Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 3 NHTSA variants

2016 Land Rover Discovery SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 52 owner complaints for the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport. Most complaints involve engine (14) and power train (13). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Dec 2016
Owner complaints
52
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Dec 9, 2016NHTSA 16V889000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported May 6, 2016NHTSA 16V274000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

52 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2016 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine14
  2. Power train13
  3. Service brakes7
  4. Steering6
  5. Structure6
  6. Electrical system5
  7. Suspension2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Wheels2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Discovery Sport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2015140
201652
201795
201822
201961
202014
20214
20224
20234
20240
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

14 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2026EngineODI 11761439

Power train

13 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2026Power trainODI 11748857

Service brakes

7 reports1 crash
“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 side of impact, and others on the road at significant risk of serious injury or fatality. The issue has been diagnosed by the Kansas City Land Rover Dealership as a faulty brake line rupture without warning. However, there are photo of the ruptured brake line, located where the aluminum line joins with the rubber line. A full independent inspection was completed. The vehicle has been involved in a police-reported accident, and insurance has been notified. The vehicle has also been transferred to a AAA or IAA facility, but is deemed totaled by my insurance. There was a visual inspection by the dealership in Kansas City, where they informed me that they found a break or rupture in the front…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2026Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11740272
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S9)
Drive
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Discovery Sport
Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
202622$3,500401
  • Discovery Sport
    Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 26 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 10713Vehicle 10714
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Discovery Sport questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport problems?

Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (14), power train (13), service brakes (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026