VehicleVerdict

2018 Land Rover Discovery problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 51 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Discovery year — the 2018 model ranks #6 of 23 Discovery years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (8), body & structure (8), and other (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

51

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Discovery years?

Discovery NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Land Rover Discovery problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission816%
Body & Structure816%
Other816%
Visibility & Wipers612%
Electrical System612%
Engine612%
Speed Control36%
Fuel System24%
Latches & Locks12%
Steering12%
Driver Assistance12%
Brakes12%

Does the 2018 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

4 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.

21V117000LightingFebruary 25, 2021 · 26,805 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The Auto High Beam (AHB) system does not indicate through the instrument cluster when the high beams are illuminated automatically. 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."

Consequence

The driver may be unaware that the high beams are illuminated, reducing visibility for oncoming traffic, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N556.

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.

18V625000Driver AssistanceSeptember 13, 2018 · 86 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2018 Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system may be disabled without warning the driver that the system is not functional.

Consequence

If the AEB does not intervene when needed, without warning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began October 17, 2018. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837, Option 9. Land Rover's number for this recall is N227.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“leaking water into the interior through headliner. researched online and multiple land rover discovery owners are having the same issues. Extremely dangerous while driving. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 1, 2023

“VEHICLE ROLLED BACK WHEN IN THE PARK POSITION. VEHICLE HAD NO OCCUPANTS. VEHICLE PARKED ON AN INCLINE. ROLL BACK OCCURRED SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION AND MINUTES AFTER I EXITED THE VEHICLE. EXTREMELY WORRISOME. 2018 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY*DT*JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 22, 2021 · crash

“VEHICLE ROLLED BACK WHEN IN THE PARK POSITION. VEHICLE HAD NO OCCUPANTS. VEHICLE PARKED ON AN INCLINE. ROLL BACK OCCURRED SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION AND MINUTES AFTER I EXITED THE VEHICLE. EXTREMELY WORRISOME. 2018 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY*DT*JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 22, 2021 · crash

“THERE IS A DANGEROUS THROTTLE LAG WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A ROLLING STOP. MANY USERS HAVE NEARLY HAD ACCIDENTS LIKE ME. YOU PRESS THROTTLE AND IT DOES NOTHING FOR LIKE 2 SECONDS THEN SUDDENLY ENGINE PICKS UP... ITS A GASOLINE V6 ENGINE SO ITS NOT TURBO LAG.... AND WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY STOPPED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 6, 2019

“THERE IS A DANGEROUS THROTTLE LAG WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A ROLLING STOP. MANY USERS HAVE NEARLY HAD ACCIDENTS LIKE ME. YOU PRESS THROTTLE AND IT DOES NOTHING FOR LIKE 2 SECONDS THEN SUDDENLY ENGINE PICKS UP... ITS A GASOLINE V6 ENGINE SO ITS NOT TURBO LAG.... AND WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY STOPPED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 6, 2019

2018 Land Rover Discovery — common questions

Is the 2018 Land Rover Discovery reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 51 complaints put the 2018 model at #6 of 23 Discovery years. It is one of the Discovery years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Discovery problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (8 complaints), body & structure (8 complaints), other (8 complaints).

Does the 2018 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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.