What kind of problems does a Land Rover Discovery Sport usually have? In this blog, we’ve outlined all the most important things you should watch for when you’re in the market for a Discovery Sport. However, let’s first start with a quick answer:
Land Rover Discovery Sport (L550) made between 2015 – 2016 have had recalls for non-closing doors because of faulty keyless entry software, sudden loss of braking power, and non-deployment of the airbags. Furthermore, there have been increased engine fire risk recalls due to short-circuiting (2020) and fuel leaks (2018).
However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. In the rest of the article, we’ll discuss every problem in detail. Furthermore, we’ll let you know how to identify it, fix it and how much it costs to fix. Read on!
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We Use Real World Vehicle Data To Create This List Of Problems
Before we dive into the most common problems, let’s quickly explain how we created this list.
This data comes from vehicle owners like you. It’s based on real data from real drivers. No guesswork or hypotheticals here.
We use resources like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and many others, to review the most common complaints issues by owners along with the full history of recalls and active investigations.
From there, our team of automotive experts takes a closer look into each problem and breaks down why it happens, what you can do to prevent it, and how to fix it.
We review the data and interpret the results to make your life easier. Now that you understand how we came up with this list, let’s get into it!
1. Several Recalls For Non-Closing Doors
Due to a problem with the keyless entry software, the 2015 – 2016 models of the Land Rover Discovery Sport had a problem with unlatching doors during driving. This not only caused a distraction for the passengers but also increased the risk of people falling out of the car.
The recall was carried out under NHTSA number 15V385000, and the solution was to update the software of the keyless entry. Other generations of the Discovery Sport haven’t had any problems since.
2. Increased Risk Of Engine Fire
At the end of 2020, Land Rover discovered that 3,048 units of the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque MHEV were at risk for a potential engine fire. This problem was caused by a short-circuiting of the 48-volt electrical system, specifically the DCDC converter. The recall was carried out under number 20V683000, and it’s one of the few recalls or problems the 2020 version of the car has experienced so far.
3. Seat Belt Doesn’t Lock Properly Or Pretenstioner Doesn’t Work
Several generations of the Discovery Sport have had problems with the seat belt. The 2016 model had problems with the pretensioners not working or the emergency locker retractor not working in the case of a crash. The 2017 model had the same issues with the pretensioner as the 2016 model.
Problems returned with the 2020 – 2021 models that had issues with the automatic locking retractor malfunctioning. This could prevent the child restrain system from securing correctly. This recall was eventually carried out under number 21V668000.
4. High Beam Malfunctioning
2019 models had a small recall under number 21V117000 for malfunctioning high beams. Better said, the high beams would illuminate automatically in certain conditions. This is not a problem; however, the problem was that this automatic illumination of the high beams wasn’t indicated on the instrument cluster. In the end, this meant that the drivers would blind oncoming traffic.
5. Transmission Shifts To Neutral
Let’s continue with the more than problematic 2015 model. This model like the Range Rover Evoque, also had a recall for an issue with the transmission. The transmission had a risk of shifting into neutral without the driver having any control over this. This was because the transmission sensor clusters had too few crimps in the transmission wiring harness, which allowed the transmission to shift. The recall was carried out under number 16V614000.
6. Lose Of Electrical Power
One of the few recalls the 2019 model has had so far had to do with its electrical system. There was a loose contact between the battery ground stud and the chassis. This meant the car could suddenly lose power or lose its exterior lighting. Therefore, a recall was carried out under number 20V694000. No other generations of Discovery Sport have had this problem so far.
7. Fuel Leak In Engine Compartment
2018 Discovery Sport models with a 2.0L gasoline engine were recalled in March of 2018 under recall number 18V087000. The problem was the possibility of leaking fuel rail end caps. In some cases, this resulted in fuel dripping into the engine bay, increasing the risk of a fire.
Also read: Types Of Gas Land Rover Discovery Sport Takes (L550)
8. Fuel Gauge Reads Lower Than Actual Level
Specific 2017 models were recalled because the fuel gauge either indicated that there was no fuel when there was or that enough fuel was left when the car was already almost empty. Especially the second situation was dangerous because this meant the car could potentially shut off when driving on a busy road. The recall was carried out under number 18V337000, and it turned out a software update was enough to fix the problem.
9. Engine Failure Due To Crankshaft Pulley Bolt
2019 models of the Discovery Sport with a V6 or V8 engine were recalled because of a faulty crankshaft pulley bolt. This bolt had an increased risk of fracturing, resulting in complete engine failure if it did. A recall was carried out under number 19V040000, and it involved replacing the center crankshaft pulley bolt for a bolt that was able to withstand the stresses put onto it.
10. Lagging Acceleration
One problem that didn’t have a recall was the noticeable lag in acceleration with the 2015 models. For some drivers, this meant that they would press the accelerator and would have to wait 1-2 seconds for the car to move. This would then result in a surge forward, which would cause dangerous situations.
In some cases, it turned out that the vehicle adaptive learning system that the Discovery Sport uses is not designed that well. Therefore, owners suggested resetting this system to see if it made any difference. In some cases, it did indeed make a difference. To reset this system, you need to reset the automatic transmission, which is done as follows:
- Press the “Start” button only. (i.e., Do NOT start the engine.)
- Press and hold the gas pedal to the floor for approx. 15secs.
- Press the “Start” button again.
- Release the gas pedal.
- Wait approx. 2mins.; start the engine and drive.
11. License Plate Lamp Detaches
In June 2016, Land Rover had to recall specific 2015 – 2016 models of the Discovery Sport because of an issue with the build quality. The license plate lamps would fall out in some vehicles, which meant the license plate wasn’t illuminated at night. This is, of course, illegal, and therefore, a recall had to be carried out, which they did under number 16V274000.
12. Trailer Light Doesn’t Function
In April of 2020, Land Rover started recalling specific 2017 models of the Discovery Sport, especially those equipped with low-line headlight assemblies. The trailer lights may not function properly when towing a trailer. This happens especially when the trailer lights are connected to the trailer socket, and the daytime running lights are on. The recall was carried out under number 20V143000, and it involved updating the body control module software.
13. Control Arm Fastener Failure
A small number of 2016 – 2017 models of the Discovery Sport had problems with the suspension. Due to an assembly error, the front lower control arm fasteners could fail. This could result in separation of the steering knuckle and hazardous situations. A recall was issued for this problem in January of 2017. The solution involved replacing the parts that connect the front lower control arm to the steering knuckle.
14. Second Row Seat Back Doesn’t Latch
Around 800 Discovery Sports made in 2015 were recalled at the end of the same year because of a back seat that didn’t latch properly. In this case, the problem involved the center part of the second row specifically. These cars were recalled, and the seating mechanism was inspected and replaced if necessary under number 15V600000.
15. Unexpectedly Disabled Passenger Airbag
The airbags of the 2015 and 2016 model years proved to be a tripping point for Land Rover in the beginning. The 2015 model year was recalled because the system wrongly identified lighter passengers in the front seat. This would disable the passenger airbag and increase the risk of injury in a crash (15V093000).
The 2016 model year was recalled for a similar issue with two different recalls. However, the passenger frontal air bag inflator initiator would fail to inflate in the case of a crash (17V154000, 16V941000). This initiator was replaced.
16. Loss Of Braking Assistance
Finally, many Land Rover vehicles, including the 2015 model year of the Discovery Sport, were recalled because of a sudden loss of braking assistance. The brake vacuum hose may have been incorrectly routed in the affected vehicles, allowing a hole to be worn into it. The recall began in March 2015 and was carried out under number 15V042000. The vacuum hoses were inspected and replaced if necessary.
What’s The Worst Model Year Of The Land Rover Discovery Sport?
Finally, we have to answer what the best model year of the Land Rover Discovery Sport is when you’re in the market for one. After doing our research, and the article that we’ve written above, there’s only one conclusion we can draw:
The 2015 – 2016 model years of the Land Rover Discovery Sport are the worst model years you can get. This is because these models have had recalls for loss of braking power, non-deployment of airbags, non-closing doors, and detachment of the license plate lighting. Also, these cars have lagging acceleration.
The 2018 model year of the Land Rover Discovery is the best model year you can get. This is because this model was made at the end of the first generation, which meant the problems of the 2015 – 2017 model years had been solved. Furthermore, this model year was only recalled once for engine fire risk and had very few complaints.
Sources
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle
- https://www.discoverysport.net/threads/slow-acceleration-or-turbo-lag-solution.12265/
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!