Land Rover Discovery won't start problems

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Electrical · CA

2021 Land Rover Discovery 48V mild hybrid (MHEV). Recurring 12V system failures: repeated depleted/dead 12V batteries and no-start events. The 12V battery has failed and been replaced three times during my ownership (two documented at a franchised Land Rover dealer and an independent shop), plus a prior replacement under the previous owner per the vehicle history report. Symptoms: the vehicle will not start without a jump, repeated low-battery and SOS/telematics warnings, blank infotainment display, and full battery depletion after the vehicle sits unused for as little as 3 days, even with a battery maintainer in use. Dealer cloud diagnosis confirmed two contributing faults. First, elevated parasitic/quiescent current draw from control modules not entering proper sleep state, measured at 1.6A versus a normal value near 0.01A. Second, inadequate 12V charging. The dealer replaced the 12V and telematics backup batteries and applied software updates to multiple modules (including TCU and BCM), yet the failures recurred. This VIN has an open safety recall on MHEVs (the federal safety agency 26V‑248, manufacturer D126) describing a DCDC converter internal fault that causes loss of 12V system charging and a "Stop Safely, Electrical Fault Detected" warning, with potential loss of motive power, coasting to a stop, and loss of exterior lighting. The remedy is not yet available. Safety risk: loss of 12V charging and battery depletion can cause stalling, loss of motive power in traffic, no-start and stranding, and loss of lighting, all of which increase crash risk. On one occasion the vehicle barely started after sitting at an airport lot, nearly leaving my family stranded. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by both a franchised dealer and an independent service center. The vehicle and the failed batteries are available for inspection on request. Warning messages first appeared before the current failure and have recurred across multiple battery replacements.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Body, Brakes · GA

This vehicle has an active water intrusion from the headliner above the windshield due to windshield bonding and body seal failure. Water is dripping down and entering the dashboard area and shorting electrical control modules behind the media/glove box and media console. Each time the media/glove box is opened, the HVAC system shorts and forces the defrost system to activate involuntarily. The vehicle also exhibits Park Brake Fault warnings, delayed and intermittent no-start conditions, brake fluid loss, and electrical instability. This is an active electrical short inside federally regulated safety systems, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. The defect is progressive and continues to worsen

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 Feb 12, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WA

DRiving down the highway at night in the rain and car died completely... all electronics shut off, car shut off and had no power to steering or breaks or anything. WOuld not start once it was pulled over and had to be towed to dealer. At the dealership i was told the leaking windshield had eroded the wiring throughout. they could not start or power the car at all. they removed the complete interior and have had the car for 45 days with no estimate of when it is drivable again.

Filed Jun 16, 2024 · Engine · OH

On May 18, 2024 at approximately 4pm, my husband turned on my 2019 Land Rover Discovery from a cold start after sitting parked for about 20 minutes. We heard a slight rattle upon start-up, so he turned the car ignition off. He restarted the car after about a minute and we did not hear the rattle. We began driving the car and after about 2-3 miles, the car started shuddering and began slowing down but did not completely stall. My husband turned off the car again and we waited for a couple of minutes and he restarted the car. It drove fine for about a mile and began shuddering/hesitating again as we were driving. Then the car made a loud warning sound, a warning light flickered on the dash and the engine completely turned off as we were driving. We were in the middle of traffic and had we been on the freeway, there would have been catastrophic consequences as the engine completely stopped. We thankfully were able to coast to a side-street on our immediate right and stopped. The engine would not turn over and my husband was unable to restart the car. I immediately made an appointment with my local Land Rover dealership for 3 days later (next available) and had the truck towed there. After inspection, they told me they believed the main bearing in the engine failed due to an oil pump failure and that the engine would need to be replaced. My truck is 5 years old and has less than 100,000 miles (only about 80K). No previous warning lights! A car this expensive and with so few miles with regular maintenance service being performed by either Land Rover or AAA, shouldn’t need a new engine. This is after I’d had the camshaft adjuster/timing chain replaced in this truck by the same dealership only 3 months prior! After speaking to the service person, he informed me that 2 other Land Rovers were sitting in the dealership waiting for the SAME engine and waiting for 4-5 months to be delivered from the manufacturer with NO ETA! Known, dangerous problem! Please help resolve!

Filed May 31, 2022 · Electrical · TX

The car will go dead. Had battery replaced at dealer on 5-28-22. 2 days later the car was dead and will not start. After messing with the negative cable where it’s connected to the chassis was able to start the car. After the car was running for about a minute the negative cable was very hot to the touch. This has been an ongoing problem with this car. After see other recalls for this battery cable issue am afraid the car could die while driving it. Our VIN is not associated with any recall. We feel the car is unsafe to drive and can also leave was stranded.

Filed Jan 20, 2022 · Engine · GA

[XXX]-VIN 2017- Discovery Failed Water Pump Detective -Requesting a recall Dear Safety Dept, The vehicle stop in the middle of the road and did not start back up. The vehicle was code for low coolant and issue stating a water pump and manifold crack in a plastic part connect to the engine. I only had the this vehicle for 11 months since the light came on back in November. I'm being told I need to pay 2,300-3,000 to repair this vehicle. They shared I'm out of warranty back at 50, 000 in Miles when I bought the vehicle. I need this repair fixed asap and this is safety problem traveling on a Hwy or street and systems failed. Please call me at [XXX]. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed May 4, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 14,802 miles · GA

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 drive. When accelerating out of the parking lot at about 40 MPH the vehicle shut off. Starting back instantly, but displayed gearbox failure message. Made it home vehicle shut off in the drive way and wouldn't start back, the tachometer was stuck on 1k RPM, but no power to the vehicle. Waited two hours and the vehicle started back without any issue. Towed to land rover as it is a hazard to drive. 2nd attempt at land rover for electrical issue fix. Researching online many owners have had this problem with little to no resolution from dealership/land rover

Filed Dec 23, 2020 · Electrical · 16,625 miles · MD

The key fob is consistently has issues with starting the vehicle. Key will not unlock doors when touching the handle. Vehicle will not start when parked. This is unsafe because I have been stranded in public places in the cold and the vehicle would not start. The dealership was actually no assistance. Changing batters did not work. Reprogramming keys did not work. They promised to order a new key fob, and then they said it was backordered. I felt like this is a lie. They have strung me along with no resolution. I have provided four service records to show the amount of times the vehicle was taken into the dealership about the vehicle not starting from key fob not being recognized.

Filed May 25, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 37,108 miles · CT

I was driving on main road at the speed limit (45 MPH). I had slowed down as I observed a car pulling out ahead of me onto the road. As I gave my vehicle gas in order to get back up to speed, I felt a pause in the engine and then the car completely lost power- the engine stopped, the red battery icon appeared on the dash, and message appeared on the screen with the heading "special program suspended" or something to that effect-- I had no time to read that message as I had to steer my car as far to the right as I was able to. I tried to restart the vehicle, it would not start and the message disappeared-- I had no chance to read it as I was on a busy and heavy traveled road and had to ensure I was safely pulled over. Unknown at this time as to what caused this malfunction. This created an unsafe condition as the car lost power with no forewarning. I am lucky that it did not happen on the highway on which I travel most of the time. I contacted land rover roadside assistance and the car was put on a flatbed and brought to the dealer.