Land Rover Discovery Sport Complaints

16 consumer complaints on file.

#11754980August 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733706April 24, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733493April 24, 2026
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716334February 6, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709953January 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709287January 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My Land Rover Discovery Sport has experienced six separate stalling / loss-of-propulsion events, all of which created dangerous highway situations. On multiple occasions, the vehicle either entered limp mode or stalled completely while traveling at approximately 65 mph, endangering all lanes of traffic and forcing unsafe maneuvers to reach the shoulder. These incidents occurred without warning at random times and completely disappearing after a restart. Two of these stalling events occurred after the vehicle was inspected and “diagnosed” by an authorized Land Rover dealer for 400$ and returned to me as having no issues. Both of those post-diagnosis failures required towing back to the dealer at my own cost. One of the six incidents required a 911 call due to the vehicle stalling in active freeway traffic and creating an immediate safety hazard. The issue is intermittent and often clears temporarily after the vehicle is shut off, making it difficult for dealers to reproduce. However, the defect consistently reappears shortly after driving. The vehicle has now been in the possession of an authorized Land Rover dealer for approximately 3.5 months, and no repair or root cause has been identified. The vehicle remains undrivable and unsafe to operate. I am concerned this represents a systemic defect, potentially software-related, that causes sudden loss of propulsion and stalling at highway speeds without warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673072July 12, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660149May 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Is this a flaw? I was driving with my wife, she had the key. I dropped her off and drove away about a mile. The car didn't say anything about the key not being present in the vehicle. Shouldn't it have said something about the key not being present? Seems like this is a computer/software flaw which should be investigated and updated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633711January 2, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Keep Assist systems turn off for no apparent reasons. This happened multiple times on this loaner vehicle and my own vehicle (same model). All the times I've seen this happen it was at night and clear out. So its not like radars or cameras are blocked by rain, snow, etc...This needs to be investigated since its happening on all of these models and radar/cameras are clear. Only common theme so far is that its happening when its dark out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630745December 14, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On several occasions the amber AEB Off warning light has appeared. It wasn't raining and radars + camera were clear. The warning light went away on its own within 30 seconds without restarting the car. This should be investigated as a safety system issue especially since it's occuring even though the sensors are clean and unobstructed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630503December 13, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield washer fluid is leaking from the reservoir/pump near the front driver side tire when the rear window wash is activated. The bottle already became empty once. There shouldn't be any leaking to begin with but this is also a safety issue if you actually have to use the windshield wash while on the road and there is no fluid in the bottle because it leaked out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630081December 11, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I am new to Land Rover Discovery Sport and a bit disappointed with the Blind Spot Warning functionality. There is very little warning compared to all other cars I have owned with this feature. There needs to be an option for audible warning when blind spot monitoring detects something and the turn signal is activated. Currently there is no audible warning. Also the system seems a bit slow. Feels like it should detect a blind spot object sooner. Finally, there needs to be blind spot warning indicators on the HUD. All of these are safety issue and improvement opportunities.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624376November 9, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Major misfires in the engine cylinders at 56800 miles. I bought the car from Willis Auto in Des Moines Ia in October of 2021 Brand new. I am the one and only driver/owner of this vehicle. I came out of my home in Omaha Ne on or about [XXX], to which I attempted to drive my vehicle. The car engine began shaking and would not stay on. I then had the car towed in to Land Rover of Omaha which is the closest Land Rover dealership. I was initially told everything was fine except it needed to change the spark plugs. To which I agreed to have the repairs done. I was later notified that the car that I have is notorious for engine failure around 60k. I was told that the suggested repairs would be a new engine priced at 27k. I am under my LR warranty for length of ownership being under for years, however the mileage is over 6,800 miles. So I would not be covered under my power train warranty. This engine failure is definitely not just a one off situation. The dealership has said they don't understand why it is failed and have confirmed that it should not be failing this soon. I believe this is something that JAGUAR Land Rover is aware of any dispite that knowledge they are continuing to sell these cars and pass the costly repairs on to the unsuspecting consumer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618720October 8, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11486155September 24, 2022
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The ignition does not turn on or the car will not power on with the key. The car has been at the dealership for a month and they have been unable to repair what is clearly an electronic problem with the vehicle. The power button in the ignition does not power up and the vehicle does not start.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434223September 24, 2021
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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