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Land Rover Discovery loss of power problems

16 of the 548 owner complaints about the Land Rover Discovery describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2017 model year.

owner complaints
16
worst model year
2017
typical mileage
85,101
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2024
    1
  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    3
  • 2020
    1
  • 2019
    2
  • 2017
    4
  • 2002
    1
  • 1997
    1
  • 1996
    2

Often reported together

Power steering loss 4Stalling 3Won't start 2Check engine light 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P0306 1P0305 1P0304 1P0300 1P0019 1P0018 1

What owners say

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MD

My vehicle started losing power and I attempted to accelerate but the SUV stopped moving. My girlfriend immediately put on the hazard ⚠️ lights because a tractor trailer truck was coming up from behind us. I was able to coast over to the shoulder.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Red warning in dash along with “stop safely, electrical fault detected.” Car drove normally for a mile before wipers came on and then multiple warnings for “collision, suspension, stability, height, tire, braking fault, ect. detected” came on. Car lost all power, steering wheel locked, unable to park or turn off vehicle with push button. Car rolled backwards if brake released. Hazards only came on at rear. Car towed to dealer; stated battery was “completely drained.” Dealer ended up replacing DC-DC converter and battery. 2 and 4 months prior (5/26 and 7/26), random electrical issues with radio, screen blanking out , volume unable to be changed, as well as various cameras and alerts for “collisions” would come on. Dealer looked over car and could not find anything wrong at that time.

Filed May 18, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · MA

I was driving home from work late at night in December 2025. A Signal came on that said pull to safety or something like that and then I lost power steering and brake control and my entire dash in my vehicle went pitch black. I was in the middle lane on route 290 and I was very lucky not to hit any other vehicles, but it was incredibly scary because I had no control of my vehicle and there were many cars and trucks on the road around me. I coasted off slowly to the side and I had to sit in 15° temperatures for an hour while I waited for AAA to come and tow my vehicle. They towed it to my home and were not able to get it off the ramp so they had to tow it to the dealership because the battery had died. The vehicle for a couple weeks before was slow to start, which I did not realize at the time was a sign that the battery was being drained. It was brought to the dealer and discovered that the DC DC converter and the BECM was the issue. My vehicle is open for inspection if you need it. The converter and BECM have been replaced after fighting with the dealer and with Landrover. Landrover is aware of the situation because they had to work with the dealer on their systems.Unfortunately, I am out almost $1000 because they made me pay for the replacement of the battery ( and the towing ) . Honestly I am having PTSD every time I drive past the area where I almost crashed. Landrover did not even want to accept responsibility, but the dealer did as we have purchased two vehicles from them that we also maintain meticulously.

Filed May 5, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 116,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2019 Land Rover Discovery. The contact stated that when attempting to back out of a parking space, the shifter was moved to reverse; however, the shifter failed to release from reverse. The vehicle was shut off, then restarted to reset the transmission, and at which time the shifter was able to be moved. The next day, while driving at highway speeds of approximately 55 MPH, entering on an on-ramp, the vehicle began to lose power and suddenly decelerate, then the vehicle shifted to neutral. The contact coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced and there were failures with the gearbox and other computer systems. The vehicle was repaired. The next morning, the shifter failure and start failure occurred again. The next day, the instrument panel began to illuminate the messages, "Proceed With Caution" and "Gearbox Fault Detected." The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) would black out, restart, and black out again. The failure would occur while idle, at which time they would have to place the vehicle in park, shut off, then restart it. The vehicle returned to their home and parked. The contact completed some research and found their experienced failure related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V248000 (Electrical System); however, their VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the issue. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OR

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 to shift the vehicle into neutral. The vehicle became immobilized in active traffic, creating a dangerous situation. This incident occurred without warning and left me with no ability to safely move the vehicle out of traffic or rely on normal emergency functions. This presents a serious safety hazard to both the driver and others on the road. The vehicle has been at the dealership since mid-January 2026. The dealer has stated that the DC-DC failure caused additional component failures. However, no root cause has been identified beyond “internal failure,” and I have not been provided confirmation that the system has been properly tested or that the issue will not recur. I am concerned that this failure can cause cascading electrical issues, including loss of the 12V system, impacting multiple critical vehicle functions at once. The lack of a clear diagnosis and verified repair raises concerns about reliability and safety. Given the sudden loss of power, inability to move the vehicle, and absence of a confirmed root cause or validated repair, I am formally requesting that the federal safety agency open a defect investigation into the MHEV/DC-DC system. This failure creates a significant safety risk, including vehicles becoming immobilized in active traffic without warning. The risk of recurrence without a defined cause is especially concerning and may indicate a broader issue.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Electrical · OR

While driving my 2021 Land Rover Discovery (MHEV) in active traffic, the vehicle suddenly displayed an “Electrical system fault – Stop safely” warning. Immediately after the warning, the vehicle lost power and shut down, leaving me stalled in traffic with no ability to safely move the vehicle out of the roadway. There was no prior warning, no gradual degradation, and no driver-caused condition. The shutdown appeared to be related to the 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system, possibly involving the DC-DC converter or battery management system, which disabled critical vehicle functions. This failure created an immediate safety hazard. I was at risk of being rear-ended and had limited ability to safely exit traffic. The vehicle became effectively inoperable without warning, which is unacceptable in real-world driving conditions. What is especially concerning is that: •The warning instructed me to “stop safely,” yet the vehicle did not allow time or power to do so •There were no visible issues beforehand •The issue appears consistent with known Land Rover MHEV electrical failures •Software updates were present, but did not prevent the failure A sudden electrical shutdown in traffic poses a serious safety risk to drivers, passengers, and others on the road. This issue should be investigated for potential defect, recall, or mandatory repair, as it compromises safe vehicle operation.

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

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.

Filed Aug 8, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · FL

There is a safety recall for the 2019-2020 Land Rover Discovery models. 414-01 SAFETY RECALL: Startup Battery Ground Stud - Insufficient Ground Contact Land Rover Tech bulletin dated 09 DEC 2020 On July 25 my 2017 Land Rover discovery lost power, instrumentation went haywire, and steering limp as I was making a turn onto US-90. On August 5 it would not start. Eventually jump started it, as the battery did not seem to register to the vehicle. On August 6 it again lost power, drive train went limp, all warnings lit up, and steering died as I was getting onto I-95 On August 7 JLR of Jacksonville informed me they found arching burn marks on the battery ground stud. They knew this as a common issue from the previous Tech Bulletin. The 2017&2018 have the same design as the 2019&2020, why are the 2017&2018 not included in the recall?

Filed May 29, 2025 · Engine · AZ

I am filing this complaint regarding a catastrophic engine failure on my 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury with the 3.0L V6 supercharged engine. The failure was caused by a broken timing chain, which resulted in severe internal engine damage. This component failure has been confirmed by an independent Land Rover specialist, and the damaged parts — including the broken chain — are available for inspection upon request. The incident put our safety at risk, as the vehicle experienced sudden loss of engine power while in operation. A complete engine stall, especially in traffic or at highway speeds, could easily lead to loss of power steering and braking assistance, significantly increasing the chance of an accident. Prior to the failure, we noticed several warning signs, including an illuminated check engine light, rough idling, and multiple diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), such as P0018, P0019, P0300, P0304, P0305, and P0306. These symptoms began appearing a few weeks before the engine failed completely, but escalated quickly. To our knowledge, there is no recall or technical service bulletin (TSB) addressing this known issue on this model and engine configuration. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Land Rover, the police, or any insurance agency, but the independent mechanic confirmed that the failure was internal and directly related to the timing chain system. We are submitting this report in the interest of public safety, as this type of failure on a vehicle with regular maintenance and 140,000 miles should not occur without warning. We believe this may indicate a broader reliability issue with the timing system in these engines and urge the federal safety agency to investigate.

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Electrical · OR

MHEV vehicle is offline; car completely shut down, resulting in loss of power on the road.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: filter/screenReported June 17, 2024 · 2,013 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Defender, 2024 Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The oil filter housing can crack and leak oil into the engine compartment.
Risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the filter housing, oil filter, and o-rings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1‑800‑637‑6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N908.

Recall number 24V450000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubricationReported February 2, 2023 · 6,724 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles. The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.
Risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1‑800‑637‑6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.

Recall number 23V044000 · Recall details

EngineReported January 17, 2019 · 2,587 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Discovery vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with V6 or V8 engines whose crankshaft pulley retaining bolt may fracture possibly resulting in engine failure.
Risk
Engine failure can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy
Land Rover has notified owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft pulley center retaining bolt, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2019. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1‑800‑637‑6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N276.

Recall number 19V040000 · Recall details

Questions about the Land Rover Discovery loss of power

Which Land Rover Discovery years have sudden loss of power problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2017 (4 complaints), 2021 (3 complaints) and 1996 (2 complaints).

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