The Lemon IndexAll carsLand RoverDiscovery2021
202020225th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 4,398 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
4 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Lincoln Aviator 762021 Tesla Model X 1242021 Audi Q3 27
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V599000 (electrical), 26V458000 (back over prevention) and 26V389000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Land Rover sent dealers 462 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Customer states harsh shift, transmission warning lamp”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Land Rover's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 4 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
Received an error message stating reduced traction only 2 wheel drive and to drive with caution. Took it to the dealer to discover the software was not programmed for the 4wd modules
2021 Land Rover Discovery owner · NHTSA complaint 11436146
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 18.5M views · 2017–2025 Land Rover Discovery
- Brakes & ABS113K views
2017 Land Rover Discovery Electronic parking brake maintenance mode.The Offroading Mechanic · 82K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical29K views
How To Replace Land Rover Discovery Key Fob Battery 2015 - 2018 Change Discovery Remote BatteriesPYR Automotive · 29K views - Cooling system18K views
2017–2021 Land Rover Discovery Low Coolant Light Fix — Quick, No-Tools Check!Green Castle Garage · 18K views
Before you buy, watch
Should You Buy a Land Rover DISCOVERY 5? (Test Drive & Review 2019 3.0SDV6)High Peak Autos · 513K views
Land Rover Discovery 5 Buyer’s Guide (2017-2025) Common faults and reliability (LR Disco 5)The Miles Driven · 98K views
Should you buy a 3.0 SDV6 Land Rover Discovery 5? (2017 HSE Model, Test Drive & Review)James of Condor · 28K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Problems Land Rover told dealers about
Land Rover sent dealers 462 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Customer states harsh shift, transmission warning lamp
- Loss of steering assistance
- Transmission fluid leaks
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Electrical · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The DC-DC converter may malfunction due to an electrical overload that can occur during high power demand.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
Water may not be able to drain away from the rearview camera due to insufficient drain holes, which may result in damage to the rearview camera.
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Show all 6 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
Insufficient electrical load balancing during times of high demand can lead to a current overload condition and malfunction of the DCDC converter.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2021
The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
A loose contact between the battery ground stud and the chassis may result in various electrical faults, possibly causing a loss of electrical power or the vehicle to shut down while driving.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Land Rover Discovery recall, all years · All Land Rover recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land Rover Discovery SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Every Land Rover Discovery year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (1999–2009, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Land Rover Discovery years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
We can't score it: only 4,398 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Land Rover Discovery problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (75%), electrical (50%) and steering (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Land Rover Discovery have?
6 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2021 Land Rover Discovery have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 75% of its owner complaints.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works