAND Rover Discovery total complaints
- 316
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- LAND Rover Discovery total recalls
- 43
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- LAND Rover Discovery avg complaints/year
- 31.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- LAND Rover Discovery
- LAND Rover Discovery top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN