Discovery (LR3)
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
4.4-V8-Gas
4.4L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Land Rover Discovery Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
4.0-V6-Gas
4.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Land Rover Discovery, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery
On a used 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the suspension (40), the electrical system (30) and the wheels and tires (28). 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.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 40 owner complaints on the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery about the suspension.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery about the electrical system.
- Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery about the wheels and tires.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Recalls (7)
LAND ROVER IS RECALLING 37,142 MY 2005-2006 LR3 AND RANGE ROVER SPORT VEHICLES. RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL HUB AND/OR THE STEERING COLUMN COWL WITH THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH INCLUDES THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUITRY, COULD RESULT IN FRACTURING OF THE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTION. IF AN AIR BAG WIRE FRACTURES, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT INDICATES TO THE DRIVER THAT THERE IS A CONCERN WITH THE SRS SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT IMMEDIATE REPAIR IS NECESSARY.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET THULE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACKS WITH FOLD DOWN STYLE BIKE ARMS. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL TANKS THAT CONTAIN AN INTERNAL BREATHER PIPE THAT WAS NOT MADE TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SWELLING AND CRACKING OF A GROMMET AND SUBSEQUENT DETACHMENT OF THE BREATHER PIPE FROM A CONNECTOR TUBE. WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK IS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE DETACHED JOINT, FUEL MAY THEN ENTER THE BREATHER PIPE AND EXCESS FUEL MAY BE DISCHARGED ONTO THE GROUND.
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED OFF, AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, IT IS POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN PARK.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Show 2 older recalls
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A INCORRECTLY BUILT SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTINGS.
SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL TANKS THAT CONTAIN AN INTERNAL BREATHER PIPE THAT WAS NOT MADE TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SWELLING AND CRACKING OF A GROMMET AND SUBSEQUENT DETACHMENT OF THE BREATHER PIPE FROM A CONNECTOR TUBE. WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK IS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE DETACHED JOINT, FUEL MAY THEN ENTER THE BREATHER PIPE.
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Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery complaints?
Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the electrical system and the wheels and tires.
Is the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery 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 174 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery have?
NHTSA has 174 owner complaints on file for the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery 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 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery 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?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the suspension, the electrical system and the wheels and tires, 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 have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2005-2009 Land Rover Discovery. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 174 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.