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

The vehicle has a transmission problem. The vehicle will shut off at a stop and will come out of gear. I have been sitting at a traffic light and when the light turns green the car will not move (it goes back into neutral). When this happens I have to turn the engine off and restart the car before it will go into drive. When I back out of my driveway onto the main road and then place the vehicle in drive the vehicle will not go into gear leaving me and the car stranded in the road. This vehicle is going to get me injured or killed. Someone is going to hit me because I cannot move out of the way. I have almost been hit numerous times because I cannot get out of the way of oncoming traffic. The car has been back to the manufacturer 3 times now (this time they have had the car 22 days and it is still not repaired). No warning lights have come on before the incident, however the check engine light will appear after the car fails to go into gear.

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.

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.

The engine timing chain, timing chain tensioner, and chain guides failed/stretched prematurely at 54,715 miles. The parts are currently installed in the vehicle / available for inspection upon request. Premature failure or slipping of the timing chain tensioner can cause the engine to misfire, skip timing, or fail catastrophically without warning while driving. A sudden loss of engine power or sudden engine stall at highway speeds creates an immediate crash hazard and leaves the vehicle disabled in active traffic. Yes, the issue was diagnosed and confirmed by Land Rover Allentown (service visit on 07/17/2026 at 54,715 miles), which confirmed engine noise/timing chain wear requiring full assembly replacement. It was inspected and diagnosed by an authorized dealership service department (Land Rover Allentown). No police or insurance inspection was involved as there was no crash. Loud metallic rattling noises from the engine bay upon startup and acceleration, engine misfires, and rough idling. Symptoms began shortly before the July 2026 service visit at around 54,000 miles.

I feel unsafe in vehicle at times when driving. the vehicle stalls sometime when taking off after you have stopped at a light and press on gas it sort of hesitates then goes. I had someone else test it out and they say the same thing, also purchased vehicle from Carvana and dont think they inspected this car because the first day it was delivered I had smelled gas or burning inside the car cabin which burned my eyes like fumes. Took it to shop and it was there the entire time during the time when you can return vehicle to carvana if you change your mind. I sent work to Carvana this happened which they should have known anyway that if at Landrover during the time I was suppose to check car out I didnt get to. They just said it was to late, but recently feels like steering is off and I just feel so stupid I traded my vehicle in for a vehicle that could be potentially dangerous and Ive been stressed out.; I looked underneath where the steering wheel column I think that is what is called is and notice its exposed you can see the metal steering column visibly and it seem rusted or like it has been tampered with which could be due to the way the car drives. I sent word to carvana via message and I contacted silverrock the warranty people to see if I could get approved to take vehicle to landrover and they cover the expenses and it was a few days before the warrantly expired and I couldnt even get an appt that quick not sure what to do at this point.

I have had cars since I was 16. The tires have never worn the way they are wear. I bought a 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The tires that came with it are the pirelli scorpion. There are chunks that come out of the tread or look like they are on the verge in the middle section of the tire. The original ones that I have issues with are 235/55/R19. I bought 2 new ones which I am not sure the year on those but same brand and they did the same thing plus wear. It was 2 years ago that I bought the new ones and only 10,349 miles. That doesn’t seem right. Something is wrong with these tires.

The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle independently decelerated and lost motive power. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

Manufacturer confirmed this VIN number should be included in prior recall compaings related to all electrical, a/c unit, and “infotainment in-control” software for vehicle.

Roof side rail bars flew off when on the freeway. Car parts should not be flying off a car if made correctly could have hit another car causing an accident. No warning messages. Has not been inspected but have pictures.

When at a stop, the car Idles rough first, then gives a message about re-engaging a gear to maneuver before shutting down completely. I have to turn the car completely off and start again. Happens randomly.

When trying to accelerate at a light turning left while on coming traffic is coming tries to accelerate and car didn’t want to move. Took foot off the gas and didn’t again. The car finally moved if not there is a potential accident. Also went up a street on hill. Turned right and stop sign right away. Pressed gas to accelerate on my turn at the four stop and couldn’t go. Released the gas pressed again and I can go.