VehicleVerdict

2021 Land Rover Discovery problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

19

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Discovery years?

Discovery NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 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, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Land Rover Discovery problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System842%
Other421%
Transmission421%
Engine15%
Fuel System15%
Steering15%

Does the 2021 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

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

26V389000AirbagsJune 12, 2026 · 250,857 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.

26V248000Electrical SystemApril 17, 2026 · 170,169 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.

Consequence

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“This is an update to Complaint Number 11436854, submitted on 10/14/2021, 5:53:21 PM Additional service has been performed on the vehicle to identify and correct random electrical faults interrupting the safe operations of this vehicle. Service record generated by Land Rover Boise, ID (RO Number…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 18, 2021

“Received an error message stating reduced traction only 2 wheel drive and to drive with caution. Took it to the dealer to discover the software was not programmed for the 4wd modules”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 21, 2021

“After 2000 miles of driving, I received a warning that I had reduced traction and needed to drive with caution. When I took vehicle to dealer they determined the “initial configuration was not complete”. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 17, 2021

“After 2000 miles of driving, I received a warning that I had reduced traction and needed to drive with caution. When I took vehicle to dealer they determined the “initial configuration was not complete”. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 17, 2021

“ I am filing a safety complaint regarding a sudden and complete loss of power event while driving my 2021 Land Rover Discovery. The vehicle experienced a DC-DC converter failure with no warning, resulting in a sudden shutdown. The engine lost power, critical systems went offline, and I was unable…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2025

2021 Land Rover Discovery — common questions

Is the 2021 Land Rover Discovery reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2021 Discovery problems?

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

Does the 2021 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 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.