LAND Rover Discovery Sport Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used LAND Rover Discovery Sport options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the LAND Rover Discovery Sport has 277 owner complaints and 19 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2024 drew the fewest.
- Make
- LAND Rover
- Model
- Discovery Sport
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 277
- Safety recall campaigns
- 19
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Fire-related complaints
- 3
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (188 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2024 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
LAND Rover Discovery Sport: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT has 277 NHTSA complaints and 19 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 277 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 19 federal recall campaigns
- 4 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
19 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
STRUCTURE:BODY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 277 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
277 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Roof molding detached from driver's side of 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport, upon arriving at home checked the passenger side and it came off without excerpting any force. Subsequent check on search engines indicate this may be a common occurrence in recent model Land Rover SUVs. I ran a VIN check for recalls on NHTSA and did not find one open for the 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport, though the same issue is listed as a recall for Range Rover & Range Rover Sport for 2023-2026 and NHTSA has a safety bulletin posted (from Land Rover) for 2019 and newer Land Rover Discovery Sport named "LTB00865NAS2 - Roof Molding Loose / Adrift" available at: [XXX] There are three Land Rover Discovery Sport of similar years in our neighborhood and one other is missing the same passenger side roof mold - these blowing off in traffic at speed are a highway safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While stopped in traffic with the vehicle’s automatic engine start-stop feature engaged, the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator was pressed. The engine had shut off normally due to the start-stop system, but when attempting to move again, the vehicle did not accelerate and appeared temporarily disabled. A “Gearbox fault detected” warning message was displayed. In other occurrences, a “Charging system fault detected” warning appeared immediately after restart. The vehicle required an ignition cycle (turning the vehicle off and back on) to regain normal operation. This condition has occurred on multiple occasions over the past year, including recently, and is intermittent and difficult to reproduce on demand. This condition creates a safety risk because the vehicle can become temporarily immobilized in active traffic, including at stoplights and intersections, leaving the driver unable to proceed as expected. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by authorized Land Rover dealers for related electrical and charging system issues. Components such as the battery have previously been replaced, but the condition has continued to occur. At this time, the issue has not been consistently reproduced by the dealer. Warning messages associated with the incidents include “Gearbox fault detected” and “Charging system fault detected.” These warnings typically appear during or immediately after an automatic engine restart event. The vehicle remains available for inspection.
The contact owns a 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle was shaking erratically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with cracked brake pads. The contact was informed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was purchased in May 2023 and the failure occurred in November 2023. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 9,500.
I am reporting what I believe is a safety‑related defect involving the automatic transmission in my 2022 Land Rover Discovery Sport, VIN [XXX]. Approximately five months after the factory warranty expired, at around 44,000 miles, the transmission began slipping unexpectedly, and the vehicle would not accelerate above roughly 25–35 mph. This occurred while driving, creating an unsafe condition. I needed to make a left turn across traffic, but because the vehicle would not accelerate properly and could not safely match the speed of other vehicles, I judged it too dangerous to change lanes and complete the left turn. Instead, I had to make a right turn, pull into a driveway, turn around, and continue straight to avoid an unsafe lane change. A vehicle that cannot respond normally to throttle input presents a risk when merging, changing lanes, or crossing intersections. The symptoms are transmission slipping under acceleration, limited maximum speed, and abnormal drivability. To my knowledge, this is not due to driver error or poor maintenance. The problem has been reproduced and observed by an authorized Land Rover dealer (Land Rover of Alexandria, Alexandria, VA), which provided an estimated repair cost of about $7,000, indicating a major transmission or control‑system fault. The vehicle and transmission are available for inspection upon request. I understand there have been prior recalls and technical bulletins involving Land Rover transmission control issues (including a recall where certain Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque vehicles could unexpectedly shift into neutral due to sensor and software calibration problems). My vehicle’s behavior—loss of proper drive, slipping, and limited speed—raises similar safety concerns even if the failure mode is not identical. I am concerned that there may be ongoing transmission control or calibration issues that could affect safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Started car, placed transmission in 'reverse' and backed up into a public thoroughfare zone thinking enough time was alloted to place vehicle in 'drive' and merge into traffic. Car would not go into 'drive' nor would it go back into 'reverse' let alone 'neutral. So after realizing the car was reporting a transmission fault and placing itself back into 'park' each time, due to a transmission sensor detection issue. I was stranded in traffic. After calling for towing service, we learned that only a few could drag the car up onto a transport bed using wheel skids, since all four tires were locked up. This model does not have a manual neutral override feature. Poor design, placing my wife, who is handicapped, into a perilous situation.
The roof molding strip has blown off on the freeway putting commuters at risk. This has happened on this vehicle type (discovery sport) for us, 3 times (2 on one vehicle and 1 on this VIN). With this part flying off on the freeway, other drivers swerve to miss it. I cannot stop on the freeway to retrieve it due to traffic and other driving at 60mph or more. We have met with the dealer on the other car and they fixed it. It was a known issue. There has been a service/safety bulletin issued, however, they want to charge us a large amount of money. This is manufacturing defect. Land rover is not taking responsibility. This is happening all over based on research. Here is the bulletin ID LTB00865NAS2 - Roof Molding. Please help with remedying this as it is a public safety issue.
Read 14 more owner reports
Rear cameras(3) no access from menu. Shows a red circle crossed out on menu. Car available for inspection. Backing vehical warning system was working in reverse, accompanied by hazard proximity beeping, but abruptly stopped working after a thorough cleaning. Suspect water in cameras which does match a mfg recall notice for this vehicle, or Land Rover recall notice N778 No dealer has inspected yet.
COMPONENT: Driver-front flexible brake hose (service brake hydraulic system), and the brake fluid level warning system. WHAT HAPPENED: While my daughter was driving at approximately 25 mph and braking normally, the brake pedal sank progressively to the floor over about five seconds. The vehicle continued moving and did not slow as commanded during that time. Braking was obtained only after the pedal had reached the floor. She pumped the pedal several times and was able to bring the vehicle to a stop and park it. Brake fluid was leaking underneath. WARNING PRIOR TO FAILURE: None. No brake warning lamp or message of any kind appeared before or during the failure. The driver had no warning. She shut the vehicle off. Approximately twenty minutes later she restarted it, and only then did a brake fluid warning appear. The vehicle had been driven normally earlier that same day, including on the expressway, with no soft pedal, no increased pedal travel and no symptoms of any kind. CONFIRMED BY A DEALER: Yes. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, which diagnosed a failed driver-front flexible brake hose and replaced it. The dealer stated the hose was "torn open" and that the main leak was located where the flexible hose meets its metal fitting. AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION: No. The technician discarded the failed hose and took no photographs, so the failed part no longer exists. INSPECTED BY MANUFACTURER, POLICE OR INSURANCE: No. HOW SAFETY WAS PUT AT RISK: A brake hose separated at its crimped metal fitting with no prior symptoms, on a vehicle serviced at authorized dealers throughout its life, and the vehicle gave the driver no warning of the fluid loss until the following ignition cycle, after she had already stopped. This happened at 25 mph. The same failure at highway speed, with no warning to the driver, could have had a very different outcome.
Driving 80 MPH on an LA freeway with children, "gearbox fault" message, total loss of engine power, forced to coast to the shoulder.
Went on reverse vehicle shut off
It was not prior dash lights or warnings. I was driving and out of nowhere a light I never saw before in the dash went off. It said “Gearbox Failed”. Then a minute later the car shutdown. Diagnostic: the transmission was dead. Thanks God I was near my home and I stopped in the driveway. I don’t know what could happen in the middle of the highway at high speed. They also found the heat seals covering the muffler and the turbo system. Broken and loose. Worst brand ever.
Transmission stop working suddenly, no lights ON, the car just stopped in the middle of the road. Turbo system cause sudden acceleration . Heat shields get rusty and break.
While driving on the highway, my 2010 Land Rover Discovery Sport stalled at 30 miles mph in traffic. This is the 3rd time same issue happened in 12 months. 3/2024 driving on highway car would not go over 30 mph and felt like it would stall. Had car towed to dealership for service. Service could not recreate issue, gave car back after 4 weeks. as soon as I got on the highway the car stalled. This time all the warnings on dashboard lit up and car completely stalled. Had car towed back for service. 3/2024 car making a loud whinning/whirring sound that got louder over 45 minutes of highway driving. Sent in for service and service could not recreate the issue. 7/22/25 car stalled at 30 mph while in left lane traffic on highway. Numerous cars behind me swerved to avoid me and honked horns. I was very lucky not to be hit from behind all three times this issue occurred. Car currently in for service. 6/13/24 service replaced fuel rail pressure sensor due to internal fail. Updated PCM software, cleared codes. turbo boost bar reaches approx 1 bar and then drops off. heard air leak when boost lost. found intake air duct from throttle body to intercooler disconnected due to broken hose clamp. replaced clamp, refit duct, cleared codes. service notes say road tested but the mileage in on 5/16 was the same as the mileage out on 6/13/24. How is this not classified as a recall with so many reports of the same exact issue? Note all the reports on this site share the same VIN details ( Country and Manufacturing Facility )
On my Discovery Sport HSE 2019 the engine light came on first. I made sure the gas cap was tightly secured. After a couple of days, upon starting the car, there became a rough sounding startup. The car began to turn off when stopped at red lights. I turned ECO mode thinking that it was the problem. The car began to also slow up after a couple of days while driving to work... no matter how far I pressed the gas pedal - it would only go 10mph. The display went haywire with warnings so I pulled over to read the display. The display showed, Stability Control Not Available', 'Gearbox Faulty', 'Parking Beak Faulty', 'ATPC Not Available'. At his point I turned the car off and tried to start it up again. However, I could not turn the dial to place the gear in park, drive, reverse or neutral. I had to get my car towed. The gears were locked. This car is problematic and dangerous. I see most people in this forum have stated that their Discovery Sport just stopped while driving and almost caused what could have been some serious accidents.
Vehicle often on its own, slows down on the highway, while driving and will no longer accelerate. Very scary and dangerous I have to take my feet completely off the gas and try to press the gas to accelerate which after a few of these efforts I can finally pick up speed again. This has been happening since purchased, no recalls are seen and mechanics are unable to diagnose.
1. My land Rover switched between gears systematically from the drive state to the neutral state which resulted in a complete stop. Jaguar Land Rover Dealer in Rancho Mirage and Riverside said they can inspect it. 2. Was merging the traffic intersection with my mom [XXX] and the car stalled from driving and went to the neutral state which halted in the intersection. I was lucky enough that no cars were behind to rear end me. I had to move my gear shift manually from drive to neutral and then back to drive. 3.There are records/forums with consumers claiming the same mishap with the Lander Rover Discovery Sport I'm having. Although, the dealer claims it's an isolated event. 4. Dealer advised me to tow my vehicle to the dealership to be diagnosed on 02/28 (Fri). Yet to be inspected. I am without a vehicle as I'm fearful of driving it. 5. When the vehicle halted, it prompted my HUD with a 'select gear to maneuver.' In which, the only way to resolve the issue was to turn manually swap gears back to drive, as the system malfunctioned. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2019 discovery sport. The turbo charger suddenly failed at 62,000 miles. No prior warning before losing power and loud whining noise began lucky to get to the side of the freeway safely. I Had the turbo charger replaced with new OEM parts by authorized Range Rover repair facility. Cost of new turbo $3565.82 labor cost $720. Total $4285.82 After reviews of multiple complaints by others with this problem just after warranty expired I am surprised that no recall or replacement offer by the manufacturer that still sells this vehicle without telling buyers of this being common failure and not covered. Last Range Rover I will ever buy.
Left rear Door Latching Mechanism. While the vehicle was in motion/operation the left rear door flew open. also there was no warning indication on the dashboard that the door had become open. the driver and the rear passenger who was sitting in the right rear could of been seriously injured. There are bulletins about this happening with other Land Rover and Jaguar Products. Vehicle is at the Dealership having the defect part replaced. NO.
08/19/24 Monday Time: 3:05 pm Picking up daughter from school car completely stop while driving around traffic, started beeping, shift gear knob went down on its own and car stopped in front of school traffic almost causing an accident where I could have been hit. No warning symbol came on or anything. 08/15/24 Thursday Time: 5:45-5:50 Wife was on her way to work and was on the feeder about to be getting on the freeway and car did the same thing almost causing an accident with her over the same issue. This has happened a few time’s already and truly fear for my families life and mine as well.
The contact owns a 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. A charging system fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V694000 (Electrical System). The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,008.
Showing 20 of 277 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact LAND Rover Discovery Sport
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used LAND Rover Discovery Sport, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The LAND Rover Discovery Sport has 277 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The LAND Rover Discovery Sport has 19 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 4 of the LAND Rover Discovery Sport's 277 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all LAND Rover Discovery Sport vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two LAND Rover Discovery Sport vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The LAND Rover Discovery Sport has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used LAND Rover Discovery Sport.
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LAND Rover Discovery Sport reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the LAND Rover Discovery Sport reliable?
Poor. The LAND Rover Discovery Sport has 277 NHTSA owner complaints and 19 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which LAND Rover Discovery Sport years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (188 complaints), 2019 (21 complaints), 2020 (13 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common LAND Rover Discovery Sport problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (89 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (68 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (56 complaints).
Does the LAND Rover Discovery Sport have recalls?
Yes — 19 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the LAND Rover Discovery Sport. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.