Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 36% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 16% | 15,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 11% | 2,000 miles |
| 2018 | 8 | 22% | 2,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 11% | 8,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 60% | 7,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 21% | 73,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 24% | 132,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 8% | 83,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% | 39,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 12% | — |
| 1998 | 2 | 6% | 88,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 11% | — |
| 1996 | 3 | 5% | 0 miles |
| 1995 | 2 | 4% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
This vehicle should be considered as a "drive at your own risk" vehicle. Engine randomly fails to start using push button start in coordination with pressing on the brake pedal. Dash and gages indicated all electrical systems were on and no warning symbols were displayed. Repeated attempts by owner to start vehicle failed. Attempts using remote start app erroneously indicated that the vehicle was already in operation. Fail-to-start generally existed for 2-4 hours before the vehicle would randomly start. Failure to start and stranding owner repeated 4 times over the next 8 days, including while the vehicle was in service shop of Dealer. Dealer service could not identify source of the problem and produced records that the safety recall for the battery ground stud issue had already been performed. …
This is an update to Complaint Number 11436854, submitted on 10/14/2021, 5:53:21 PM Additional service has been performed on the vehicle to identify and correct random electrical faults interrupting the safe operations of this vehicle. Service record generated by Land Rover Boise, ID (RO Number 520844) is attached as an uploaded file. This RO indicates the third repair by Land Rover dealers that have serviced this vehicle (Lynnwood, WA; Flatirons, CO and Boise, ID) regarding the Ground Stud Update, and now provides the documentation of another ground fault in the Locking Actuator (door locks are randomly actuating w/driving).
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. …
Vehicle warning lights come on including traction control and engine warning. Vehicle stops running after halting and then quits running completely. I had the vehicle towed 80 miles to the nearest dealer in Columbia, SC they reported that it was a loose ground wire on the battery and told me it was resolved. Less than a month later the same thing happened again and all 4 wheels locked up requiring the towing company to drag it onto the flat bed two truck. It was towed to the local dealer in Hardeeville, SC for repair last Friday and am waiting on a notice that they are working on the vehicle. I did report the issue to the local dealer prior to the latest event and was told that the earliest available appointment was a month out. …
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. …
One month after purchasing my Land Rover Discovery I noticed there was a lag time when trying to accelerate when making a turn. I took it to the dealership and they said it should be resolved by updating the system. They updated it but it continued to have the lag issue so I complained again and they said it's the nature of the car. I told them this was very dangerous and they claim they haven't received enough complaints to say it's an issue with car. I also have had other electrical problems such as the navigation screen going blank while driving or not coming on at all and also my remote key fobs do not work all the time. Even with the remotes in my hand near the console the car will say they are not detected. I brought it back to the dealer and they said they were fine. …
Pulled out of car wash to drying area. Car was still in D, with foot on brake. After a few moments, auto start/stop triggered shutting the car off, but rotary gear selector retracted while still in D. Would not allow restart as trans still in Drive and dash displayed Gearbox malfunction. After a 15 minute wait for system restart, tried to start to no avail. Had to get Discovery towed to dealer which informed that gear selector failed and needed replacement. Thank goodness I wasn't in a traffic situation. This problem has recalls on other models in same model year. Desire the Discovery (D5) to be included in recall. Car is at 82K miles.
Vehicle rolled back when in the park position. Vehicle had no occupants. Vehicle parked on an incline. Roll back occurred several minutes after shifter was placed in the park position and minutes after I exited the vehicle. Extremely worrisome. 2018 Land Rover Discovery
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 114, "theft protection." water contamination of the automatic transmission oil can lead to various failure modes of the transmission.
Remedy: Dealers will check the park lock function; reposition the automatic transmission breather tube; and test the automatic transmission fluid and flush if necessary.
Power train › Axle assembly
At port of entry, a quality overcheck of the differential pinion shaft torque was performed. This check required the removal of the driveshafts. When the driveshafts were reinstalled, the wrong sized nuts were used.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hardware on the involved vehicles with hardware of the appropriate specifications.
Frequently asked questions
Which Land Rover Discovery years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (10), 2018 (8), 2017 (6) and 2000 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Land Rover Discovery transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 00V-377 (automatic transmission, Nov 16, 2000); 95V-099 (axle assembly, May 16, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Land Rover Discovery transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles; 58% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (8 mentions), followed by the driveline › driveshaft (5).
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.