2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a compact luxury SUV known for its off-road capabilities and stylish design. It offers a blend of comfort and practicality, with available third-row seating, making it a unique option in its class. Many owners appreciate its distinctive Land Rover styling, interior features, and all-terrain performance. However, some criticisms include a higher price point compared to competitors, a somewhat cramped third row (if equipped), and reliability concerns. For the 2021 model year, the Discovery Sport was primarily equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Engine

2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4

• Timing Chain Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Excessive engine noise, rattling upon startup, check engine light with codes related to timing chain misalignment or stretch.
  • Solution: Replacement of the timing chain, tensioner, guides, and potentially other related components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $3000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil spots under the vehicle, burning oil smell, low oil level warning light. Common leak areas include the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, and timing chain cover.
  • Solution: Replacement of the leaking gasket or seal.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1000+ depending on the location and severity of the leak.
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

9-Speed Automatic

• Rough Shifting/Hesitation
  • Description/Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifts, particularly between lower gears. Hesitation or slipping during acceleration.
  • Solution: Some cases can be resolved with a software update/reprogramming of the transmission control module (TCM). More severe cases may require valve body replacement or a full transmission rebuild/replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $300 for software update; $1000 - $3000+ for valve body/transmission repairs.
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Compressor Failure (if equipped)
  • Description/Symptoms: Vehicle sits unevenly, suspension warning lights on the dashboard, inability to adjust ride height, loud compressor noise or no compressor noise at all.
  • Solution: Replacement of the air suspension compressor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Infotainment System Freezing/Crashing
  • Description/Symptoms: The touchscreen infotainment system becomes unresponsive, freezes, reboots unexpectedly, or exhibits glitching behavior.
  • Solution: Attempting a system reset or software update is often the first step. In some cases, the entire infotainment unit may need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 - $150 for software updates/reset; $800 - $2000+ for unit replacement.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Battery Drain
  • Description/Symptoms: The vehicle’s battery drains quickly, especially when the vehicle is not in use, leading to starting problems or a completely dead battery.
  • Solution: Diagnosis to identify the parasitic draw, which could be caused by a faulty module (e.g., infotainment, Bluetooth, alarm system). Repair or replacement of the offending component.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1000+ depending on the source of the drain.
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Water Leaks (Sunroof)
  • Description/Symptoms: Water leaking into the cabin, particularly around the headliner or A-pillars, after rain or car washes. Clogged sunroof drains are a common cause.
  • Solution: Clearing the sunroof drain tubes, resealing the sunroof assembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• No Issues Found

Summary

The 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport, while stylish and capable, can be prone to certain issues. The most concerning relate to the engine (timing chain, oil leaks) and transmission (rough shifting), which can be costly to repair. Electrical issues with the infotainment system are also common. Suspension and exterior issues occur as well, but are less common. Potential buyers should be aware of these potential problems and factor in the possibility of higher maintenance costs when considering this vehicle.