RoadVitals

2020 Land Rover Discovery Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Jul 7, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 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

  • Engine414.3%
  • Powertrain (other)310.7%
  • Driver assistance310.7%
  • Visibility27.1%
  • Body & structure27.1%
  • Interior & seats13.6%
  • Exterior lighting13.6%
  • Brakes13.6%
  • Seat belts13.6%
  • Airbags13.6%

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.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that after his wife had started the vehicle, the "Charging System Malfunction" warning message illuminated. The contact stated that the driver had previously experienced intermittent loss of motive power for short periods while driving. The dealer was contacted and advised that once the warning message illuminated, the vehicle could shut off after approximately 22-30 miles. The vehicle was driven to the residence and was then towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the alternator had shorted due to an oil leak from the upper and lower timing covers, which required replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 44,836.

NHTSA ID 11748882 · filed Jul 7, 2026

Water dripping into the cabin from the top of the windshield. Water in electrical system is turning lights and other functions on and off causing dangerous driving conditions and draining the battery while parked immobilizing the vehicle

NHTSA ID 11701783 · filed Nov 27, 2025
All 9 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. An Edison Police officer witnessed the event and assisted in traffic control. Safety Concern: These recurring failures present a clear and ongoing danger of crash, injury, or fatality. The pattern demonstrates a systemic design or manufacturing defect related to water ingress and electrical integrity.

NHTSA ID 11690779 · filed Oct 1, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID 11549604 · filed Oct 12, 2023

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. An Edison Police officer witnessed the event and assisted in traffic control. Safety Concern: These recurring failures present a clear and ongoing danger of crash, injury, or fatality. The pattern demonstrates a systemic design or manufacturing defect related to water ingress and electrical integrity.

NHTSA ID 11690779 · filed Oct 1, 2025

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. I was not told of any recall by either dealer but was told that they are having the same issue with “so many cars” The first event was on September 13th and the second on October 14th.

NHTSA ID 11489510 · filed Oct 17, 2022

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Front parking aid sensors do not alert me to objects in front of me when parking forward. I have to first backup two feet to get it to work, then it picks it up once I put in forward motion again. The dealer stated that they have no recalls for this problem even though my vehicle is in warranty.

NHTSA ID 11581979 · filed Apr 9, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID 11549604 · filed Oct 12, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for maintenance, the contact was made aware of TSB: SSM74710 for the windshield seals. The vehicle was inspected under the TSB: SSM74710 (Failed Windshield Seals). The contact stated that on a separate occasion, months after the repairs, water leaked inside the cabin of the vehicle. The water leaked from the top side of the windshield on the driver’s side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the windshield seal had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the dealer performed a windshield seal test, and the vehicle had passed the inspection. No evidence of a water leakage was present. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA ID 11711201 · filed Jan 15, 2026

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Windshield seal failed, which was supposedly inspected when I bought the vehicle 13 months ago How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Water dumped onto the many electronics in the front center of the vehicle, this could have easily caused a short or failure in those electronics Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dealer immediately found the leak location when I brought the vehicle in. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Vehicle has been looked at by the dealership service center Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No signs of failure prior to leak. It seems that this is a common problem on Land Rover vehicles, and there are many forums that speak to the seal failing and the windshield needing replaced.

NHTSA ID 11629961 · filed Dec 10, 2024

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Water dripping into the cabin from the top of the windshield. Water in electrical system is turning lights and other functions on and off causing dangerous driving conditions and draining the battery while parked immobilizing the vehicle

NHTSA ID 11701783 · filed Nov 27, 2025

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Windshield seal failed, which was supposedly inspected when I bought the vehicle 13 months ago How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Water dumped onto the many electronics in the front center of the vehicle, this could have easily caused a short or failure in those electronics Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dealer immediately found the leak location when I brought the vehicle in. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Vehicle has been looked at by the dealership service center Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No signs of failure prior to leak. It seems that this is a common problem on Land Rover vehicles, and there are many forums that speak to the seal failing and the windshield needing replaced.

NHTSA ID 11629961 · filed Dec 10, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated while making a turn and driving at 15 MPH, water was leaking from the rearview mirror. The dome light on the ceiling was flashing intermittently. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 50 MPH, the instrument panel screen turned black but returned to normal functionality after several minutes. The contact stated that the touch screen failed to work as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the joint and body seam adhesive had delaminated. The front windshield was replaced, and the dashboard was removed to be dried out; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the electronic system failed to operate as intended. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,799.

NHTSA ID 11642608 · filed Feb 13, 2025

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Front parking aid sensors do not alert me to objects in front of me when parking forward. I have to first backup two feet to get it to work, then it picks it up once I put in forward motion again. The dealer stated that they have no recalls for this problem even though my vehicle is in warranty.

NHTSA ID 11581979 · filed Apr 9, 2024

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My mom was run over and killed by her vehicle on 5/15.

NHTSA ID 11739630 · filed May 22, 2026

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the front passenger’s side seat belt locked, trapping the passenger in the seat. The contact stated that to unlock the seat belt the passenger had to manipulate the buckle to unlatch the buckle; then insert the seat belt several times before the seat belt operated as designed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred after the repair. The vehicle was returned to the same dealer and the seat belt was replaced three times. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,100.

NHTSA ID 11464962 · filed May 17, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Passenger airbag sensor not working

NHTSA ID 11584370 · filed Apr 22, 2024

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

Data on this page last refreshed .