2017 Land Rover Discovery Owners: It’s Time to Hold Land Rover Accountable

 For the last 15 years, I’ve been a loyal Land Rover customer, driving everything from the original Defender 90 to the Range Rover Full Body, the Land Rover Discovery Sport, and most recently, a Land Rover Discovery Full Size. My latest vehicle, a 2017 Land Rover Discovery, was purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle with just under 50,000 miles, backed by a warranty extending to 100,000 miles.

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As a resident of Pennsylvania and commuting to Christiana, DE, I average 20,000 to 25,000 miles per year. Despite faithfully maintaining my vehicle, my 2017 Land Rover Discovery’s engine failed just shy of 36 months after purchase. The cause? Coolant mixing with oil, resulting in catastrophic engine failure.

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Before the engine failure, I had taken the vehicle to the same Land Rover dealer multiple times for coolant-related issues, most recently for an O-ring coolant replacement. Just weeks later, the vehicle was back in for another coolant issue—this time I was told it was different. Not trusting the diagnosis, I took the car to a private Land Rover facility, where they confirmed it was, in fact, the same O-ring problem. A few months later, coolant began mixing with oil, leading to my engine’s complete destruction.

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Nightmare Begins at 100,000 Miles

I had heard horror stories about driving Land Rovers beyond warranty, but after owning so many models over the years, I shrugged them off—until now. Since hitting 100,000 miles, my Land Rover Discovery has been nothing but problem after problem after problem.

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I reached out to Land Rover corporate, fully expecting them to stand behind their product, especially given my 15-year loyalty to the brand. What I received was a slap in the face: a boilerplate response offering 30% off a refurbished engine with only a 20,000-mile warranty.

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The dealership, while not responsible for the engine failure, offered $2,000 in support—something I appreciated, but still left me having to come up with $7,500 for a new engine. I owe two more years on the vehicle, and I’m upside down in payments. Trading in the vehicle would require me to come up with $18,000 upfront—something I simply cannot do.

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Why I’m Starting This Campaign

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Land Rover’s response left me frustrated and angry. Their refusal to fully own up to the problem, while hiding behind legalities, showed me that they don’t stand behind their product or their customers. Whether I’m the only one or if there are hundreds of other stories like mine, Land Rover’s boilerplate response to a loyal customer is unacceptable.

This isn’t just about me—it’s about all the other people who may have been affected by the same coolant and engine issues in their 2017 Land Rover Discovery. Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer for JLR, recently said, “...we will increase the long-term high equity for our brands and the long-term sustainability of JLR.” I find it ironic that in the face of these bold claims about sustainability and high quality, Land Rover corporate turns its nose up at real problems like mine.

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I’m not starting this campaign because I’m trying to punish Land Rover or because I’ll never buy a Land Rover again—I’m starting it because they failed to do the right thing. I’m putting in a new engine and plan to drive this vehicle for another two to three years until it’s paid off, but Land Rover needs to be held accountable for ignoring serious issues that could affect countless other customers.

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Share Your Story: Let’s Hold Land Rover Accountable

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If you’ve experienced coolant issues, engine failures, or any other significant problems with your 2017 Land Rover Discovery, especially if your vehicle was under 150,000 miles, I want to hear from you. Whether you were within the warranty or not, if your engine failed or you experienced coolant-related issues, your story matters.

Land Rover needs to face the reality that their vehicles are not holding up as promised. If we unite and share our experiences, we can demand that Land Rover be held responsible for the monetary damages and stress they’ve caused loyal customers like us. This isn’t just about getting refunds or repairs—this is about making sure Land Rover stands by its word about high quality and sustainability.

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Contact Me

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If you’ve had similar problems with your 2017 Land Rover Discovery, let’s unite. Together, we can build a case and bring attention to this widespread issue. Reach out to me here: Yourstory@LRD2017.com

Let’s hold Land Rover accountable for their negligence and ensure that other customers don’t have to suffer through the same problems.

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