Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2018 Land Rover DiscoveryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 37 owner complaints for the 2018 Land Rover Discovery. Most complaints involve electrical system (8) and power train (8). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2023
Owner complaints
37
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The UniLatch Keyless Vehicle (KV) entry function may fail to properly latch the rear passenger doors, which can result in the doors opening while driving. In addition, the instrument cluster open-door warning light may fail to alert the driver of this condition.

Electrical systemReported Jun 1, 2023NHTSA 23V393000

Exterior lighting: software

Free remedy

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The Auto High Beam (AHB) system does not indicate through the instrument cluster when the high beams are illuminated automatically. 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 Feb 25, 2021NHTSA 21V117000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Discovery vehicles equipped with low line headlight assemblies. When towing a trailer with the trailer lights connected to the trailer socket and the vehicle's Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on, the trailer lights may not function.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 12, 2020NHTSA 20V143000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

37 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2018 – Aug 2026
  1. Electrical system8
  2. Power train8
  3. Structure7
  4. Engine6
  5. Visibility/wiper4
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Visibility2
  9. Suspension1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199675
199737
199833
199953
201837
201939
202020
202112
202211
20237
20248
20250
20261
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

8 reports
“Shortly after I purchased this used 2018 Land Rover Discovery with approximately 30,700 miles, the vehicle began intermittently lurching, surging and shaking during normal driving. These symptoms began before the check-engine light illuminated. Two days after the check-engine light first appeared, the lurching and surging became noticeably worse. Approximately two minutes before the first engine shutdown, numerous warnings appeared in rapid succession, including “Stability Control Not Available,” “Forward Alert Not Available,” “AEB Not Available,” and “ATPC Not Available.” I stopped the vehicle briefly. Approximately one minute after resuming driving, the engine unexpectedly shut off and the vehicle remained disabled for approximately 30 seconds before restarting. The abrupt loss of propulsion nearly caused the vehicle behind me to collide with the rear of my vehicle. During the second incident, the engine suddenly shut off while I was making a left turn through a four-way intersection. The vehicle became immobilized in the middle of the intersection, directly exposed to opposing oncoming traffic, and would not restart for approximately one minute. The sudden…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11760668

Power train

8 reports1 crash
“Pulled out of car wash to drying area. Car was still in D, with foot on brake. After a few moments, auto start/stop triggered shutting the car off, but rotary gear selector retracted while still in D. Would not allow restart as trans still in Drive and dash displayed Gearbox malfunction. After a 15 minute wait for system restart, tried to start to no avail. Had to get Discovery towed to dealer which informed that gear selector failed and needed replacement. Thank goodness I wasn't in a traffic situation. This problem has recalls on other models in same model year. Desire the Discovery (D5) to be included in recall. Car is at 82K miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2025Power trainODI 11639208

Structure

7 reports
“This vehicle has an active water intrusion from the headliner above the windshield due to windshield bonding and body seal failure. Water is dripping down and entering the dashboard area and shorting electrical control modules behind the media/glove box and media console. Each time the media/glove box is opened, the HVAC system shorts and forces the defrost system to activate involuntarily. The vehicle also exhibits Park Brake Fault warnings, delayed and intermittent no-start conditions, brake fluid loss, and electrical instability. This is an active electrical short inside federally regulated safety systems, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. The defect is progressive and continues to worsen”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2026Electrical system, Structure, Service brakesODI 11709050
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel · 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · 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 6, 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
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
212623$4,100448
Discovery
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel Drive
162118$4,400500
  • Discovery
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    21 city · 26 hwy · $4,100/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Discovery
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg
    16 city · 21 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Land Rover Discovery as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 12600
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

2018 Discovery questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Land Rover Discovery have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 2018 Land Rover Discovery problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (8), power train (8), structure (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Land Rover Discovery get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Land Rover Discovery at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026