2017 Land Rover Discovery Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Land Rover Discovery, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1823.1%
- Visibility1417.9%
- Engine1316.7%
- Interior & seats67.7%
- Powertrain (other)67.7%
- Body & structure56.4%
- Fuel system56.4%
- Brakes33.8%
- Exterior lighting22.6%
- Suspension22.6%
- Airbags11.3%
- Seat belts11.3%
- Steering11.3%
- Driver assistance11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Water coming from top part of the front windshield. This was previously fixed but after few years problem persists and started causing electrical issues. I already had to replaced computer out of my pocket even it was under warranty cause did not wanted to fix it.
There is a safety recall for the 2019-2020 Land Rover Discovery models. 414-01 SAFETY RECALL: Startup Battery Ground Stud - Insufficient Ground Contact Land Rover Tech bulletin dated 09 DEC 2020 On July 25 my 2017 Land Rover discovery lost power, instrumentation went haywire, and steering limp as I was making a turn onto US-90. On August 5 it would not start. Eventually jump started it, as the battery did not seem to register to the vehicle. On August 6 it again lost power, drive train went limp, all warnings lit up, and steering died as I was getting onto I-95 On August 7 JLR of Jacksonville informed me they found arching burn marks on the battery ground stud. They knew this as a common issue from the previous Tech Bulletin. The 2017&2018 have the same design as the 2019&2020, why are the 2017&2018 not included in the recall?
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that rainwater was entering the vehicle and the computer system was not responding due to the water intrusion. There were no warning lights illuminated. The occupants of the vehicle were also getting wet. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield and sealant needed to be replaced. The windshield was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Rain water leaks into passenger compartment through the top of the windshield.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am filing this complaint regarding a catastrophic engine failure on my 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury with the 3.0L V6 supercharged engine. The failure was caused by a broken timing chain, which resulted in severe internal engine damage. This component failure has been confirmed by an independent Land Rover specialist, and the damaged parts — including the broken chain — are available for inspection upon request. The incident put our safety at risk, as the vehicle experienced sudden loss of engine power while in operation. A complete engine stall, especially in traffic or at highway speeds, could easily lead to loss of power steering and braking assistance, significantly increasing the chance of an accident. Prior to the failure, we noticed several warning signs, including an illuminated check engine light, rough idling, and multiple diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), such as P0018, P0019, P0300, P0304, P0305, and P0306. These symptoms began appearing a few weeks before the engine failed completely, but escalated quickly. To our knowledge, there is no recall or technical service bulletin (TSB) addressing this known issue on this model and engine configuration. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Land Rover, the police, or any insurance agency, but the independent mechanic confirmed that the failure was internal and directly related to the timing chain system. We are submitting this report in the interest of public safety, as this type of failure on a vehicle with regular maintenance and 140,000 miles should not occur without warning. We believe this may indicate a broader reliability issue with the timing system in these engines and urge the NHTSA to investigate.
Had engine cooling system repaired at dealer in 2023. In late 2024/early 2025 - engine coolant loss returned. We maintained engine coolant at recommended levels until we could get vehicle into dealership for diagnosis and repair. During routine local trip, low coolant light suddenly came on and immediately following that, engine stopped in the middle of traffic. Wife was barely able to navigate vehicle to safe place alongside the road. Vehicle was towed to dealer. They diagnosed engine failure due to oil cooling system failure. We contacted JLR and they offered no solutions. This is a $40,000 repair on a vehicle worth at most $20 to $25,000 retail. We had to dispose of it to a salvage buyer at an extreme loss.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that the bracket that opened the bench seat was fractured. Due to the failure, the hatch failed to close after being opened. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the defect was not covered under recall or warranty and the contact was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V393000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
There is a safety recall for the 2019-2020 Land Rover Discovery models. 414-01 SAFETY RECALL: Startup Battery Ground Stud - Insufficient Ground Contact Land Rover Tech bulletin dated 09 DEC 2020 On July 25 my 2017 Land Rover discovery lost power, instrumentation went haywire, and steering limp as I was making a turn onto US-90. On August 5 it would not start. Eventually jump started it, as the battery did not seem to register to the vehicle. On August 6 it again lost power, drive train went limp, all warnings lit up, and steering died as I was getting onto I-95 On August 7 JLR of Jacksonville informed me they found arching burn marks on the battery ground stud. They knew this as a common issue from the previous Tech Bulletin. The 2017&2018 have the same design as the 2019&2020, why are the 2017&2018 not included in the recall?
Vehicle electronics began going crazy. The instrument cluster and gages just started flashing and pulsating. The transmission and mode selection cluster lit up like a Christmas tree. The engine power and steering went limp. The transmission eventually stuck in drive. This occurred twice while driving on the roadway. The second time I had it towed to the dealership. The dealership found the M6 ground stud to be arching. This same issue is a technical bulletin for the 2019-2020 models, but 2017-2018 which are of the same design and build were left off the recall.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Had engine cooling system repaired at dealer in 2023. In late 2024/early 2025 - engine coolant loss returned. We maintained engine coolant at recommended levels until we could get vehicle into dealership for diagnosis and repair. During routine local trip, low coolant light suddenly came on and immediately following that, engine stopped in the middle of traffic. Wife was barely able to navigate vehicle to safe place alongside the road. Vehicle was towed to dealer. They diagnosed engine failure due to oil cooling system failure. We contacted JLR and they offered no solutions. This is a $40,000 repair on a vehicle worth at most $20 to $25,000 retail. We had to dispose of it to a salvage buyer at an extreme loss.
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that during a rainstorm water entered the vehicle. The rainwater entered the vehicle from the upper passenger’s side windshield. The water then traveled down onto the dashboard. The contact stated that the failure was present while driving and while parked during rainy weather. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving down the highway, the vehicle all the sudden started smoking, forcing me to pull over. Upon pulling over, I found it was a fire under the left front hood based on the smoke pouring out. I called 911 immediately. I attempted to save some belongings, including my $200K boat, but failed to save anything as the fire rapidly grew forcing me to step far away. I then watched my car, boat and belongings all perish to nearly nothing before the fire department arrived and put out the fire. While I am lucky to be safe and have adequate insurance, others may not fair so well when their Land Rover Discovery 5 petrol catches fire.
I WAS DRIVING ON MAIN ROAD AT THE SPEED LIMIT (45 MPH). I HAD SLOWED DOWN AS I OBSERVED A CAR PULLING OUT AHEAD OF ME ONTO THE ROAD. AS I GAVE MY VEHICLE GAS IN ORDER TO GET BACK UP TO SPEED, I FELT A PAUSE IN THE ENGINE AND THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER- THE ENGINE STOPPED, THE RED BATTERY ICON APPEARED ON THE DASH, AND MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN WITH THE HEADING "SPECIAL PROGRAM SUSPENDED" OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT-- I HAD NO TIME TO READ THAT MESSAGE AS I HAD TO STEER MY CAR AS FAR TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS ABLE TO. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AND THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED-- I HAD NO CHANCE TO READ IT AS I WAS ON A BUSY AND HEAVY TRAVELED ROAD AND HAD TO ENSURE I WAS SAFELY PULLED OVER. UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME AS TO WHAT CAUSED THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS THE CAR LOST POWER WITH NO FOREWARNING. I AM LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY ON WHICH I TRAVEL MOST OF THE TIME. I CONTACTED LAND ROVER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE CAR WAS PUT ON A FLATBED AND BROUGHT TO THE DEALER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE TDi6 has been to the dealer multiple times since purchased new in 2018. This vehicle has several safety issues. First is the random and repeatable shut down of the ABS, Stability, Automatic Braking, Electric steering, windshield leak causing considerable water penetration. The primary concern is the vehicle will lose communication with the ABS, Airbag, Stability, Braking Steering computer at any time while driving. This vehicle had been inspected prior with no known fix. This issue nearly caused an accident on Monday 3-14--2022. Vehicle can be hard to control when the lights on the dash turn on, loss of steering assist and suspension (floating, roughness, swerve etc). Windshield leak started approx 3 weeks ago and there is a strong musty odor. Other items we've had issues with are the infotainment system not starting or freeing up (not booting properly) keeping us from engaging the window defroster. I'm presently more concerned about the potential loss of control with the vehicle. Dealer service times are out several weeks and this is a primary use vehicle for us. I feel these issues are significant enough to warrant further action. I tried uploading images and video but the NHTSA website doesn't appear to be working at this time. I have a catalog of information regarding these issues. Finally, several Land Rover forums have users who experience virtually identical issues as my vehicle. I believe this is a safety issue and could cause an accident if the driver is unaware of the loss of steering, suspension and ABS breaking. Thank you.
BRAKE PEDAL ALWAYS SPEAKS. COUNTLESS RATTLES IN VEHICLE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving on th highway when all my electrical went out no lights no signal noting the car is in the shop it has happened multiple times
THE REAR FOG LIGHTS ARE PLACED DIRECTLY IN THE LINE OF SIGHT OF MOST PASSENGER CARS. THE BUTTON ON THE STALK MAKES IT TOO EASY FOR DRIVERS TO DEPRESS IT, BLINDING MOTORISTS FOLLOWING THE CAR AND CAUSING DANGEROUS VISIBILITY ISSUES. IN FOUR INSTANCES IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, I HAVE HAD TO ALTER MY PATH OR PULL OFF THE ROADWAY TO AVOID THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE RUNNING REAR FOGS IN THE BROAD DAYLIGHT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE TDi6 has been to the dealer multiple times since purchased new in 2018. This vehicle has several safety issues. First is the random and repeatable shut down of the ABS, Stability, Automatic Braking, Electric steering, windshield leak causing considerable water penetration. The primary concern is the vehicle will lose communication with the ABS, Airbag, Stability, Braking Steering computer at any time while driving. This vehicle had been inspected prior with no known fix. This issue nearly caused an accident on Monday 3-14--2022. Vehicle can be hard to control when the lights on the dash turn on, loss of steering assist and suspension (floating, roughness, swerve etc). Windshield leak started approx 3 weeks ago and there is a strong musty odor. Other items we've had issues with are the infotainment system not starting or freeing up (not booting properly) keeping us from engaging the window defroster. I'm presently more concerned about the potential loss of control with the vehicle. Dealer service times are out several weeks and this is a primary use vehicle for us. I feel these issues are significant enough to warrant further action. I tried uploading images and video but the NHTSA website doesn't appear to be working at this time. I have a catalog of information regarding these issues. Finally, several Land Rover forums have users who experience virtually identical issues as my vehicle. I believe this is a safety issue and could cause an accident if the driver is unaware of the loss of steering, suspension and ABS breaking. Thank you.
2017 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY SUSPENSION COMPRESSION PUMP. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUSPENSION COMPRESSION PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that both the front driver side seat belt pretensioner and door latch were defective, which caused the warning light to illuminate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIRST THREE DAYS BEFORE 5/14/2019 THE SEATBELTS LIGHTS WERE ON AND OFF, AND ON MAY14/2019 I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK THE CAR JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. .. THE BREAK WERE LOCKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
There is a safety recall for the 2019-2020 Land Rover Discovery models. 414-01 SAFETY RECALL: Startup Battery Ground Stud - Insufficient Ground Contact Land Rover Tech bulletin dated 09 DEC 2020 On July 25 my 2017 Land Rover discovery lost power, instrumentation went haywire, and steering limp as I was making a turn onto US-90. On August 5 it would not start. Eventually jump started it, as the battery did not seem to register to the vehicle. On August 6 it again lost power, drive train went limp, all warnings lit up, and steering died as I was getting onto I-95 On August 7 JLR of Jacksonville informed me they found arching burn marks on the battery ground stud. They knew this as a common issue from the previous Tech Bulletin. The 2017&2018 have the same design as the 2019&2020, why are the 2017&2018 not included in the recall?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE POWER. SHUTTERS AND ALMOST STALLS WHEN GIVING GAS. HAPPENS AT RANDOM. WAS TOLD TO SWITCH FUEL BRANDS DIDN'T HELP. VEHICLE DOES IT MAINLY WHEN DOING A CALIFONIA STOP. HAPPENS MAINLY ON CITY STREETS. NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS GIVEN CAR STILL SHUTTERS NO POWER AND SLOWS UNTIL CAR RESOLVE ISSUE. VEHICLE IS A DIESEL
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .