Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 38% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 21% | 38,000 miles |
| 2019 | 8 | 21% | 53,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 19% | 1,000 miles |
| 2017 | 13 | 24% | 37,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 40% | 96,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 21% | 77,000 miles |
| 2003 | 19 | 40% | 97,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 35% | 106,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 23% | 87,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% | 65,000 miles |
| 1999 | 3 | 18% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 9% | 124,000 miles |
| 1997 | 5 | 14% | 65,000 miles |
| 1996 | 6 | 9% | 0 miles |
| 1995 | 8 | 16% | 35,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Red warning in dash along with "stop safely, electrical fault detected." Car drove normally for a mile before wipers came on and then multiple warnings for "collision, suspension, stability, height, tire, braking fault, ect. detected" came on. Car lost all power, steering wheel locked, unable to park or turn off vehicle with push button. Car rolled backwards if brake released. Hazards only came on at rear. Car towed to dealer; stated battery was "completely drained." Dealer ended up replacing DC-DC converter and battery. 2 and 4 months prior (5/26 and 7/26), random electrical issues with radio, screen blanking out , volume unable to be changed, as well as various cameras and alerts for "collisions" would come on. Dealer looked over car and could not find anything wrong at that time.
DRiving down the highway at night in the rain and car died completely... all electronics shut off, car shut off and had no power to steering or breaks or anything. WOuld not start once it was pulled over and had to be towed to dealer. At the dealership i was told the leaking windshield had eroded the wiring throughout. they could not start or power the car at all. they removed the complete interior and have had the car for 45 days with no estimate of when it is drivable again.
The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the navigation system screen went blank. The vehicle randomly failed to start. The Land Rover logo was on the screen. While driving, the battery warning light was flashing. All the warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who performed an update. The dealer was unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, after a few days the vehicle failed to start. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 38,181.
Defect Summary: Repeated water intrusion (windshield, roof rails, rear door latch) leading to electrical damage. Electrical failures resulting in sudden loss of power, lighting, and infotainment. Critical safety system failures including: Sudden loss of steering assist and brake assist while in motion. Vehicle stalling with the engine running but no drivetrain response. Gear shifter malfunctions leaving the vehicle stuck in gear. Notable Incidents: July-August 2025 (61,000 mi): Multiple events of complete power loss while driving, including loss of steering and braking control on a public roadway. September 11, 2025 (post-repair): After dealer-replaced battery and gear-shift module, the vehicle failed catastrophically within 450 feet of leaving the service center, jolting violently, losing all electrical power, and leaving steering and brakes stiff. …
The contact owns a 2019 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that when attempting to back out of a parking space, the shifter was moved to reverse; however, the shifter failed to release from reverse. The vehicle was shut off, then restarted to reset the transmission, and at which time the shifter was able to be moved. The next day, while driving at highway speeds of approximately 55 MPH, entering on an on-ramp, the vehicle began to lose power and suddenly decelerate, then the vehicle shifted to neutral. The contact coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced and there were failures with the gearbox and other computer systems. The vehicle was repaired. The next morning, the shifter failure and start failure occurred again. …
The contact owns a 2019 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH and entering the highway, the vehicle shut off. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off and restarted. The vehicle coasted after stalling. The vehicle was shifted into park and then into drive to continue driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V694000 (Electrical System) and 19V040000 (Engine). The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V393000 (Electrical System, Latches, Locks/Linkages). The local dealer was contacted, and confirmed there was a cyberattack on the computers, and they would be down until October 2025. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and the engine sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the timing chain was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the battery warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several seconds after the battery warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to coast into a parking lot and the vehicle was taken to a Parts Store where a new battery was purchased. The contact installed the battery however, the vehicle stalled again. The contact left the vehicle on the side of the road. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,331.
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication › Filter/screen
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles. The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023.
Engine
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Discovery vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with V6 or V8 engines whose crankshaft pulley retaining bolt may fracture possibly resulting in engine failure.
Remedy: Land Rover has notified owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft pulley center retaining bolt, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2019. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837.
Frequently asked questions
Which Land Rover Discovery years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (19), 2017 (13), 1995 (8), 2019 (8) and 2018 (7) model years. Engine complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Land Rover Discovery engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 24V-450 (filter/screen, Jun 17, 2024); 23V-044 (oil/lubrication, Feb 2, 2023); 19V-040 (engine, Jan 17, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Land Rover Discovery engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (17 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (7).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.