Land Rover carries a long history of building rugged and tough vehicles. For this reason, their cars have always been practical in any situation. The Land Rover Discovery is a premium midsize SUV that is up against the Cadillac XT6, the Acura MDX, and the BMW X5. The 2020 Land Rover Discovery only sold 5,811 units, making it stay low against its rivals. This is the reason why the Discovery has a low 3 complaints and 5 recalls registered. The majority of users faced electrical issues but when it comes to the build quality, it is a sturdy car. Also, the fact that this car does not carry a star rating on NHTSA worries the buyers a little. Let us go through the complaints in detail and better understand the Land Rover Discovery.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Battery – Users complained about the dash lights and electrical gauges disengaging. This also disengaged the start/stop button along with safety features like the airbags. The dealership inspected the car and stated that power from the battery was running low and the reason for it was determined to be a faulty ground connector, which was replaced as part of a recall.
- Powertrain – The owners reported that the car suddenly lost its power and decelerated with “gearbox failure” displayed on the cluster. The car gradually stalled and had to be towed to the dealers as it wouldn’t start again. Mechanics performed a diagnostics and it was found that the powertrain control module malfunctioned, which was fixed with an update.
- Transmission – Users complained that the car would not move forward even after shifting the gear into drive. At times, the transmission would automatically shift to park while the car is moving and it takes the driver multiple tries before the car can move again. The dealers were contacted and it was said that the Transmission Control Module needed to be replaced as it was malfunctioning.
Safety Problems
- Seatbelt – Multiple users stated that the front passenger seatbelt would lock and not unlatch, trapping the occupant. Some even claimed that manipulating the buckle for a while would unlatch the belt and dealers confirmed this to be a fault with the seatbelt itself. Replacing the unit with a new one solved the issue.
Structural Problems
- Water leaks – Users reported that after driving in rain they noticed water leaking into the cabin from the area where the roof meets the windshield. The water was directly leaking onto the drive selector and other electronics while leaving the headliner completely soaked. Dealers found the seal around the windshield to be weak which meant that the vehicle has to be assessed for water damages, windshield replacement, and mold cleaning. This was said to be a known issue and certain owners had to wait for weeks before their vehicles were returned.
2020 Land Rover Discovery recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
26th August 2021 |
21V668000 |
Seatbelt automatic locking retractor malfunction. |
An unrestrained child restraint system can increase the risk of injury. |
The seatbelt assembly will be inspected and replaced by the dealers. |
|
2. |
17th June 32021 |
21V457000 |
Loss of electrical power from a loose ground stud. |
This can lead to electrical faults and also cause the vehicle to shut off abruptly. |
Dealers will replace the ground stud. |
|
3. |
25th February 2021 |
21V117000 |
High beam malfunction. |
The driver may be unaware that the high beams are illuminated, reducing the visibility of oncoming traffic. |
The dealers will update the vehicle’s software. |
|
4. |
10th November 2020 |
20V694000 |
Loss of electrical power from a loose ground stud. |
If the vehicle shuts down or loses electrical power while driving, there could be an increased risk of a crash. |
The ground stud will be replaced by the dealers. |
|
5. |
30th January 2020 |
20V053000 |
Second-row seat fasteners may be missing. |
In the event of a crash, the seats may not properly secure the occupants, increasing the risk of injury. |
The second-row seat frame will be replaced and properly tightened with bolts. |
Should you buy the 2020 Land Rover Discovery?
A car having electrical issues is always easier to fix when compared to mechanical flaws. In the case of the 2020 Land Rover Discovery, it has electrical failures but recalls solved the issue. Apart from having a seat frame and seatbelt problem, the Discovery proved itself to be a reliable car. The $52,300 price tag makes it the affordable option and yet holds the most power in its class. However, the superior quality and finish of the rivals make them the better cars as far as luxury goes. It's evident that the Discovery is the practical car here and can take on any terrain thrown at it. We recommend you pick the 2020 Land Rover Discovery as it is affordable, practical, and fun to drive.
