2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport, most often about engine. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
46
Recalls
2
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
61,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 12 of 46 complaints (26%).
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (9) and body & structure (6) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 61,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
  • The 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport has 2 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 10 Land Rover Discovery Sport model years we track.

2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport problems by category

  • Engine
    12 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    9 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    6 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Steering
    4 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine11
Power train9
Unknown or other6
Structure:body6
Electrical system5
Service brakes5
Steering4
Wheels2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k210k–30k330k–60k760k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport complaints that list mileage.

2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport recalls (2)

  • Recall 16V889000Dec 9, 2016220 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V274000May 6, 201614,731 vehicles
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    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."

    Risk: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…

Recent 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 1, 2026ILEngine
    2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport, turbocharger failed at approximately 98,000 miles. Vehicle required turbocharger replacement costing over $5,000. VIN is excluded from the existing turbocharger class-action settlement because the vehicle is identified as having a BorgWarner single-scroll turbocharger. I believe the turbocharger failure may represent a premature manufacturing/design defect similar to the turbocharger failures alleged in the existing Flynn-Murphy litigation.
    NHTSA complaint #11761439 · source
  2. Filed Aug 10, 202668,000 miNYTowedSteeringSuspension
    The contact owns a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact pulled over to the shoulder lane to avoid a crash. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a cracked chassis component that was used to secure the lower control arm for the front…
    NHTSA complaint #11755997 · source
  3. Filed Jul 7, 2026INTransmission & Drivetrain
    Vehicle engine shut down and completely lost power. Technician inspected and found intake camshaft actuator came loose from camshaft. On this vehicle it simply uses tension from the bolt torquing. There is no keyway to prevent this. Vehicle engine is destroyed. Very unsafe design.
    NHTSA complaint #11748857 · source
  4. Filed May 26, 2026KSCrashTowedBrakes
    The braking system failed, specifically a brake line rupture/failure that resulted in a complete loss of braking function. The vehicle is currently located at AAA or IAA facility, because it was totaled after an accident. The loss of braking function created an immediate and severe safety hazard. My wife was unable to stop the vehicle, which resulted in a collision with another vehicle. This placed my wife, the occupants of the other vehicle, including a child seated on the…
    NHTSA complaint #11740272 · source
  5. Filed Mar 18, 2026MESteering
    My vehicle just turned 10 years old. It has a little more than 66,000 miles on it and very well maintained. It was operating fine with no issues up until the day I went to get into it last Friday. I started it up without issue, put it into drive and found that could not steer it. I actually had to have it put on a car carrier and taken to a foreign auto mechanic, who told me that I needed a completely new rack and pinion, my vehicle is not drivable. This should have been…
    NHTSA complaint #11725151 · source
  6. Filed Feb 8, 2026MAEngine
    My 2016 Jaguar Land Rover Discovery Sport is displaying a CHECK ENGINE light. After having it seen by mechanics I'm told the Turbo-Manifold is faulty-CRACKED-and must be replaced, not safe to drive. It demonstrates by having noxious fumes enter the cabin, causing ill effects-not operable subject to dire illness. Should be part of RECALL. Please advise. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11716592 · source
  7. Filed Jan 10, 2026MASteering
    Backing out of a driveway. Stopping and put the car in drive. Started to drive. Turned the steering wheel and heard a metal crunch. Steering failed because the bolts that hold electric motor attached to the steering mechanism sheered. Broke off from the mount. A very dangerous situation. Could have hit other cars as there was no control.
    NHTSA complaint #11710123 · source
  8. Filed Sep 30, 2025AZElectrical System
    I own a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport (VIN [XXX] ). The vehicle was sold with InControl Remote features (remote lock/unlock, vehicle status, emergency SOS). These no longer function because the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) relies on the obsolete 2G/3G T-Mobile network. Since U.S. carriers shut down 2G/3G, the TCU cannot connect, leaving me without remote access or emergency SOS. Jaguar Land Rover acknowledges this but refuses to provide a 4G retrofit, unlike other…
    NHTSA complaint #11690686 · source

Compare the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport with another vehicle →

Other 2016 Land Rover models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology