VehicleVerdict

2017 Land Rover Discovery problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 91 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median Discovery year — the 2017 model ranks #2 of 23 Discovery years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (18), visibility & wipers (14), and engine (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

91

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Discovery years?

Discovery NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted111 complaints1994: 16 complaints1995: 68 complaints1996: 111 complaints1997: 41 complaints1998: 44 complaints1999: 24 complaints2000: 36 complaints2001: 14 complaints2002: 21 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 32 complaints2006: 3 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 91 complaints2018: 51 complaints2019: 64 complaints2020: 31 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 9 complaints2023: 8 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Discovery NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Land Rover Discovery problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1820%
Visibility & Wipers1415%
Other1314%
Engine1314%
Body & Structure67%
Transmission67%
Latches & Locks55%
Fuel System55%
Lighting33%
Brakes22%
Suspension22%
Speed Control11%
Airbags11%
Seat Belts11%
Steering11%

Does the 2017 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V393000Electrical SystemJune 1, 2023 · 29,861 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The UniLatch Keyless Vehicle (KV) entry function may fail to properly latch the rear passenger doors, which can result in the doors opening while driving. In addition, the instrument cluster open-door warning light may fail to alert the driver of this condition.

Consequence

Rear passenger doors that open while driving can increase the risk of a crash. An instrument cluster warning light that fails to alert the driver about unsecured doors can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will disable the UniLatch Keyless Vehicle (KV) entry function, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N798.

20V143000Electrical SystemMarch 12, 2020 · 1,553 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Discovery vehicles equipped with low line headlight assemblies. When towing a trailer with the trailer lights connected to the trailer socket and the vehicle's Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on, the trailer lights may not function.

Consequence

If the trailer lights are not working, following traffic won't be aware the vehicle is slowing down or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2020. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N428.

18V337000Electrical SystemMay 23, 2018 · 1,917 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2017 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery vehicles. The fuel gauge on these vehicles may indicate that the fuel level is low and illuminate the warning lamp, when the fuel tank actually has more fuel. The engine management software may also cut off the engine when the vehicle has traveled approximately 17 more miles.

Consequence

If the engine were to shut off, it can cause loss of power brake assistance. An engine stall would cause a loss of drive power. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update to correct the fuel level reading, free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2018. Owners may Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N206.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 23, 2023 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 14, 2021

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 23, 2023 · fire

“YOUR WEBSITE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE EXISTENCE OF A 2017 DISCOVERY. INSTEAD IT LISTS ONLY DISCOVERY SPORT, AND ENTIRELY DIFFERENT VEHICLE WITH AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS. THEREFORE, I CANNOT TRUST YOUR LISTING OF RECALLS, ETC. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND CORRECT BOTH THE SEARCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 29, 2021

“The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that water was leaking from the front driver-side visor. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 1, 2022

2017 Land Rover Discovery — common questions

Is the 2017 Land Rover Discovery reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 91 complaints put the 2017 model at #2 of 23 Discovery years. It is one of the Discovery years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Discovery problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (18 complaints), visibility & wipers (14 complaints), engine (13 complaints).

Does the 2017 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Land Rover Discovery. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Land Rover Discovery years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Discovery years to avoid are 1996, 2017, 2003, 1995, 2019, 2018, 1998, 1997, 2000. The cleanest record among Discovery years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.