Land Rover Discovery years to avoid (and the best years)
159 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recalls across 5 model years, 2017 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 159complaints
- 14recalls
- 5reported crashes
- 1reported fires
- 2reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Land Rover Discovery years should you avoid?
No Land Rover Discovery model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Land Rover Discovery year has 37 complaints on file.
What are the best Land Rover Discovery years?
The Land Rover Discovery years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (11), 2018 (37) and 2019 (38). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 0.3× | 6 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 18 | 0.5× | 6 | 1 | 0 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 38 | 1.0× | 4 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2018 | 37 | 1.0× | 4 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2017 | 55 | 1.5× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 29 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment17 (59%)
- Structure & body7 (24%)
- Airbags & seat belts2 (7%)
- Engine & powertrain2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
Recalls (14)
Electrical system · 26V599000 · Sep 2026 · model year 2021
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V458000 · Jul 2026 · model year 2021
A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 26V389000 · Jun 2026 · model year 2021
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Electrical system · 26V248000 · Apr 2026 · model year 2021
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V393000 · Jun 2023 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Rear passenger doors that open while driving can increase the risk of a crash. An instrument cluster warning light that fails to alert the driver about unsecured doors can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Seat belts · 21V668000 · Aug 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Electrical system · 21V457000 · Jun 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A vehicle that shuts down or loses exterior lighting while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 21V117000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
The driver may be unaware that the high beams are illuminated, reducing visibility for oncoming traffic, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 20V694000 · Nov 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
If the vehicle shuts down or loses exterior lighting while driving there could be an increased risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 20V143000 · Mar 2020 · model years 2017, 2018
If the trailer lights are not working, following traffic won't be aware the vehicle is slowing down or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V053000 · Jan 2020 · model year 2020
In the event of a crash, the seats may not properly secure the occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
Safety · 19V040000 · Jan 2019 · model year 2019
Engine failure can increase the risk of crash.
Safety · 18V625000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2018
If the AEB does not intervene when needed, without warning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 18V337000 · May 2018 · model year 2017
If the engine were to shut off, it can cause loss of power brake assistance. An engine stall would cause a loss of drive power. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.