2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report transmission faults, including a gear selector stuck in Drive, gearbox fault messages, and sudden loss of drive power. Other frequent reports describe turbocharger or exhaust manifold failures, doors that do not latch or lock, and steering loss that is sometimes linked to sheared bolts. Where mileage is stated, these complaints span from low mileage to over 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Gear selector stuck or gearbox fault messages

   • 18 complaints (35%)
   • median 37,500 mi at 4.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Owners describe the gear selector or transmission failing to shift, sometimes stuck in Drive and unable to reach Park, Reverse, or Neutral, and in some cases the vehicle coasted. Other reports describe a gearbox fault message, a sudden loss of motive power, or the transmission moving into Park while driving on a highway. According to complaints, a gear shifter module or the transmission was replaced at the dealer, and a complaint says the transmission was replaced more than once. Some owners describe the transmission as jumpy during shifts since purchase. Stated mileage ranges from about 3,000 to 103,000 miles, and several complaints do not state mileage.

   What to check: Test the gear selector through every position on a test drive, and ask the dealer whether the gear shifter module or transmission has been replaced or has stored fault codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving down the road, suddenly the 'critical warning message' and 'brake' lights came on. The car lost power quickly, with the momentum the car ran few hundred feet to stop. Then, the word 'gearbox fault' and 'battery charge' appear. The engine still run, but I was completely stuck, could not rotate the gear. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10914990, filed 2016-10, 3,000 miles

   “Seat belt issue: seat belt to the 2nd row, right door side activating with alternating red (x) and green (check mark) not able to discern that my 10 year old son was in the car. On 12/16/19, the same error occurred with my 9 year old nephew. Once he exited the car, despite no seat belt being in the slot, the alarm kept beeping saying that it was and that it needed to be addressed. Transmission: the car has been jumpy in terms of transmission changes since we first bought the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11289292, filed 2019-12, 88,200 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Turbocharger or exhaust manifold failure

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the turbocharger or turbo-integrated exhaust manifold failing, with symptoms such as a check engine or emissions light, noticeably weak acceleration, engine noise, or a sudden loss of power. Some complaints describe a cracked or fractured manifold releasing exhaust or fumes into the cabin, and some report that the replacement cost was substantial. According to complaints, the dealer or an independent shop diagnosed the turbo or manifold and recommended replacement, and a service bulletin on brazed turbocharger cracks describes an extended warranty. Where mileage is stated, failures are described at about 47,000 to 116,000 miles, and some complaints do not list mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the turbocharger and exhaust manifold have been inspected or replaced, and ask the dealer whether any extended warranty bulletin for brazed turbocharger cracks applies to the VIN. Check for an exhaust smell inside the cabin during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The emissions light came on while driving in town. Upon diagnostic testing, it was the turbo charger that went out. Computer read out was turbo boost building up pressure . The mileage was at 47,000 miles only. I had to replace it and replacement was $4825 new or $3661 for remanufactured. This is something that has to be replaced or would further damage the engine. The printout on my receipt read cracked exhaust manifold (turbo), internal fault solenoid replaced turbo/charger/exhaust manifold. Replaced wastegate solenoid.”

   NHTSA complaint #11391054, filed 2021-02, 47,000 miles

   “I experienced three incidents attributable to a malfunction of the turbocharger integrated exhaust manifold. The first two occasions the vehicle suddenly and inexplicably lost power slowing to approximately 5 mph. Acceleration only made the engine rev up but did not increase power. No prior indications from the function of engine nor any warning indicators activated at the time the first two incidents occurred. I had only owned the vehicle for two to three months when the first incident occurred. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11490298, filed 2022-10
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Doors that do not latch or lock

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2024

   Owners describe a door latch that does not hold the door closed, or a lock that fails to engage, sometimes while the vehicle is moving or after keyless entry, with the door swinging open or staying unlocked. Some owners say the door opened while driving, including after a turn or at about 15 mph, and a complaint says the owner had to pull over and use the physical key to lock or unlock the door. According to complaints, the dealer could not find a solution on repeated visits, and a complaint says a recall was reported for the same problem but the vehicle was not included. Where mileage is stated, the problems are described at about 60,000 to 118,000 miles, and several complaints do not state mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test each door latch and lock from inside and outside, including with keyless entry, and ask the dealer whether the door latch bulletin about silicone contamination has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When using keyless entry, walking up to door and opening without unlocking, the door latch won't hold closed. Causing the door to swing freely. I've had to try to lock and unlock or start and turn off my truck. After 15-30 min, it will usually latch. But there's no concrete remedy. The first time it happened I didn't realize it. Taking a right hand turn and my door flew open. It's super dangerous! The first time it happened was june 6th. This has happened about 4 times in the past month. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11331908, filed 2020-07, 63,000 miles

   “the driver's side from door latch is not operating correctly. the driver's side front door opens when the car is in motion. this happened in a parking lot while trying to leave the lot. we may have been going about 15mph. the door latch is not working at all now. the door will not stay closed at all. there is a current recall for the same issue but Land Rover says that my vin number is not included in the recall. Maybe a larger recall needs to be issued.”

   NHTSA complaint #11592129, filed 2024-06
4. 4
   Steering

   Sudden steering loss at low speed

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 25,381 mi at 1.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the steering becoming unresponsive, sometimes at low speed while backing out or turning, or when leaving an auto start/stop idle, with the front wheels not following the steering wheel. Several complaints describe bolts that hold the electric power steering motor or the steering column to the rack sheared off, and a complaint describes the motor no longer attached to the rack. According to complaints, replacement of the rack or steering parts was recommended, and some vehicles could not be driven after steering was lost. Stated mileage ranges from about 10,000 to 66,000 miles, and several of these losses happened at low speed, such as backing out or turning into a parking lot.

   What to check: Ask whether the steering motor bolts and the steering rack have been inspected, and ask the dealer whether any steering warnings are stored in the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Twice now, I have come out of the auto start/stop mode after being idle. The engine seems to lag on engaging and both times my steering has been lost. Both times, my speed was not more than 5 MPH and it took a few seconds for the car's steering to return. Once I was turning at a light after being stopped and once it was at a drive thru. It has been to the dealer once and they said they fixed the problem, but it will be on it's way again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10899538, filed 2016-08, 10,763 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11725151, filed 2026-03
5. 5
   Engine

   Crankshaft pulley or timing part failure damages engine

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 7.5 yrs old
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe a crankshaft pulley or timing component coming apart or loosening, leaving the drive belt not turning, the engine inoperable, or the engine severely damaged. A complaint says pieces of a broken pulley struck nearby parts such as the radiator, water pump, and serpentine belt, adding to the damage. According to complaints, a check engine light appeared days before a timing chain failure, and a claim for a crankshaft pulley failure was reportedly denied because the part was treated as a maintenance item. Only a complaint about a crankshaft pulley failure gives mileage, at about 96,500 miles, and the others do not state mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the crankshaft pulley and timing components have been inspected or replaced, and check the service history for engine warning lights or repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The timing chain broke on an uphill and evidently ruined the entire engine. I was stuck in the middle of a 2 lane road with no shoulder on a hill. I had to direct traffic for 45 minutes to avoid any crashes or my car being rear ended. Repair will cost more than the car is currently worth. Seems to be a known issue. It was inspected by Land Rover Cincinnati. Check engine light came on 2.5 days prior to the incident - called Land Rover Service and I was instructed to tighten the gas cap and wait a few days.”

   NHTSA complaint #11551479, filed 2023-10

   “Crankshaft pulley and Crankshaft had a manufactured defect that caused the pulley to brake into pieces while standing at a stop intersection, multiple pieces of metal were projected towards the radiator, water pump, passenger wheel, serpentine belt, battery and other components causing considerable damage and left the vehicle inoperable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11665889, filed 2025-06

Buying note. A buyer considering this model year may want to test the gear selector through every position, check the door latches and locks from inside and outside, and ask for service records covering any turbocharger, steering, or crankshaft pulley repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.