FaultScore

Land Rover Discovery brake problems

86 of the 784 complaints filed about the Land Rover Discovery are about the braking system — 11% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.

86

Complaints

11%

Share of all complaints

22

Crashes

0

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

Median failure at 120,000 miles

Median failure at 103,000 miles

1996 Discovery 23 26.7%

Median failure at 75,050 miles

1997 Discovery 13 15.1%

Median failure at 88,243 miles

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2000 Discovery 9 10.5%

Median failure at 95,500 miles

Median failure at 130,000 miles

Median failure at 132,000 miles

2003 Discovery 9 10.5%

Median failure at 47,655 miles

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Median failure at 10,000 miles

Median failure at 6,776 miles

What owners said

2020 Land Rover Discovery Sacramento, CA Crash 1 killed

SERVICE BRAKES

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

NHTSA complaint #11739630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 Land Rover Discovery Wilmington, DE

SERVICE BRAKES

System warning lamps -- Hill Descent, Park Fault Brake Detected, Stability Control Not Available, Brake System Fault Detected, Suspension Fault Detected, Electrical Fault Detected, Car not being able to be put in gear. Safety at risk - no, happened in the driveway Problem was reproduced by the dealer Subsequently the infotainment system was resetting resulting in the loss of all options including the cameras etc.

NHTSA complaint #11738751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Land Rover Discovery Newnan, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

This vehicle has an active water intrusion from the headliner above the windshield due to windshield bonding and body seal failure. Water is dripping down and entering the dashboard area and shorting electrical control modules behind the media/glove box and media console. Each time the media/glove box is opened, the HVAC system shorts and forces the defrost system to activate involuntarily. The vehicle also exhibits Park Brake Fault warnings, delayed and intermittent no-start conditions, brake fluid loss, and electrical instability. This is an active electrical short inside federally regulated safety systems, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. The defect is progressive and continues to worsen

NHTSA complaint #11709050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Land Rover Discovery at 106,683 miles Dallas, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2004 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to immediately stop the vehicle. The contact aggressively slammed on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was slightly drifting to the left. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the EVAP was leaking and needed to be replaced. The EVAP was replaced. The mechanic had not diagnosed the brake failure. The vehicle was picked up, and the dealer informed the contact to drive the vehicle for another 25 miles to see if the check engine warning light would illuminate again. The contact stated that after leaving the dealer, 48 miles later, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact called the mechanic, who decided not to inspect the vehicle again, but instead refunded the cost for the previous repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,683.

NHTSA complaint #11680950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Land Rover Discovery Washington, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #11457043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Land Rover Discovery at 6,776 miles Huber Heights, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

NOV 16 2019 I BOUGHT I WAS ON ROAD ON FLORIDA AND SUDDENLY ALL LIGHTS COME ON DASH BOARD I TOOK NEAR CAR DEALER HE CHECK WITH CODE READER AND EVERY THING OK I DROVE BACK TO DAYTON,OHIO SITTING AT DEALERAND I HAD SAME PROBLEM AND MY VEHICLE IS THEIR ALMOST 9 ( WEEKS ) AND I NOT FIXED YET I TRY TO CALL CORPORATE OFFICE TRY TO TALK TO THEM I AM NOT GETTING RESONSE FROM THEM LOOKS LIKE MY CAR IS NOT FIXEBLE LOOKS LIKE IT IS A LEMON SO PLEASE CAN YOU TRY OUT WHAT IS WRONG THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #11359966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Land Rover Discovery at 161,200 miles Grand Rapids, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

SEEMS AS IF EITHER THE BRAKE BOOSTER OR A PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS NOT PROVIDING AMPLE STOPPING POWER. THE VEHICLE HAS A DIFFICULT TIME STOOPING IN A HARD BRAKING SCENARIO EITHER FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR FROM A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN WHEN WE REALIZED A VEHICLE WAS COMING AND HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AS IT SHOULD HAVE. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE AND THOUGHT THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL BUT YOUR WEBSITE SAYS OTHERWISE.

NHTSA complaint #11306569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Land Rover Discovery at 10,000 miles Rochester Hills, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE PEDAL ALWAYS SPEAKS. COUNTLESS RATTLES IN VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11155742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Land Rover Discovery Fair Grove, MO Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, LEFT THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A CULVERT AND A HIGHWAY SIGN. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SPINE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11121302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Land Rover Discovery at 165,000 miles Livonia, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP MY GRANDCHILD THERE WAS SOME VIBRATING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THAN A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY RUBBER BURNING SMELL AND LOST OF CONTROL OF CAR. MANAGED TO PULL OVER CAR WOULD NOT ROLLING HAD TO ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE. HAD CAR TOWED HOME. DRIVE SHAFT SEPERATED AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION PAN. BROKE PIECES OFF OF TANSMISSION. CHANGE ROTORS AND BRAKE AND CAR STILL WILL NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT SLIDING A BIT. ABS LIGHTS COME ON EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS. BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPEN WHILE IM DRIVING STREETS OR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11111344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Land Rover Discovery at 132,000 miles Santa Paula, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

CATASTROPHIC INJURIES SUSTAINED!!!! LOSS OF LIFE ALMOST OCCURRED! I WAS DRIVING MY LAND ROVER ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE BRAKE DRUM FELL APART WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PARTS FROM THE BRAKE DRUM PIERCED THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAME IN THROUGH THE DRIVER SEAT I WAS SITTING IN AND CAUSE ME MAJOR INTERNAL INJURIES THAT LED TO ME BEING HOSPITALIZED FOR 52 DAYS. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN OR THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THE FAILURE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES THAT HELP PEOPLE BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. THE PICTURES OF THE CAR PARTS THAT WERE REMOVED FROM MY ABDOMINAL AREA AND PICTURES OF THE SEAT I WAS SITTING ON. I FILED A LAW SUIT AND IT SETTLED OUT OF COURT SO THIS IS THE BEST WAY I COULD THINK OF TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THE DANGER THESE VEHICLES POSSES.

NHTSA complaint #11030242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Land Rover Discovery at 102,000 miles Wilmington, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED AFTER PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED AND DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW AND STOP. REPAIR SHOP STATED "BRAKE PIPES ATTACHED TO FRAME HAD RUSTED EXCESSIVELY ALONG WITH FRAME, A VERY COMMON ISSUE". WHILE SEARCHING INTERNET I EASILY FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVING RUSTED BRAKE LINES/PIPES AND LAND ROVER (LR) DISCOVERY FRAMES. UPON FURTHER SEARCH I NOTED TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME RUST ISSUES RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL. MY LR TECH SAID THE FRAME DEGRADATION DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE DISCOVERY MODEL IS A SAFETY CONCERN! I'M A CERTIFIED OSHA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR AND AM QUITE CONCERNED OVER THE PUBLIC SAFETY WITH THIS KNOWN EXCESSIVE CORROSION PROBLEM WITH LR DISCOVERY BRAKE LINES(PIPES) AND FRAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10937382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Land Rover Discovery at 150,000 miles Arcata, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

GAS TANK RECALL DONE IN SAN FRANCISCO BUT THEY FAILED TO CHECK THE FUEL FILLER NECK PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MYSTERY ISSUES EVER SINCE, RULING OUT THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP AS THEY WERE BOTH NEW. I HAVE SINCE TRACKED THE PROBLEM TO THE FUEL FILLER NECK THAT THE DEALER FAILED TO FIX. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND REPAIRED IN THE SAME MANNER. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT COME UP IN A RECALL SEARCH FOR THE FILLER NECK AND I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE MINE. I HAVE READ ALL 80 OF THE COMPLAINTS RELATIVE TO THIS PROBLEM AND MINE IS LESS THAN 40 UNITS AWAY FROM THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN BATTLING THE ABS PROBLEMS OF NOT STOPPING AND THE ABS ACTIVATION FOR NO REASON. I ALMOST WRECKED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF THE ABS KICKING ON FOR NO REASON- LOW SPEED, DRY PAVEMENT, EASY SOFT BRAKE PRESSURE. I CLIPPED THE FRONT WHEEL ABS SENSORS AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ABS SINCE. FAULTY SOFTWARE IN THE ABS ECU IS PROBABLY TO BLAME BUT IT WOULD DO NO GOOD TO BLAME THE COMPUTER WITH BODIERS LYING IN THE STREET.

NHTSA complaint #10895775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Land Rover Discovery at 150,000 miles Arcata, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS SYSTEM IS FAULTY. ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS,DRY PAVEMENT, AND LOW OR HIGH PRESSURE ON PEDAL. I CAN HEAR THE PUMP ACTIVATE FOR NO REASON. I ALSO FEEL THE PEDAL VIBRATE AND THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO ROLL. ALMOST KILLED A PEDESTRIAN ONCE OR TWICE. AFTER IT DID THE SAME TO MY WIFE I CLIPPED THE SENSORS AND TOOK OUT THE LIGHT BULB IN THE DASHBOARD. I DRIVE BETTER THAN THE ABS ECU COMPUTES. NO PROBLEMS SINCE COMPLETELY DEACTIVATING AND UNPLUGGING SYSTEM. PLEASE INCLUDE NEW RANGES OF VEHICLES IN THESE RECALLS. I WILL BE POWERLESS TO HAVE THIS REIMBURSED OTHERWISE. ALSO NEED TO RE-EVALUATE RECALL RANGE FOR THE FUEL NECK FILLER PROBLEM. MY TRUCK WAS IN FOR THE TANK RECALL BUT THEY FAILED TO DO THE FILLER NECK AND I HAVE SPENT YEARS TRADING OUT IAC, THROTTLE SENSORS, AND MAF SENSORS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU SANFRANCISCO LAND ROVER. SARCASM INTENDED.

NHTSA complaint #10895778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Land Rover Discovery at 130,000 miles Forest Lake, MN

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE PROPERLY WHILE THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND DOWN HILL SENSOR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10695193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Land Rover Discovery at 10 miles Seattle, WA

SERVICE BRAKES

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. UNDER NORMAL BRAKING ABS IS ACTIVATED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AND CAUSES BRAKES VIBRATE/PULSE AND MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP REQUIRING PUMPING OF BRAKE PEDAL. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN TURNING A CORNER, IE: OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN VERY LIKELY TO HIS PEDESTRIANS OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN UNABLE TO BREAK. AT HIGHER SPEEDS UP TO 25-30 MPH THE SAME SITUATION ARISES BUT YOU GENERALLY HAVE MORE TIME AND DISTANCE TO RECOVER. OTHERWISE BREAKS WORK MOST OF THE TIME, WHICH MAKES THIS GLITCH SO FRUSTRATING AND SEEMINGLY UNRELATED TO BREAK PAD OR WEAR AND TEAR ISSUES, AS SUBSTANTIATED BY SIMILAR NHTSA COMPLAINT #S: 882300, 8011620, 10028658, 10024539, 10110112.

NHTSA complaint #10652143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Land Rover Discovery at 66,450 miles Bound Brook, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PURCHASED LAND ROVER DISCOVERY LESS THEN A MONTH AGO, SINCE THEN THE DASH BOARD LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE WITH THE NUMBER OF WARNING LIGHTS THAT ARE ON. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ABS MODULATOR WAS OUT AND IT WOULD $3500.00 JUST FOR THE PART, EVEN THOUGH I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND A REPAIR KIT FOR UNDER A $100. HOWEVER, THE MOST RECENT WARNING LIGHT IS THE OIL LIGHT AND THE CAR OVER HEATS IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, AND KNOCKS AND BINGS. AFTER READING THE SEVERAL POST ON THIS WEB SIGHT, I TOO AM NOW PART OF A LONG LIST OF CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE MAJOR ISSUES WITH LAND ROVER. WHAT A MISTAKE IT WAS.

NHTSA complaint #10562976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Land Rover Discovery at 131,930 miles Philadelphia, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

TRUCK ABS, DOWNHILL DESCENT, TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON WHEN BRAKE APPLIED. ALL THREE LIGHTS ARE ON. IN EVENT I WAS DRIVING DURING SNOW OR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS DOWN HILL VEHICLE WOULD OF BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL RESULTING IN CRASH AND PHYSICAL INJURY. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SHUTTER VALVE FAILURE WHICH CAN BE RESULT OF BRAKE FLUID CORRODING ELECTRICAL SWITCHES OR JUST OUTRIGHT FAILURE WHERE REPAIR ESTIMATES RANGE FROM $1200 TO $3800. THIS ISSUE IS NOTORIOUS AMONG 1999-2004 DISCOVERY'S. WHY WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED EVENTUALLY TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE NOW TO PREVENT THE DEATH OF ITS CITIZENS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

NHTSA complaint #10491550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Land Rover Discovery at 88,243 miles Guilford, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

RIGHT FRONT ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTION. UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO ABS ENGAGING. VIBRATED VEHICLE OUT INTO INTERSECTION. LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID BEING T-BONED BY ACCELERATING HARD. HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE. UPON RESEARCHING PROBLEM FOUND IT TO BE COMMON IN 97 DISCOVERY. ALSO FOUND MOST PEOPLE HAVE WOUND IP REMOVING ABS FUSE DUE TO PROBLEM RECURRING EVEN AFTER REPAIR. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL MANY YEARS AGO. LAND ROVER NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10459794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Land Rover Discovery at 80,000 miles Aventura, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AT 45 MPH HAD TO APPLY HARD BRAKING , THE TRUCK'S BRAKING SYSTEM RESPONDED POORLY CAUSING EXTRA LONG BRAKING DISTANCE. THE ABS , HILL DESCEND & TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON JUST BEFORE THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10381880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Land Rover Discovery problems