What 93 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport (5 Seat)

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 ODI 11731584

I am filing this complaint regarding a catastrophic engine failure on my 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury with the 3.0L V6 supercharged engine. The failure was caused by a broken timing chain, which resulted in severe internal engine damage. This component failure has been confirmed by an independent Land Rover specialist, and the damaged parts — including the broken chain — are available for inspection upon request. The incident put our safety at risk, as the vehicle experienced sudden loss of engine power while in operation. A complete engine stall, especially in traffic or at highway speeds, could easily lead to loss of power steering and braking assistance, significantly increasing the chance of an accident. Prior to the failure, we noticed several warning signs, including an illuminated check engine light, rough idling, and multiple diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), such as P0018, P0019, P0300, P0304, P0305, and P0306. These symptoms began appearing a few weeks before the engine failed completely, but escalated quickly. To our knowledge, there is no recall or technical service bulletin (TSB) addressing this known issue on this model and engine configuration. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Land Rover, the police, or any insurance agency, but the independent mechanic confirmed that the failure was internal and directly related to the timing chain system. We are submitting this report in the interest of public safety, as this type of failure on a vehicle with regular maintenance and 140,000 miles should not occur without warning. We believe this may indicate a broader reliability issue with the timing system in these engines and urge the NHTSA to investigate.

NHTSA ODI 11663784

Had engine cooling system repaired at dealer in 2023. In late 2024/early 2025 - engine coolant loss returned. We maintained engine coolant at recommended levels until we could get vehicle into dealership for diagnosis and repair. During routine local trip, low coolant light suddenly came on and immediately following that, engine stopped in the middle of traffic. Wife was barely able to navigate vehicle to safe place alongside the road. Vehicle was towed to dealer. They diagnosed engine failure due to oil cooling system failure. We contacted JLR and they offered no solutions. This is a $40,000 repair on a vehicle worth at most $20 to $25,000 retail. We had to dispose of it to a salvage buyer at an extreme loss.

NHTSA ODI 11650887

This particular vehicle comes with a plastic coolant water outlet. When the plastic melts, it causes the coolant system to fail, and the engine will overheat. The plastic can only withstand heat up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Most engines run at 195-220. There was no reason for the manufacturer to use this type of plastic. Over 1,000 aftermarket coolant water outlets have been sold as a replacement for the manufacturer's part. There is a class action lawsuit for the faulty coolant water outlet. [XXX] v. Tata Motors Group, Jaguar Land Rover Limited, and Jaguar Land Rover North America LLC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11621953

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 ODI 11570720

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 ODI 11559805

I have purchased this vehicle from CarMax which was sent in by way of the Texas store to Georgia October 31, 2022. It has only been a year and since I have had the vehicle the engine light kept coming on I took it back, they reset it it came back on I have Extended Warranty on the vehicle and they are trying to charge me to fix the issue because they do not have the tools to fix it and it has to go to an authorized Land Rover dealer service department. Oil is leaking from the vehicle which it should not be and they want to charge over $6000 to fix it

NHTSA ODI 11549608

The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that both the front driver side seat belt pretensioner and door latch were defective, which caused the warning light to illuminate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11549393

I was driving on a very busy road in Portland when my engine suffered catastrophic failure and seized the engine. This was due to a defect in the crankshaft. My family and I are lucky this didn’t happen at speed on a highway. Land Rover has failed to acknowledge a problem despite thousands of people experiencing the same. This resulted in a 26k bill. I just found out I could report my experience so I am now. Research has uncovered this is a common problem and a safety concern for many others as well. https://www.thepetitionsite.com/535/903/886/land-rover-sdv6-amp-tdv6-crank-failure/ https://www.lrukforums.com/threads/crank-shaft-snapping.263315/ There are countless other websites detailing people’s experiences.

NHTSA ODI 11537615

Driving down the highway, the vehicle all the sudden started smoking, forcing me to pull over. Upon pulling over, I found it was a fire under the left front hood based on the smoke pouring out. I called 911 immediately. I attempted to save some belongings, including my $200K boat, but failed to save anything as the fire rapidly grew forcing me to step far away. I then watched my car, boat and belongings all perish to nearly nothing before the fire department arrived and put out the fire. While I am lucky to be safe and have adequate insurance, others may not fair so well when their Land Rover Discovery 5 petrol catches fire.

NHTSA ODI 11537799

was driving on Wa-18 highway going to Snowqualmie Falls with my family. Suddenly I heard a snap from the front and at the same moment the car start shaking from the front so I slowed down trying to go to the right lane so I could stop when i see a chance because I was in an area where there is no emergency curve. The car died couple of seconds after the snap and because the cars were going too fast on the right lane i ended up in the left lane then I saw car Fumes coming from the engine area but I couldn’t exit the car for safety and made sure that I turned off the ignition and was hoping that the car will not go up in flames while im on a freeway and have my wife and my 3 kids in the car with me. A lot of traffic buildup behind me and minutes later the state patrol pushed me to the next exit. I called AAA and towed the car to Land Rover Of Tacoma for an inspection. After they inspected the car, they said that the timing chain was loose and the car need a new engine. At six years old only a car with 65,000 miles not supposed to have a problem with the timing chain. The dealership failed to tell me what’s the reason that the time in chain is loose because this time in chain supposed to last for a longer than 65,000 miles with no problems. I read all over the Internet and everyone is complaining about the Land Rover timing chain brake or get loose with low mileage and many of these people say the car went off on the freeway and put them on a dangerous situation just like what happened with me and my family.

NHTSA ODI 11525128

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 ODI 11519868

Hello, My 2017 Land Rover with 63,000 miles on it had engine failure while driving on the highway - (the car is a great condition and has been to all service requirements at the dealerships)- the dealership is stating the cam shaft sensor failure, allegedly causing total engine failure. I know there was a similar recall on the 2014 Land Rover Discovery Sport - I wasn't sure if you had also received any information on later years for the car model.

NHTSA ODI 11508732

[XXX]-VIN 2017- Discovery Failed Water Pump Detective -Requesting a recall Dear Safety Dept, The vehicle stop in the middle of the road and did not start back up. The vehicle was code for low coolant and issue stating a water pump and manifold crack in a plastic part connect to the engine. I only had the this vehicle for 11 months since the light came on back in November. I'm being told I need to pay 2,300-3,000 to repair this vehicle. They shared I'm out of warranty back at 50, 000 in Miles when I bought the vehicle. I need this repair fixed asap and this is safety problem traveling on a Hwy or street and systems failed. Please call me at [XXX]. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11448169

Cam position sensor failure, timing chain tensioner failure, valve cover cracked.

NHTSA ODI 11447548

The windshield failed allowing rain water to pool in the floorboards of the vehicle. The electronics were destroyed, the damage done was well above $20,000.00. Land Rover didn’t take any responsibility as it was 40 days outside of warranty. The car had less than 40,000 miles on it. Likely my insurance kicked in and declared the vehicle a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11443588

I purchased a used 2017 Disco sport last July in great condition. After one year of driving it, and reaching a total of 70k miles, the camshaft intake actuator broke off, separating from the car. Clearly highlighting a textbook NHTSA “critical safety defect”. I only noticed the issue due to the check engine light and an engine fluttering noise. My local LR technician openly confirmed with me that this routinely happens with the 2015-2017 discovery sport and other Evoque models, as reported in LR’s technical bulletin (LTB00916NAS5 - Intake Camshaft Variable Cam Timing Actuator - Component Failure). In order to to fix this part I was been quoted $2362.00, and was told the part is essentially the same and could likely break again, putting myself and passengers at serious risk. When I told Land Rover’s customer service center of the issue they said they are not responsible since the warranty only cover the first 50k miles. Since this has been acknowledged by Land Rover as a common component failure, which has led to the part being on back order, it warrants LR to submit a formal recall on the part. Fixing it should also be free of charge. I feel it is unethical and irresponsible to Land Rover’s customers, to expect them to pay for an engineering failure both with their wallet and potentially their lives.

NHTSA ODI 11434297

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JAGUAR LAND ROVER ANAHEIM HILLS (5401 E. LA PALMA, AVENUE, ANAHEIM, CA, 92807, (714) 646-7053) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED FAILURE CODES AT THE CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE THAT THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,028.

NHTSA ODI 11397436

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED EVERY 12,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JAGUAR LAND ROVER ANAHEIM HILLS (5401 E. LA PALMA AVE, ANAHEIM, CA 92807, (714) 646-7053) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE AIR FILTER TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE ISSUE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,525.

NHTSA ODI 11391082

THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE IN LANDROVER DISCOVERY 2017 THAT ABRUPTLY SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ON NOV 20TH, 2020 MY WIFE WAS TRAVELLING TO PITTSBURGH PA ON ROUTE 76 PA TURNPIKE. NEAR BRADFORDFORD, PA THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT ITSELF DOWN WITHOUT ANY PRE-WARNING. THE CAR STALLED WITH NO ABILITY OR AMPLE TIME FOR HER TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER. UNTIL HIGHWAY PATROL ARRIVED, SHE WAS COMPLETELY LEFT IN A HELPLESS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. ANY BIG TRUCK COULD'VE EASILY REAR ENDED HER AND KILLED HER. HIGHWAY PATROL AND TURNPIKE AUTHORITY SERVICE PERSONNEL ARRIVED ONSITE, INSPECTED THE CAR BUT DID NOT FIND ANY APPARENT ISSUE. WITHOUT ANYTHING DONE ON THE CAR, AFTER 15 MINS OR SO THE ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11375786

THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY THAN OUT OF THE BLUE. IT LOOSES POWER, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING ADVISING NOT TO CONTINUE DRIVING. CODE ADVISING P0299 'TURBO CHARGER'COMMON PROBLEM APPARENTLY MECHANICS ADVISING ONLINE FORUMS AND REPAIR IDEAS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 ON IT AND ALL APPROVED MAINTENANCE. NOW THEY ARE DENYING MAJOR REPAIR THAT IS A COMMON ISSUE!!

NHTSA ODI 11342410

BOTH BACK ROTORS FAILED, UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE. REPEATED ENGINE LIGHT NOTIFICATIONS. POOR DRIVING, STALLING WHEN TURNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324429

WAS DRIVING SPEED LIMIT AND MOVING WITH TRAFFIC ON MAJOR CITY ROAD WHEN BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR. CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO PARK AND COULD NOT MOVE OR TURN ON. GOT A NOTE ON THE DASH THAT SYSTEM WAS SHUTTING DOWN. CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED 4 MONTH PRIOR.

NHTSA ODI 11307322

I WAS DRIVING ON MAIN ROAD AT THE SPEED LIMIT (45 MPH). I HAD SLOWED DOWN AS I OBSERVED A CAR PULLING OUT AHEAD OF ME ONTO THE ROAD. AS I GAVE MY VEHICLE GAS IN ORDER TO GET BACK UP TO SPEED, I FELT A PAUSE IN THE ENGINE AND THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER- THE ENGINE STOPPED, THE RED BATTERY ICON APPEARED ON THE DASH, AND MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN WITH THE HEADING "SPECIAL PROGRAM SUSPENDED" OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT-- I HAD NO TIME TO READ THAT MESSAGE AS I HAD TO STEER MY CAR AS FAR TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS ABLE TO. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AND THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED-- I HAD NO CHANCE TO READ IT AS I WAS ON A BUSY AND HEAVY TRAVELED ROAD AND HAD TO ENSURE I WAS SAFELY PULLED OVER. UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME AS TO WHAT CAUSED THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS THE CAR LOST POWER WITH NO FOREWARNING. I AM LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY ON WHICH I TRAVEL MOST OF THE TIME. I CONTACTED LAND ROVER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE CAR WAS PUT ON A FLATBED AND BROUGHT TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11209915

I WAS DRIVING FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY TO LONG ISLAND VIA I-695 HEADING TOWARD THE THROGS NECK BRIDGE ON 12/12/18. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE JUST BEFORE THE LAST EXIT BEFORE THE BRIDGE WHEN MY DASHBOARD WENT DARK, THE RED BATTERY LIGHT (BELOW THE SPEEDOMETER) CAME ON, I LOST POWER AND STEERING. LUCKILY A SMALL SHOULDER OPENED UP AND I WAS ABLE TO TUG THE WHEEL LEFT TO GET INTO THE SHOULDER BEFORE MY CAR COMPLETELY ROLLED TO A STOP. I AVOIDED A CRASH BUT IT WAS LUCK. I HAD TO BE TOWED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND BACK TO THE DEALER. CLEARLY THIS WAS NO BATTERY ISSUE (AS DRIVING RECHARGES A BATTER). THE DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER DIAGNOSED IT AS A DISCONNECTED VACUUM LINE. THE REPAIR NOTES INDICATE THAT IT WAS RECONNECTED USING A "ZIP TIE." WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT WHETHER THAT WAS THE APPROPRIATE FIX, THE DEALER SENT ME LR'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DESCRIBING THE REPAIR FOR A CERTAIN RANGE OF VINS, INCLUDING MINE. THE ZIP TIE IS THE LAST STEP - THE BULLETIN ALSO SAYS THE LOCKING RING NEEDS TO BE DISCARDED AND A NEW ONE INSTALLED. THE DEALER STILL HAS NOT CONFIRMED WITH ME (2 DAYS LATER) THAT THEY DID THIS. IN ANY EVENT, THIS IS MORE THAN A TECHNICAL SERVICE ISSUE; THIS COULD BE A LIFE OR DEATH ISSUE THAT WARRANTS A RECALL FOR AFFECTED VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11162489