Defect Summary: Repeated water intrusion (windshield, roof rails, rear door latch) leading to electrical damage. Electrical failures resulting in sudden loss of power, lighting, and infotainment. Critical safety system failures including: Sudden loss of steering assist and brake assist while in motion. Vehicle stalling with the engine running but no drivetrain response. Gear shifter malfunctions leaving the vehicle stuck in gear. Notable Incidents: July–August 2025 (61,000 mi): Multiple events of complete power loss while driving, including loss of steering and braking control on a public roadway. September 11, 2025 (post-repair): After dealer-replaced battery and gear-shift module, the vehicle failed catastrophically within 450 feet of leaving the service center, jolting violently, losing all electrical power, and leaving steering and brakes stiff. An Edison Police officer witnessed the event and assisted in traffic control. Safety Concern: These recurring failures present a clear and ongoing danger of crash, injury, or fatality. The pattern demonstrates a systemic design or manufacturing defect related to water ingress and electrical integrity.
Land Rover Discovery door locks problems
21 of the 548 owner complaints about the Land Rover Discovery describe doors won't lock, open or latch, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 55,000
By model year
- 20211
- 20201
- 20193
- 20183
- 20174
- 19981
- 19967
- 19941
Often reported together
Water leak 2Check engine light 2Stalling 1Power steering loss 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
The door latch on the rear right of the car failed while driving, Door wouldn't close, My 8 year old son sits on that side for school runs. This was replaced under the recall but it failed again. Also I've had 2 window regulators go in this vehicle apparently it's a common problem window would not go up or down.
The contact owns a 2018 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated while the vehicle was park outside during a heavy rainstorm water leaked from the front windshield into the cabin of the vehicle causing several electrical failures with the radio display and the electric door locks. The local dealer was notified of the failure and diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously inspected under the Manufacturer Extended Coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that both the front driver side seat belt pretensioner and door latch were defective, which caused the warning light to illuminate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
July 2023 Jaguar LandRover of Sarasota serviced LandRover Discovery 2018 and checked for defect described in campaign no. 23V393 recall no. N 798. I was told my Discovery did not have the defect. One week later I was driving 40mph with my 12 year old autistic son in the back passenger seat when the door flew open. Fortunately, my son did not fall out of the car and we were not hit by oncoming traffic. The car needed to be towed and over a week later the dealership advised they have no part to repair the car, no loaner to offer me and no explanation as to why my car was checked for the defect in July apparently finding nothing, only to be put in a very dangerous position a week later. As an add on issue, my front passenger window will not roll up. This happened to the window on my driver side last year and was told the window motor needed to be replaced. Now the window on the passenger side stopped working. Is it possible water leaking into the door is eroding the electrical window motor stopping it from working. Can the passenger door lock and the window motor issue be connected? On four separate occasions trim on my Discovery have fallen off in the carwash. I was charged for parts and labor even though it did not seem normal for parts to literally fall off my car from being washed. I would like to be compensated for parts I had to purchase as well as the window being repaired at no cost. At the very least I expected a loaner vehicle, was told there were zero loaners available and have gone 8 days without transportation and secondly I would like to know how it is possible for the car to be checked for recall defect and told the car was safe and defect free.
The contact owns a 2018 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and making a right turn, the front driver’s side door opened independently without warning. The contact attempted to close the door, but the door would not latch as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the Uni-latch keyless system needed to be disabled. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 62,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Land Rover. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Door Ajar" message was displayed. The contact stated that her daughter was seated in the rear seat when the rear driver's side door inadvertently opened while driving. The contact was able to close the rear driver's side door; however, the failure recurred, and the rear driver's side door failed to latch. The contact's husband secured the rear driver's door with a ratchet strap to prevent the door from opening. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear driver's side door latch was internally faulty, and the rear driver's side door latch was replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 23V393000 (Electrical System, Latches, Locks, and Linkages); however, the contact had not received the recall notification. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Left passenger door lock failed while in operation. Left door opened while vehicle in motion during turn w/ child in right side passenger seat. Very serious safe risk created. Left door still not locking. Independent service center confirmed door lock malfunctioned and failed mechanically. No warning lamps prior to malfunction.
Back rear door latch gave out. Opened back door closed it and started driving. No bells and or warnings letting me know it wasn’t closed. Came to stop and door flew open without warning. At this point car told ne door was open. Me thinking I maybe didn’t close all the way re closed it and started driving. At 35mph around a corner and the door flew fully open again then alarms started going off. No repair invoice as vehicle is still being repaired.
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 520844) is attached as an uploaded file. This RO indicates the third repair by Land Rover dealers that have serviced this vehicle (Lynnwood, WA; Flatirons, CO and Boise, ID) regarding the Ground Stud Update, and now provides the documentation of another ground fault in the Locking Actuator (door locks are randomly actuating w/driving).
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Land Rover Discovery door locks
Which Land Rover Discovery years have doors won't lock, open or latch problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (7 complaints), 2017 (4 complaints) and 2018 (3 complaints).
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