FaultScore

FaultScore report

2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport problems

Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport with NHTSA between 2017 and 2026. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 6 worst.

C

FaultScore 56/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

How this is worked out

The numbers

61

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

31,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

57%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 73 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 97 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 73
Against the median year of the Land Rover Discovery Sport. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 97
57% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2017 compares with every other Land Rover Discovery Sport

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 15 24.6%

Median failure at 29,500 miles

Brakes 8 13.1%

Median failure at 40,617 miles

Electrical System 6 9.8%

Median failure at 31,000 miles

Steering 5 8.2%

Median failure at 47,635 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 5 8.2%

Median failure at 77,471 miles

Other & Unspecified 4 6.6%

Median failure at 11,055 miles

Body & Structure 4 6.6%

Median failure at 4,555 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 3 4.9%

Median failure at 37,942 miles

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 2 3.3%
Wheels 2 3.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 3.3%

Median failure at 88,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 3.3%

Median failure at 26,028 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 1.6%

Median failure at 28,000 miles

Seat Belts 1 1.6%
Suspension 1 1.6%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 7.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 3.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 5 17.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 13 46.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 14.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 3.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 7.1%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 2017 peak 4 Jun 2026

NHTSA investigations into the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

1 investigation is still open.

EA21002 Opened 17 Sep 2021 Still open AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...

Recalls on the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

16V942000

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles and 2016-2017 Land Rover Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have seatbelt pretensioners that may not function properly in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners do not function properly, the seat occupants may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

16V889000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles manufactured May 30, 2016, to August 24, 2016, and 2016-2017 Range Rover Evoque vehicles manufactured June 7, 2016, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles have front lower control arm fasteners that may fail due to an assembly error, possibly resulting in separation of the steering knuckle.

Risk: If the fasteners were to fail causing the knuckle to separate, vehicle handling may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2018180 8,104 units in Canada

Steering

On certain vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), the bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture. This could allow the power steering gear assist motor to move, causing the belt to slip which could result in a loss of power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist would require additional steering effort which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the aluminum mounting bolts with coated steel bolts and will apply a corrosion-preventative sealer around the gear housing and connecting bolts. If a bolt is found to be broken or breaks during the course of the repair, a replacement steering gear will be installed.

Recall 2016653 1,459 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles may have been equipped with front seat belt pretensioners that do not meet specifications. This could cause the pretensioners to fail to deploy in the event of a crash, which could increase the risk of injury to the front seat occupants. Correction: Dealers will check the production date of the front seat belt assemblies (which incorporate the pretensioners) and replace as necessary.

Recall 2016615 25 units in Canada

Steering

On certain vehicles, the front lower control arm ball joints may fail due to a manufacturing process error. if this occurs, the knuckle could separate from the front lower control arm, which could affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction : Dealers will inspect and replace the lower control arm to knuckle bolt and nut as necessary.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Brooklyn, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I took my vehicle to a land rover dealership based upon 2 service bulletins issued by the manufacturer N768, sfcc_apr2022_17 and NHTSA item number 10211119. The Land Rover dealership refused to service the vehicle for those bulletins. I have a heart condition with 20% ejection factor. Since the telematics do not work in the event of a medical emergency my vehicle cannot be located for first responders. The dealer and manufacturer are not flashing or upgrading the telematics to modern standards which can be done easily by installing new software and/or changing out the telematics unit for 4G/5G compatible units and/or reprogrmming older units. As a result drivers with medical conditions are being put at risk if a medical emergency arises because the car cannot communicate to first responders as to its location to help an incapacitated driver.

NHTSA complaint #11743797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I took my vehicle to a land rover dealership based upon 2 service bulletins issued by the manufacturer N768, sfcc_apr2022_17 and NHTSA item number 10211119. The Land Rover dealership refused to service the vehicle for those bulletins. I have a heart condition with 20% ejection factor. Since the telematics do not work in the event of a medical emergency my vehicle cannot be located for first responders. The dealer and manufacturer are not flashing or upgrading the telematics to modern standards which can be done easily by installing new software and/or changing out the telematics unit for 4G/5G compatible units and/or reprogrmming older units. As a result drivers with medical conditions are being put at risk if a medical emergency arises because the car cannot communicate to first responders as to its location to help an incapacitated driver.

NHTSA complaint #11743797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simpsonville, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The car showed a gear box faultvwarning and the transmission locked. The battery low voltage also came on . Have not been able to fix problem. Keri’s happing at random times

NHTSA complaint #11731584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simpsonville, SC

ENGINE

The car showed a gear box faultvwarning and the transmission locked. The battery low voltage also came on . Have not been able to fix problem. Keri’s happing at random times

NHTSA complaint #11731584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simpsonville, SC

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The car showed a gear box faultvwarning and the transmission locked. The battery low voltage also came on . Have not been able to fix problem. Keri’s happing at random times

NHTSA complaint #11731584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calumet, MI

STEERING

Total loss of power steering. Was able to avoid crash but extremely dangerous. Has to get it towed to dealer $6,800 fix for total rack replacement due to bolts sheering off from EPS. Research shows this is a known issue due to faulty aluminum bolts in areas that salt roads.

NHTSA complaint #11723191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blaine, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BLOWER MOTOR stopped working. Due to the lack of forced air in the cabin, the windows and windshield fog up and it is impossible to see safely. Blower motor or blower motor resistor has failed providing no heat, no air conditioning, no air at all. Land Rover Service repair shop confirmed this is a $6,000+ repair due to needing to remove the dash completely (10 hours of labor). During rainy season, condensation builds in vehicle causing mold.

NHTSA complaint #11721739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blaine, WA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

BLOWER MOTOR stopped working. Due to the lack of forced air in the cabin, the windows and windshield fog up and it is impossible to see safely. Blower motor or blower motor resistor has failed providing no heat, no air conditioning, no air at all. Land Rover Service repair shop confirmed this is a $6,000+ repair due to needing to remove the dash completely (10 hours of labor). During rainy season, condensation builds in vehicle causing mold.

NHTSA complaint #11721739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oak Hill, VA

SEAT BELTS

The seat belt buckle was damaged and would not latch or secure properly. It was not broken by use — it was already defective when the vehicle was delivered. I discovered the problem the day after purchase when attempting to use the seat belt. The buckle does not lock, meaning the seat belt cannot restrain the occupant, creating a serious safety risk. The dealer did not disclose this safety defect and rushed the signing process. The dealer has not responded to my attempts to contact them, and the vehicle title has not been submitted to the DMV, so I currently have no permanent plate. UNKNOWN as to the internal cause, but the defect clearly existed before delivery.

NHTSA complaint #11696596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Titusville, FL

SUSPENSION

There was a loud sound coming from the driver’s side. I was told it was the wheel bearing & it sized to the axle & the entire hub/wheel bearing knuckle needed to be changed as well as the axle on the driver’s side. I was told it was dangerous to drive. Upon further inspection the mechanic told me the passenger side was seized to axle too so the same job will need to be done to the passenger side. Now they say I can drive the car but I’m worried about my safety & wonder why the wheel bearings are seizing the axles. This is a costly job. I’d prefer not to have to change the axle each time I need a new wheel bearing. I’m afraid to drive this car more than an hour from home or long distances.

NHTSA complaint #11673983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Los Angeles, CA

POWER TRAIN

Timing chain broke while driving ~30 MPH on [XXX] [xxx]around 2:30pm pt. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11621958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Los Angeles, CA

STEERING

Timing chain broke while driving ~30 MPH on [XXX] [xxx]around 2:30pm pt. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11621958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Silver Spring, MD

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifted to drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond immediately. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The following messages were displayed: "Gear Box Fault", "Forward Collision Fault", "Hill Descent Fault", and several other unknown messages were displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the body harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #11610306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Silver Spring, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifted to drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond immediately. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The following messages were displayed: "Gear Box Fault", "Forward Collision Fault", "Hill Descent Fault", and several other unknown messages were displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the body harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #11610306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staten Island, NY

ENGINE

Upper and lower hoses that the Antifreeze travels through disconnected while driving on the highway due to the dipping in the roadway. Not enough play in the hoses to accommodate the stretching and pulling on the hoses while the car goes up and down resulting in the hose’s disconnecting and losing antifreeze and the engine shutting down. It happened to me 2 times in a matter of 3 weeks resulting in this dangerous situation.

NHTSA complaint #11570720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,271 miles Natick, MA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The contact stated that while reversing from a parking spot, the steering wheel seized. There was an abnormal screeching sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the steering rack and the motor had disconnected. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 64,271.

NHTSA complaint #11568026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, GA

ENGINE

My vehicle just hit over the 90,000 mark. I did all recommended services when they were due, less the spark plug replacement as I just hit that marker. I was driving on 285 in Atlanta in the far left lane and went to speed up which did not occur. My car was still on but would not accelerate. I ended up being able to get to pull over 5 lanes and park. Turned off my car and it would not crank. Called Land Rover SOS and waited 2 hours for a tow to the dealership. In that time I was able to get my car running to get some AC flowing 3 times and heard no crazy noises or knocking noises; attempted to drive each time and pushing the gas got me no more than 5 mph. Dealership called a couple days later stating that although my engine was sludge and metal free ‘meticulously clean’ I needed a new engine due to my engine jumping time. I corrected the service advisor that the timing chain jumps time, not the engine. Requested a service manager to contact me and was told the same thing and that it is a very common problem with my make and model around 100,000-120,000 miles. I requested they pull codes as they encounter this issue and know what it is and didn’t want to waste time and money in the process cuz they knew what the problem was. They provided the codes later that afternoon(P0011 & P052A) and I retrieved more than what they gave me when I took my car off the property to another mechanic as I was not forking over $14,000 for a new engine. I replaced the camshaft sensor myself as a starting point and car would turnover and sputter off like it wasn’t getting gas. After reading other complaints, I see this happens often. Not safe at all to be driving in 5-7 lanes of Atlanta hwy traffic. Still waiting to see what this other mechanic is going to fix.

NHTSA complaint #11559805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My vehicle just hit over the 90,000 mark. I did all recommended services when they were due, less the spark plug replacement as I just hit that marker. I was driving on 285 in Atlanta in the far left lane and went to speed up which did not occur. My car was still on but would not accelerate. I ended up being able to get to pull over 5 lanes and park. Turned off my car and it would not crank. Called Land Rover SOS and waited 2 hours for a tow to the dealership. In that time I was able to get my car running to get some AC flowing 3 times and heard no crazy noises or knocking noises; attempted to drive each time and pushing the gas got me no more than 5 mph. Dealership called a couple days later stating that although my engine was sludge and metal free ‘meticulously clean’ I needed a new engine due to my engine jumping time. I corrected the service advisor that the timing chain jumps time, not the engine. Requested a service manager to contact me and was told the same thing and that it is a very common problem with my make and model around 100,000-120,000 miles. I requested they pull codes as they encounter this issue and know what it is and didn’t want to waste time and money in the process cuz they knew what the problem was. They provided the codes later that afternoon(P0011 & P052A) and I retrieved more than what they gave me when I took my car off the property to another mechanic as I was not forking over $14,000 for a new engine. I replaced the camshaft sensor myself as a starting point and car would turnover and sputter off like it wasn’t getting gas. After reading other complaints, I see this happens often. Not safe at all to be driving in 5-7 lanes of Atlanta hwy traffic. Still waiting to see what this other mechanic is going to fix.

NHTSA complaint #11559805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

WHEELS

I have replaced the tires, the rotors brakes and gad the vehicle aligned multiple times. The steering wheel is still off and not straight and the vehicle still keeps pulling to the right. Last mechanic that did alignment says the vehicle has no camber or castor that can be adjusted. But vehicle is aligned. Makes no sense to me, I believe this is a manufacturing defect.

NHTSA complaint #11559536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have replaced the tires, the rotors brakes and gad the vehicle aligned multiple times. The steering wheel is still off and not straight and the vehicle still keeps pulling to the right. Last mechanic that did alignment says the vehicle has no camber or castor that can be adjusted. But vehicle is aligned. Makes no sense to me, I believe this is a manufacturing defect.

NHTSA complaint #11559536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorado Springs, CO

SERVICE BRAKES

Right front brake line rupture at 67477 miles.

NHTSA complaint #11531193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanover, MD

POWER TRAIN

2017 Discovery Sport SE - 110,000 miles - gearbox fault Traveling on Highway 81 South, Shenandoah, Virginia approx 70 mph when the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. The message on the dashboard indicated "Gearbox Fault". Pulled over stopped turned off the vehicle and then restarted, the message cleared and the vehicle returned to normal performance. After traveling another 40 miles, while accelerating uphill, the vehicle lost acceleration and began slowing to a stop. Highway 81 South is a well-traveled route with a speed limit of 70 and is popular with tractor-trailers. The potential for a severe accident was high considering the fact that we were traveling at the speed limit with multiple tractor-trailers at a speed of 70mph. The issue is intermittent so difficult to pick up on a diagnostic test. We have taken the vehicle to several mechanics who have noted this common with Land Rovers of this model.

NHTSA complaint #11519870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanover, MD

ENGINE

2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport, HSE - 81,000 miles - broken timing chain, engine damage. The vehicle was stopped at a light when it completely shut down, would not restart, would not advance, and would not go into neutral to be pushed off to the side of the road. This occurred on my way to work during the morning rush hour. For my own safety, I had to leave the vehicle in the middle of the street and walk to a safe place to wait for assistance. The vehicle remained in the middle of a bi-directional, 2-lane intersection for 3 hours waiting for a tow truck. The vehicle has ~ 81,000 miles. Had an oil change and diagnostic one month prior to the failure. The diagnostic was done because the engine light came on, but then went back off. The diagnostic test reported no issues found with the vehicle. Just one month later, the engine failed. The diagnostic after the engine failure reported the timing chain broke and damaged the engine. This vehicle went from without any issues to a broken timing chain and engine damage in one month's time. Of note, when I looked up recalls on this vehicle, I noticed there was the same issue that resulted in a timing chain recall for the 2013-2014 Land Rover Discovery.

NHTSA complaint #11519868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Newark, DE

SERVICE BRAKES

I purchased a car from Car N Drive on 01/04/2023, om 01/25/2023 my brake caliber came lose as it wasn't put on correctly. It scratched my rim. I requested Car N Drive to repair the caliber and replace the rim, they repaired the caliber and refused to replace the rim. Fast forward to 03/11/2023, I took my car to the Land Rover Dealership in Wilmington, DE to have an oil change to find that my brake pads was zip tied in place and my air filter was never replaced as they stated. I reached out to the manager and he told me he would order the parts on Monday, I reached out to them a few times to no one returning my calls or letting me know the parts was ordered. I have to make the repair myself, on Friday 03/31/2023.

NHTSA complaint #11514456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Healdsburg, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH in the rain, the sunroof separated from the vehicle and detached from the vehicle. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to a nearby dealer, who could not determine the cause of the failure and informed the contact that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the Insurance Company for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA complaint #11511618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.