Discovery Sport (L550)
Verdict Buy a 2018 or later car with the revised Ingenium 2.0L, which logs 55 complaints against 107 for the 2015-2017 engine. Get a pre-sale inspection from a shop that knows the brand, starting with the powertrain.
Data covers 5 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
GTDI LEV3 SULEV30
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 240 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
AJ20P
2.0L 4-cyl / 237 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
S/C LEV2 ULEV
3.0L 6-cyl / 340 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Td6 LEV3 LEV160
3.0L 6-cyl / 258 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
Land Rover Discovery Sport Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
AJ20
2.0L Turbo / 247 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.2-I6-Gas
3.2L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
The Land Rover Discovery Sport carries a lighter complaint record than its reputation might suggest, with 227 filed across the L550 generation that ran from 2015 through 2025. The more useful split in the data is by age rather than by total. The early cars, built from 2015 to 2017, account for the bulk of the trouble, while the versions that followed a mid-cycle powertrain change look markedly steadier. For a compact luxury SUV from a brand that carries reliability baggage, the pattern here is more about picking the right year than avoiding the model.
The turning point is the engine. The 2.0-liter four in the 2015 to 2017 cars draws 107 of the generation's complaints. The revised 2.0-liter fitted from 2018 onward, part of Land Rover's Ingenium family, records about half of that, 55 complaints across 2018-2023. A later Discovery Sport is a different ownership proposition from an early one, and the data backs that up rather than assuming it.
Where problems do appear, they cluster in the powertrain and electronics. Engine complaints lead at 74, transmission follows at 46, and electrical faults add 44, all flagged critical. Fuel system and brake complaints trail at lower counts and lower severity. The generation carries sixteen recall campaigns and a single fire report. They include a 48-volt system overload that can short the DC-DC converter on 2020 mild hybrids, seat belt pretensioners and child-seat locking retractors, and a center touchscreen that can go blank at startup and take the rearview camera with it.
This is a used SUV for a buyer who wants the Land Rover badge and cabin without stretching to a Range Rover, and who is willing to shop by year and service history. Steer toward a 2018 or later car, confirm the maintenance was kept up, and the Discovery Sport looks far less daunting than the brand's wider reputation implies.
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Mild Hybrid
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
Battery & propulsion recalls (2)
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs). Insufficient electrical load balancing during times of high demand can lead to a current overload condition and malfunction of the DCDC converter. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, and Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The DC-DC converter may malfunction due to an electrical overload that can occur during high power demand. Additionally, a software error can cause the DC-DC converter to stop functioning at vehicle start-up under certain circumstances. Failure of the DC-DC converter will result in the loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Land Rover Discovery Sport, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
Prioritize model year over trim on the Discovery Sport. A 2018 or later car brings the revised Ingenium 2.0-liter four, which records far fewer complaints than the 2015 to 2017 engine (55 against 107). If the budget forces an earlier car, go in expecting the engine to be the area that most needs a clean bill of health.
At inspection, start with the powertrain. Have the engine checked for leaks and cooling issues, and drive through a full range of gear changes watching for hesitation or harshness, since engine and transmission complaints are the two largest categories. Exercise every electrical feature, from the infotainment screen to the windows and driver aids, because electrical faults are the third critical cluster. A documented service history matters more on this SUV than on most compact rivals.
Budget for independent Land Rover servicing rather than assuming dealer-free ownership, and treat a pre-sale inspection by a shop that knows the brand as a required step, not an optional one. A well-kept 2018-or-later car is the version most likely to reward the choice.
What to check on a used 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport
On a used 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (74), the transmission and drivetrain (46) and the electrical system (44). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 74 owner complaints on the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the engine, all engines combined.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 44 owner complaints on the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the electrical system.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the brakes.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Recalls (16)
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, and Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The DC-DC converter may malfunction due to an electrical overload that can occur during high power demand. Additionally, a software error can cause the DC-DC converter to stop functioning at vehicle start-up under certain circumstances. Failure of the DC-DC converter will result in the loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs). Insufficient electrical load balancing during times of high demand can lead to a current overload condition and malfunction of the DCDC converter. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2025 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery Sport, and 2026 Range Rover Evoque, and Jaguar F-Pace vehicles. Moisture may have entered the gear shift module (GSM) during assembly, which can cause the gear shift position indicator light to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Discovery Sport, 2023-2024 Defender, and 2023 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2024 Defender, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover Sport vehicles. The Near Field Sensing Module (NFSM) may overheat and cause the 3D surround camera images, including the rearview camera image, not to display.
Show 11 older recalls
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles. The lower A-pillar bolt on the right side may be improperly fastened, which can result in reduced structural strength of the body structure.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2022-23 Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport and 2022 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, which can cause the seat belts to not properly restrain occupants.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Range Rover, 2022 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2021 Range Rover Velar, Discovery Sport, 2020-2022 Discovery, and Defender vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020 Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument cluster to randomly alternate the speedometer and odometer units between Miles Per Hour (MPH) and Kilometers Per Hour (KM/H) without driver input to the display unit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque MHEV vehicles. The 48 volt electrical system may experience an overload event, causing a failure of the Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) and result in a DCDC converter electrical short-circuit.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Land Rover Discover Sport vehicles equipped with a 2.0L gasoline engine. The fuel rail end caps may leak, possibly resulting in fuel vapor or liquid fuel leaking into the engine bay.
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.
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.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LCC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2015 Discovery Sport manufactured September 17, 2014 through November 3, 2014 and 2014-2015 Range Rover Evoque vehicles manufactured July 15, 2013 through July 1, 2015. In the affected vehicles the transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles manufactured September 17, 2014, to March 5, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the license plate illumination lamp may fall out. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally or partially disabled.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport complaints?
Owners have filed 227 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The systems they name most often are the engine, the transmission and the electrical system.
Is the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 227 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport have?
NHTSA has 227 owner complaints on file for the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport?
NHTSA lists 16 recalls covering some 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Land Rover Discovery Sport?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the transmission and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Discovery Sport have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2015-2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 227 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.