VehicleVerdict

2020 Land Rover Discovery problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2020 Land Rover Discovery sits mid-pack among Discovery years: 31 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 24, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (26% of the total).

31

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Discovery years?

Discovery NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Land Rover Discovery problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System826%
Other413%
Engine413%
Body & Structure310%
Transmission310%
Driver Assistance310%
Visibility & Wipers26%
Lighting13%
Brakes13%
Airbags13%
Seat Belts13%

Does the 2020 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

6 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.

21V668000Seat BeltsAugust 26, 2021 · 32,687 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N630.

21V457000Electrical SystemJune 17, 2021 · 1,383 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Discovery vehicles. A loose contact between the battery ground stud and the chassis may result in various electrical faults, possibly causing a loss of electrical power or the vehicle to shut down while driving.

Consequence

A vehicle that shuts down or loses exterior lighting while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ground stud, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 10, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N607.

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.

20V694000Electrical SystemNovember 10, 2020 · 11,084 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Discovery vehicles. A loose contact between the battery ground stud and the chassis may result in various electrical faults, possibly causing a loss of electrical power or the vehicle to shut down while driving.

Consequence

If the vehicle shuts down or loses exterior lighting while driving there could be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ground stud, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-369-1000. Land Rover's number for this recall is N400.

20V053000SeatsJanuary 30, 2020 · 34 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020 Discovery vehicles. The second row seat frame assembly may be missing fasteners, resulting in a seat frame with insufficient strength.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, the seats may not properly secure the occupants, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the second row seat frame, tightening the bolts properly, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2020. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N422.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Front parking aid sensors do not alert me to objects in front of me when parking forward. I have to first backup two feet to get it to work, then it picks it up once I put in forward motion again. The dealer stated that they have no recalls for this problem even though my vehicle is in warranty.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 9, 2024

“The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the navigation system screen went blank.  The vehicle randomly failed to start. The Land Rover logo was on the screen. While driving, the battery warning light was flashing. All the warning…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 8, 2023

“Driving with my children, right rear door all of a sudden opened without warning. Doors were all locked. Pulled over, closed the door but latch was not catching with door. It's as if nothing was holding the door in place. I had to have my 14 year old daughter hold the car door while we canceled our…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 20, 2024

“HAD RECALL COMPLETED ONE MONTH AGO TO CORRECT GROUND WIRE LOCATION. TWO DAYS AGO THE AUTO START/ STOP ACTIVATING WHILE IN A DRIVE THROUGH, THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHERE ALL SAFETY FEATURES WERE DISABLED. GEAR SHIFTER BLINKING IN "D". HAD TO PUT TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THEN WAS ABLE TO PUT BACK IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 2, 2021

“Water dripping into the cabin from the top of the windshield. Water in electrical system is turning lights and other functions on and off causing dangerous driving conditions and draining the battery while parked immobilizing the vehicle ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 25, 2025

2020 Land Rover Discovery — common questions

Is the 2020 Land Rover Discovery reliable?

It is close to typical for the Discovery: 31 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2020 Discovery problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (8 complaints), other (4 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2020 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 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.