The 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport exhibits some reliability concerns primarily due to a recall related to seat belt retractor functionality. Given the average failure mileage of 6800 miles, owners should be particularly vigilant about seat belt functionality and child restraint systems.
Key Factor:Seat belt reliability issues
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Standard Safety Record
The 2021 Discovery Sport maintains a standard safety record for LAND ROVER, with 1 recall documented.
1 recall for this vehicle2.9 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
πWhy This Matters
Safety features like seat belts are critical for protecting all passengers in a vehicle, especially children seated in the back. The recall regarding the early deactivation of automatic locking retractors can prevent proper securing of child restraint systems, which significantly increases the risk during potential collisions. Itβs imperative that parents ensure these systems function correctly to safeguard their loved ones on each journey.
A recall may indicate underlying engineering challenges, which can raise concerns about overall vehicle safety and quality. This is particularly relevant for a brand like Land Rover, known for its luxury and performance; any lapse in core safety components such as seat belts can diminish trust amongst current and prospective owners looking to secure their family's safety.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Fire
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Vs Brand: Better than avg (2.9)
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Summary: The year-over-year trend for the Land Rover Discovery Sport suggests attention must be paid to safety systems, particularly given the recent recall on seat belts. While the model retains its luxurious reputation, these defects introduce potential risks that could be alarming for families prioritizing passenger protection.
Safety & Reliability Score
92/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-0.15
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 LAND ROVER Discovery Sport
Model Year2021
MakeLAND ROVER
ModelDiscovery Sport
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Sep21
ISSUEFirst Report
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
1 complaints (33% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
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Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 3 consumer complaints by severity level.
π High
2(67%)
π’Low
1(33%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
βοΈEngineering Insight
With peak failures occurring between 0-20k miles and an average failure mileage of just 6800 miles, it is evident that potential issues may arise early in a vehicle's life cycle. Owners should remain vigilant for any signs of malfunction in critical safety components like seat belts within this mileage range.
π Mileage data extracted from 1 of 3 complaints (33% coverage)
0-20k
1 reports (100%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
π οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
SEAT BELTS
π―Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Seat Belts
Issue: Automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, compromising child restraint system security.
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Immediately confirm proper functioning of all seat belts and child restraint systems; consult a dealer if there are concerns.
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Verify that the vehicle has been inspected for compliance with recall fixes before purchase.
Campaign:21V123000
π‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your LAND ROVER dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (1)
Campaign: 21V668000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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Summary
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Range Rover, 2022 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2021 Range Rover Velar, Discovery Sport, 2020-2022 Discovery, and Defender vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
Consequence
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N630.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
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No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
3 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Discovery Sport.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Fire33%
Check Engine Light33%
Warning33%
Engine/Powertrainβ οΈ High
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Major misfires in the engine cylinders at 56800 miles. I bought the car from Willis Auto in Des Moines Ia in October of 2021 Brand new. I am the one and only driver/owner of this vehicle. I came out of my home in Omaha Ne on or about [XXX], to which I attempted to drive my vehicle. The car engine began shaking and would not stay on. I then had the car towed in to Land Rover of Omaha which is the closest Land Rover dealership. I was initially told everything was fine except it needed to change the spark plugs. To which I agreed to have the repairs done. I was later notified that the car that I have is notorious for engine failure around 60k. I was told that the suggested repairs would be a new engine priced at 27k. I am under my LR warranty for length of ownership being under for years, however the mileage is over 6,800 miles. So I would not be covered under my power train warranty. This engine failure is definitely not just a one off situation. The dealership has said they don't understand why it is failed and have confirmed that it should not be failing this soon. I believe this is something that JAGUAR Land Rover is aware of any dispite that knowledge they are continuing to sell these cars and pass the costly repairs on to the unsuspecting consumer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electricalπ΅ Low
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The ignition does not turn on or the car will not power on with the key. The car has been at the dealership for a month and they have been unable to repair what is clearly an electronic problem with the vehicle. The power button in the ignition does not power up and the vehicle does not start.
Engine/Powertrainβ οΈ High
ENGINE
The vehicle has a transmission problem. The vehicle will shut off at a stop and will come out of gear. I have been sitting at a traffic light and when the light turns green the car will not move (it goes back into neutral). When this happens I have to turn the engine off and restart the car before it will go into drive. When I back out of my driveway onto the main road and then place the vehicle in drive the vehicle will not go into gear leaving me and the car stranded in the road. This vehicle is going to get me injured or killed. Someone is going to hit me because I cannot move out of the way. I have almost been hit numerous times because I cannot get out of the way of oncoming traffic. The car has been back to the manufacturer 3 times now (this time they have had the car 22 days and it is still not repaired). No warning lights have come on before the incident, however the check engine light will appear after the car fails to go into gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What safety features should I check on my 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport?
For your 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport, it's vital to check the functionality of all seat belts, especially if you have children secured in car seats. Given the recent recall related to seat belt retractors potentially deactivating too early, make sure they lock properly when engaged. Consider visiting your dealership for a thorough inspection if you're unsure about their operation.
How does the NHTSA recall affect my ability to sell or trade my Discovery Sport?
The NHTSA recall concerning your Land Rover Discovery Sport can impact resale value as buyers often seek vehicles with clean safety records. Itβs essential to either have all necessary repairs completed prior to selling or be transparent with potential buyers about any recalls and repairs made so they feel confident in their decision.
πYear-over-Year Context
πImproving Trend
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2020 issues. Recall frequency decreased 67%.
π§What This Means for You
Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified LAND ROVER service centerβrepairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in LAND ROVER's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
This specific Discovery Sport year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.