2016 Land rover Discovery sport problems
The Land Rover Discovery Sport (internal code L550) is a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by British automotive company Jaguar Land Rover since 2014, under their Land Rover marque, and since 2017 their best-selling model.
Introduced in late 2014, it replaces the Freelander in a revised Land Rover range of vehicles, with Discovery joining Range Rover as a sub-brand. Contrary to its predecessor, the slightly larger car is also available in a seven seat layout.
The pre-facelift Discovery Sport is based on the JLR D8/LR-MS platform, customised for off-road applications, and is powered by a range of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines. It is the first Discovery introduced with a unibody structure.
Land Rover described the facelifted Discovery Sport as being based on the JLR PTA platform, a rebrand of the D8. It is also used by the Jaguar E-Pace and L551 version of Range Rover Evoque.
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Common 2016 Land rover Discovery sport problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Land Rover Discovery Sport 2016, common problems with this car include:
- Interior Quality Problems:
There have been numerous complaints about squeaks, rattles, and other interior quality issues with the Discovery Sport. These issues, although seemingly minor, can be challenging to resolve and may impact the comfort and driving experience of the vehicle.
- Electrical Foibles:
Discovery Sport owners have reported various electrical problems. It is crucial to check that all electrics work properly and pay attention to any warning lights on the dashboard or unusual behavior from the infotainment system to avoid potential safety hazards and operational issues.
- Bodywork Damage:
Due to being used for light-to-medium off-road work, Discovery Sports are more likely to have bodywork damage. It is recommended to inspect the lower bodywork for scuffs, cracks, and signs of off-road damage to ensure the structural integrity of the vehicle.
- High CO2 Levels:
Some models built during a specific period could produce higher CO2 levels than normal. However, this issue can be resolved with a software update during routine servicing, minimizing environmental impact and ensuring compliance with emission standards.
- Insecure Locking Ring for Fuel Pump:
Certain examples built within a specific timeframe might have a loose locking ring for the fuel pump, potentially leading to fuel leaks. It is essential to have a technician inspect and tighten the ring to prevent fuel vapor escape or leaks, ensuring safety and preventing environmental hazards.
- Seatbelt Pretensioner Malfunction:
Vehicles manufactured within a particular period might have issues with the seatbelt pretensioner, a critical safety component. If affected, new pretensioners need to be fitted to ensure the proper operation of the vehicle's safety restraint system.
- Electrical Short Circuit:
Some Discovery Sport models manufactured during a specific period could experience chafing of the electrical wiring harness, leading to a short circuit. It is advisable to have the vehicle inspected by a technician to address this issue and prevent electrical malfunctions or safety hazards.
- Fuel Leaks:
There have been recalls related to fuel leaks in Discovery Sports. It is important to determine if the vehicle is affected and have it inspected by a dealer to address any potential fuel leak issues, ensuring safety and preventing environmental contamination.
These problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance, thorough inspections, and prompt repairs to ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of the Land Rover Discovery Sport 2016.
What is the most common problem with the Land Rover Discovery Sport?
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is known to suffer a problem with its stabiliser bar bushes, which can cause a creaking noise over rougher roads. The front brakes on the Discovery Sport are also known to cause a vibration, while the rear brakes can also generate a squeak.
How long will a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport last?
The estimated lifespan of a Land Rover Discovery Sport is 122,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.
Is a Land Rover Discovery Sport expensive to maintain?
Maintenance and repair costs for a Land Rover Discovery Sport will amount to $4,177 after 5 years. Expenses include scheduled maintenance, normal wear and tear items and expected repairs. These estimates exclude any free warranty work performed.
What are the safety features on a Land Rover Discovery Sport 2016?
The list of standard safety features on the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport includes antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, a driver knee airbag and side curtain airbags. A rearview camera and parking sensors are also standard, as are hill descent control and hill start assist.
2016 Land rover Discovery sport complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Land rover Discovery sport.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2016 Land rover Discovery sport recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2016 Land rover Discovery sport.
- Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
- Summary: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles manufactured May 30, 2016, to August 24, 2016, and 2016-2017 Range Rover Evoque vehicles manufactured June 7, 2016, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles have front lower control arm fasteners that may fail due to an assembly error, possibly resulting in separation of the steering knuckle.
- Consequence: If the fasteners were to fail causing the knuckle to separate, vehicle handling may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hardware that connects the front lower control arm to the knuckle, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is Q650/Q651.
- Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles manufactured September 17, 2014, to March 5, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the license plate illumination lamp may fall out. 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: Without license plate illumination, the vehicle may be difficult to identify at night.
- Remedy: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace both rear license plate lamp housings, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2016. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is P077.
Negative 2016 Land rover Discovery sport car reviews
Positive 2016 Land rover Discovery sport car reviews
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This is the nicest, best equipped vehicle I have ever owned. Motor was very strong with a slight turbo lag that just took some time adjusting to. It was very picky on the premium fuel and would set a light nearly every other tank for emissions, no adverse performance, just annoying. The adaptive lighting was phenomenal. We drove this 4x4 5500 miles on a trip, did a little off roading and had it up to 110 on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Averaged 24.7 mpg with 4 adults and 1 child in a car seat, plus our luggage. The high altitude mountain roads are where it outperformed every other vehicle on the road. The Navigation was worse than my 2010 TomTom and constantly rebooted. That needs to be addressed. We bought this vehicle used with 9k miles on it and saved a ton. I would definitely own another if the price was right. Longevity remains to be seen, but I personally will not own a turbo vehicle past 100k miles.
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I am thoroughly pleased with my new SUV. It drives exceptionally well, looks stunning, and boasts an overall high quality. Although there was an issue with turbo lag, I have learned to adjust my driving to avoid any unwanted turbo surges. However, I was disappointed with Land Rover's Incontrol Apps and Hotspot. The Incontrol Apps are often glitchy and I experience difficulty connecting to my iPhone 6 about 50% of the time. The JustDrive app, which is supposed to be the ultimate in hands-free technology, only rates a 3 out of 10. The Discovery 2016 has built-in Hotspot, In-Control Apps, and navigation that require a data plan with AT&T, costing less than $10 per month. For all of this to work, the SUV has a built-in cell phone with a SIM card. Unfortunately, the cell phone is only 3G and not 4G LTE. This means that my 4G LTE iPhone connects to my SUV, which only has 3G service. As a result, the 3G service is significantly slower than 4G LTE, which is a huge step backwards. Other automakers are putting hotspots in their cars with 4G, which is something I never would have guessed was not included in my SUV.
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Overall, you've done an excellent job on the road and off-road. However, the transmission shifts can be rough and unpredictable. I've found that driving in Sports mode tends to smooth out the transmission shifts and acceleration. On the bright side, the cargo space is great! Although, the electronics can be a bit quirky at times. For example, the side view mirrors don't always fold out automatically when they should, and I sometimes get a fault that the auto high beam sensor is blocked when it's not, rendering the auto high beam inoperable.
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I recently got a loaner car with only 700 miles on the odometer and have driven it for less than a month, covering under 1000 miles. So far, I am really enjoying the car. I opted for the SE model with the Climate package, Navigation, and 11 speaker upgrade, and was pleasantly surprised to get the 19-inch alloy wheels at no extra cost. There are many things to like about this car, including its excellent handling, great all-around visibility, and the best side mirrors I have ever had. The seats feel firm and comfortable, and the interior feels spacious and luxurious. I drive 16 miles each way to work, with 8 miles on the highway and 8 miles on local roads, and I am getting an impressive 30-34 MPG combined without A/C, 27-30 MPG with A/C, and 25-28 MPG with a family of four and A/C running. These numbers are much better than the 20-26 MPG listed. The engine is very smooth, except when accelerating suddenly. The radio and speakers are fantastic at higher volumes and with HD stations. There are a few things that I don't like, such as the rear hatch feeling a bit flimsy, the panel below the glass squeaking a bit, and the lack of a CD player. The radio is just okay at lower volumes, and the ride is a little truck-like. Overall, I would suggest getting the higher trim level HSE to get many of the fancy features, as the SE does not get front fog lights. In an update from February 2020, I have had the car for three and a half years and driven it for 50,000 miles, and it has been trouble-free. I needed new brakes at around 35,000 miles and tires at 48,000 miles, but it still drives like new with no squeaks or rattles. The service costs are a little higher than normal, with my dealer currently charging $650 for a 10,000-mile service, but other than that cost, I have no complaints. In another update from February 2022, the car now has about 70,000 miles and has been completely trouble-free. I replaced the halogen headlights with LED headlights for the same cost as halogen replacements, which improved visibility on rural roads. It runs like a champ!
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After months of debating between this car, the Mercedes GLC, and the BMW X3, I ultimately chose this car and I am overall happy with it. The car has a unique style that catches people's attention, and the seats in the back recline, making them comfortable for adults to sit in for longer than 20 minutes. The interior is not cluttered with unnecessary touchpads or mouses, so you actually have a place to set something down that isn't the passenger seat. Although I have only had the car for about two weeks, there are three issues that I have noticed. Firstly, there is no compass, which can be inconvenient for off-the-beaten-path driving. Secondly, the Heads-Up display is not bright enough to be seen on a sunny day, but you will definitely see the reflection/glare of the screen that is generating it. Lastly, the left-right arrow buttons on the steering wheel do not choose between the 18 preset radio stations, instead, they act like a radio tuner. This undermines the idea of convenience that goes with preprogramming your radio stations or putting buttons on the wheel to control the radio. If I am wrong on this, please someone tell me how to change it.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Land rover Discovery sport problems:
2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport HSE - Just bought, will i enjoy it or ...
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Other years of Land rover Discovery sport
Are you having problems with your 2016 Land rover Discovery sport?
Silas Wuckert 2025-10-21
The dealership's repeated attempts to repair the car were unsuccessful, despite keeping it for 4-5 months. It is concerning that they had over 60 loaner vehicles, which should have raised a red flag. The dealership's solution of repeatedly replacing the backup camera did not address the root cause of the problem, which was the entire electrical system shutting off. When I asked if they had tested the cameras they removed, they were unable to provide a satisfactory answer. The dealership had to wait for a technical adviser from headquarters to provide guidance, which is not reassuring. The dealership blamed us for the battery error signals, but this was not accurate as we were not driving short distances. After two weeks, they finally decided to change the battery. It is important to be aware of the Lemon Law if you are in California.
Hugh Gottlieb 2025-06-20
I am sorry to hear about your experience with your Land Rover. It sounds like you have had a frustrating time with the gas mileage and electrical system. I understand how important it is to have a reliable car, and it must be disappointing to have a year left on your lease. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us, we will make sure to take it into consideration. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Brant Leuschke 2025-06-12
Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with my Land Rover Discovery. I've taken it to the dealer twice now to address a shifting problem, but unfortunately, they couldn't find anything wrong. The problem is still there and they're blaming it on the software. As someone who has driven many different models from various manufacturers over the years, I don't think I can recommend owning a Land Rover Discovery.
Lew Dibbert 2025-05-12
I have experienced multiple issues with my car, including a coolant leak, failed water pump, and computer system failures. Despite taking it to the dealer several times, I was disappointed to find that not all the work was completed as promised, and the problems persisted. At 58,000 miles, one cylinder lost compression without warning, which was a frustrating experience. Although Jaguar Land Rover USA, LLC eventually replaced the engine after three months of back-and-forth, there were still issues with the engine after each repair. Unfortunately, Jaguar Land Rover refused to take any further action, leaving me without a car and without any rebates to help me purchase a new one. It was a disappointing experience, and I would caution others to stay away from these cars. Despite their enjoyable driving experience, Jaguar Land Rover's poor handling of the situation and lack of customer service ultimately led to an $8,000 loss for me.
Colton Fahey 2025-05-09
I have owned this car for some time now and have put about 16,000 miles on it. I must say, I fell in love with the way the car looks, its road presence and general cache. However, I have noticed that the actual gas mileage is not as good as I expected, about 15mpg mixed driving. I believe an NA V6 would get better mileage on a car of this size. On the bright side, the engine does have good torque and get up when the transmission is not getting in its own way so that you can merge or fight to the death on the 405 in intermittent traffic. The interior is very clean and no fuss, which I like, but it is a bit annoying. Since most things are digital, you have to pull your eyes off of the road to get anything done on the screen. I realize this is a trend going forward, but it is making people worse drivers, including myself in this confounded thing. Although the interior quality is not up to par for a car of this price, it still has its own charm. Its on the level of older Korean cars, no joke. However, I must admit that EVERYTHING squeaks, rattles or bangs. The center console creaks every time I accelerate, the rear bench rattles and squeaks on everything but the absolute smoothest road and the tailgate creaks over every speed bump or small rock. Despite these issues, I still believe that it is by far the best looking small SUV on the road. Overall, it has its flaws, but it still has its own unique appeal.