LAND Rover Discovery Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

Our DC converter caused an electrical malfunction which is apparently such a big problem that our dealership can not get the necessary parts to fix the problem. We are being told we are number 21 in line.

DC/DC converter failed (January 2025) and is sitting at the dealership. My vehicle completely shut down while I was driving on the interstate. I had the same issue in April 2024 and was without my vehicle for nearly 2 months.

DC DC converter failed while driving. Car shut down and rolled to a stop. Could jump start the car but would only work for 10 seconds or so to move it out of traffic. 1-2 month part delay.

The DC-DC converter went out in December. The vehicle has 53,000 miles on it, so it is just out of warranty. I live 100 miles from the nearest dealership so I had it towed to a local shop. I was originally told the part was on back order until Mid-February. I was told yesterday, they think it may not be available until May 2026. If this is such a big issue that they can not keep up with the part, why is this not a recall item?

Perrelli Scorpion 255/55R20 tires experience experience excessive wear down to cords in under 15K miles. Tires are in adequate to support the weight of the vehicle.

Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a safety issue with my 2023 Land Rover Discovery Metropolitan that occurred on April [XXX] 2024. VIN: [XXX] The issue involved the steering wheel locking unexpectedly. After parking the car overnight for 15 hours, I returned to find a message indicating lane departure assist wasn't working, and the steering wheel was completely locked and inoperable. I attempted various troubleshooting steps, including changing driving modes, restarting the car, and checking for software updates, but none resolved the problem. While the car functioned normally in terms of forward and backward movement, the locked steering wheel prevented any turning ability. There were also no warning lights or error messages displayed on the dashboard. The only solution I found was to perform a hard reset by disconnecting the negative battery cable for 3 minutes and then reconnecting it. It's concerning that a similar issue appears to be reported by other Land Rover owners online, particularly with Defender models. [XXX] My primary concern is the possibility of this malfunction occurring while driving, which could lead to a serious accident. There seems to be no guarantee that this isn't a potential risk. I will be in contact with the Land Rover dealership locally and urge NHTSA to investigate this potential safety concern with Land Rover vehicles. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was in a parking lot adjusting settings via the touch screen when the vehicle suddenly deactivated the key fob rendering the vehicle useless. The only option was to get the spare key to start the vehicle. This presents a safety issue for all occupants if the vehicle is disabled because of a malfunction with the key, potentially leaving people stranded in a unsafe environment.

The contact owns a 2021 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V248000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer retrieved several fault codes associated with the power supply failure and DC Converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired because there was no repair available for the DC-DC converter failure. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,029.

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 dealer and an independent shop), plus a prior replacement under the previous owner per the vehicle history report. Symptoms: the vehicle will not start without a jump, repeated low-battery and SOS/telematics warnings, blank infotainment display, and full battery depletion after the vehicle sits unused for as little as 3 days, even with a battery maintainer in use. Dealer cloud diagnosis confirmed two contributing faults. First, elevated parasitic/quiescent current draw from control modules not entering proper sleep state, measured at 1.6A versus a normal value near 0.01A. Second, inadequate 12V charging. The dealer replaced the 12V and telematics backup batteries and applied software updates to multiple modules (including TCU and BCM), yet the failures recurred. This VIN has an open safety recall on MHEVs (NHTSA 26V-248, manufacturer D126) describing a DCDC converter internal fault that causes loss of 12V system charging and a "Stop Safely, Electrical Fault Detected" warning, with potential loss of motive power, coasting to a stop, and loss of exterior lighting. The remedy is not yet available. Safety risk: loss of 12V charging and battery depletion can cause stalling, loss of motive power in traffic, no-start and stranding, and loss of lighting, all of which increase crash risk. On one occasion the vehicle barely started after sitting at an airport lot, nearly leaving my family stranded. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by both a franchised dealer and an independent service center. The vehicle and the failed batteries are available for inspection on request. Warning messages first appeared before the current failure and have recurred across multiple battery replacements.

Supplement / update to prior NHTSA complaints regarding my 2021 Land Rover Discovery MHEV (VIN: [XXX] y prior complaints, Jaguar Land Rover has issued Recall 26V248 for DC/DC converter failure leading to loss of propulsion in 2021–2024 Land Rover Discovery MHEV vehicles. My vehicle experienced the same real-world failure condition: sudden loss of propulsion in traffic with my children in the vehicle. Jaguar Land Rover corporate has stated my VIN is not included in the recall population despite my vehicle being a 2021 Discovery MHEV and experiencing the same defect condition. I am submitting additional documentary evidence from Jaguar Land Rover Portland showing that during the repair process: * I was advised the vehicle would only run while connected to external jumper power and would shut off once that external power was removed. * Two days later, I was advised the installed battery would only charge to 6 volts and that another battery was needed to continue testing. These communications raise concern that this failure event involved broader electrical consequences and further support that my vehicle experienced the same defect condition described in Recall 26V248. The dealership ultimately completed repairs and charged me for the failure, while JLR maintains my VIN is excluded. I am requesting NHTSA review whether my VIN was improperly excluded from the recall population and whether the affected vehicle population should be expanded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 systems went offline, and I was unable to shift the vehicle into neutral. The vehicle became immobilized in active traffic, creating a dangerous situation. This incident occurred without warning and left me with no ability to safely move the vehicle out of traffic or rely on normal emergency functions. This presents a serious safety hazard to both the driver and others on the road. The vehicle has been at the dealership since mid-January 2026. The dealer has stated that the DC-DC failure caused additional component failures. However, no root cause has been identified beyond “internal failure,” and I have not been provided confirmation that the system has been properly tested or that the issue will not recur. I am concerned that this failure can cause cascading electrical issues, including loss of the 12V system, impacting multiple critical vehicle functions at once. The lack of a clear diagnosis and verified repair raises concerns about reliability and safety. Given the sudden loss of power, inability to move the vehicle, and absence of a confirmed root cause or validated repair, I am formally requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration open a defect investigation into the MHEV/DC-DC system. This failure creates a significant safety risk, including vehicles becoming immobilized in active traffic without warning. The risk of recurrence without a defined cause is especially concerning and may indicate a broader issue.

While driving my 2021 Land Rover Discovery (MHEV) in active traffic, the vehicle suddenly displayed an “Electrical system fault – Stop safely” warning. Immediately after the warning, the vehicle lost power and shut down, leaving me stalled in traffic with no ability to safely move the vehicle out of the roadway. There was no prior warning, no gradual degradation, and no driver-caused condition. The shutdown appeared to be related to the 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system, possibly involving the DC-DC converter or battery management system, which disabled critical vehicle functions. This failure created an immediate safety hazard. I was at risk of being rear-ended and had limited ability to safely exit traffic. The vehicle became effectively inoperable without warning, which is unacceptable in real-world driving conditions. What is especially concerning is that: •The warning instructed me to “stop safely,” yet the vehicle did not allow time or power to do so •There were no visible issues beforehand •The issue appears consistent with known Land Rover MHEV electrical failures •Software updates were present, but did not prevent the failure A sudden electrical shutdown in traffic poses a serious safety risk to drivers, passengers, and others on the road. This issue should be investigated for potential defect, recall, or mandatory repair, as it compromises safe vehicle operation.

MHEV vehicle is offline; car completely shut down, resulting in loss of power on the road.