Land Rover   ·   2009–2016

Discovery 4 Discovery 5: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems (2009–2016)

16 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, four concern the steering and three the engine and fuel system. Each entry covers the symptoms, cause, workshop fix and any part numbers.

16 documented faults

Engine & fuel system

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Booming noise when accelerating at 2600-2800rpm.

Adjust & tighten2 parts
Affects:

All models with 508PN or 508PS engine code: Discovery 4: VIN AA510178→. Range Rover Sport: VIN AA212145→.

Vibration damper not fitted to transfer box.

Workshop instructions & parts2 parts

Workshop procedure

  1. Fit vibration damper to transfer box Fig.125647 .
  2. Tighten fixing bolt to the correct torque of 75 Nm.
  3. View View more information
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Vibration damperIAI5001001
Fixing boltIYP5000801

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Coolant loss.

Fit modified part3 parts
Affects:

All models with 508PN/508PS engine codes: Discovery 4: VIN AA510178→. Range Rover: VIN AA304426→. Range Rover Sport: VIN AA212145→.

What you'd notice

Low engine coolant level warning displayed.

The repair

Engine coolant pump failure.

Workshop instructions & parts3 parts

Workshop procedure

  1. Fit modified engine coolant pump.
  2. Fit new auxiliary drive belt if necessary.
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Engine coolant pumpLR0294121
Coolant hoseLR0119971
Auxiliary drive belt (engine code 508PN)LR0126631

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Engine misfire when engine coolant temperature below 75°C.

Fault codesP0300P0301P0302P0303P0304P0305P0306P0307P0308P0316
Affects:

All models with 3.0/5.0 petrol engines.

What you'd notice

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated when engine coolant temperature below 75°C. Trouble codes stored: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, P0308, P0316.

The repair

Engine control module (ECM) software fault.

Workshop instructions

Workshop procedure

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program engine control module (ECM) with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.

Electrical & ignition

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

TPMS warning lamp illuminated.

Fit modified part1 part
Affects:

All models: Discovery 4: VIN LA510178→. Range Rover: VIN LM302697→. Range Rover Sport: VIN LS212145→.

What you'd notice

TPMS warning message displayed in multifunction display. Trouble codes related to TPMS stored in fault memory.

The repair

Signal interference from alternator.

Workshop instructions & parts1 part

Workshop procedure

  1. Fit modified TPMS sensors.
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
TPMS sensorLR031713, or LR0317125

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Intermittent self-activation of alarm system siren.

Fit new part1 part
Affects:

All models.

What you'd notice

Audible warning sounds when locking vehicle. Bonnet open warning message displayed in instrument panel.

The repair

Bonnet switch faulty.

Workshop instructions & parts1 part

Workshop procedure

  1. Fit new bonnet switch. Bonnet switch integral to bonnet latch.
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Bonnet switchLR0543311

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Brakes

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Excessive heat build up in rear brakes.

Affects:

All models with electric parking brake (EPB): Discovery 3: VIN 5A000259→. Discovery 4: VIN AA513326→. Range Rover Sport: VIN 5A900106→.

What you'd notice

Electric parking brake (EPB) warning lamp illuminated. Squeal from rear brakes when driving. Squeal from rear brakes when electric parking brake (EPB) is operated. Trouble codes stored: C1A43, C1A53, C1A46.

The repair

Parking brake shoes binding. Parking brake shoes seizing due to build up of debris. EPB control module software fault.

Workshop instructions

Workshop procedure

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. Ensure parking brake shoes are correctly adjusted.
  3. If no fault(s) found: Re-program EPB control module with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Front brake judder.

Fit modified part
Affects:

All models: Discovery 4: VIN AA513326-AA555717. Range Rover Sport: VIN AA215623-AA276763.

Front brake disc distortion.

Workshop instructions

Workshop procedure

  1. Fit new front brake discs.
  2. Check front brake disc runout. If front brake disc runout is greater than 0.03 mm: Remove front brake discs. Check front hub runout. If front hub runout is greater than 0.014 mm: Replace front hubs. Fit front brake discs.
  3. Fit modified front brake pads.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.

Suspension & drivetrain

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Knocking noise from front suspension when driving over uneven surfaces.

1 part
Affects:

All models.

What you'd notice

Knocking noise from front suspension when braking at low speed.

The repair

Excessive play in front suspension lower arm rear bush.

Workshop instructions & parts1 part

Workshop procedure

  1. Replace front suspension lower arm rear bush on both sides.
  2. Check front wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Suspension lower arm rear bushLR0674942

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.

Steering

4 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Squeaking noise from steering column when steering wheel turned.

Fit new part1 part
Affects:

All models, VIN 000259-485435.

Insufficient lubrication of power steering rack pinion oil seal.

Workshop instructions & parts1 part

Workshop procedure

  1. Remove power steering rack.
  2. Fit new power steering rack pinion oil seal. Use special tool: 308-518 .
  3. Refit power steering rack.
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Power steering rack pinion oil seal kitLR0105451

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Non start.

Fault codesB1026Fit modified part
Affects:

All models, 2010 MY: Discovery 4: VIN AA528400-AA539400. Range Rover Sport: VIN AA235080-AA248600.

What you'd notice

Message centre displays 'steering column locked'. Trouble codes stored: B1026-12, B100D-87.

The repair

Instrument panel faulty.

Workshop instructions

Workshop procedure

  1. Fit modified instrument panel.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

Steering wheel vibration when driving.

Fit modified part
Affects:

All models, VIN AA513326→.

Flat spot on tyre. Wheels out of balance. Front suspension lower arm bush faulty. Power steering rack faulty. Defective steering wheel.

Workshop instructions

Workshop procedure

  1. Check tyre condition, tyre pressure and wheel balance.
  2. If fault still present: Fit new front suspension lower arm bushes. Fit new power steering rack. Fit modified steering wheel.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Steering heavy.

Fit new part2 parts
Affects:

All models.

What you'd notice

Noise from steering column when driving over uneven surfaces or when manoeuvring or parking.

The repair

Water ingress into steering column lower universal joint causing corrosion.

Workshop instructions & parts2 parts

Workshop procedure

  1. Fit new steering column lower shaft.
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Steering column lower shaft - RHDLR0711461
Steering column lower shaft - LHDLR0711471

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.

Clutch & gearbox

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Warning message 'Transmission Fault' displayed in instrument panel.

Fault codesP0780
Affects:

All models with 8HP70 transmission code, 2014-16.

What you'd notice

Transmission control module (TCM) in limp home mode. Trouble code stored: P0780.

The repair

Transmission control module (TCM) software fault.

Workshop instructions

Workshop procedure

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program transmission control module (TCM) with upgraded software. Note: To carry out an effective repair a software upgrade will be required - refer to manufacturer.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.

Air conditioning & heating

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

AC/heater outlet air temperature does not correspond to setting.

1 part
Affects:

All models.

Poor sealing of in-car temperature sensor air intake ducting allowing air to escape.

Workshop instructions & parts1 part

Workshop procedure

  1. Remove in-car temperature sensor air intake ducting assembly.
  2. Fit foam pad to in-car temperature sensor air intake ducting. Ensure foam pad covers edges of air intake ducting Fig.1267516.1 .
  3. Refit in-car temperature sensor air intake ducting assembly.
  4. View View more information
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Foam padETD 5005501

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 16.

Body & trim

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Clock cannot be set to correct time.

Affects:

All models with analogue clock: Discovery 4: VIN 510178-525032. Range Rover Sport: VIN 212145-230615.

Workshop instructions

Workshop procedure

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program multifunction control module with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Other

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Cracking noise from left hand speakers in DAB mode.

Affects:

All models with digital audio broadcast (DAB) audio unit.

Digital audio broadcast (DAB) control module software fault.

Workshop instructions

Workshop procedure

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program digital audio broadcast (DAB) control module with upgraded software. Note: To carry out an effective repair a software upgrade will be required - refer to manufacturer.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 15.

Take it with you

Before you view one

Each documented fault as a quick check for a viewing or test drive — tick them off as you go.

  • 01 ↗
  • 02 ↗
  • 03 ↗
  • 04 ↗
  • 05 ↗
  • 06 ↗
  • 07 ↗
  • 08 ↗
  • 09 ↗
  • 10 ↗
  • 11 ↗
  • 12 ↗
  • 13 ↗
  • 14 ↗
  • 15 ↗
  • 16 ↗

A little workshop vocabulary

Workshop terms used on this page

Definitions for the technical language used in these bulletins.

MIL
Malfunction indicator lamp — the engine warning light on the dashboard
ECM
Engine control module — the car's engine computer
VIN
Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
Nm
Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
Trouble Codes
Standardised fault codes stored by the engine computer, read with a diagnostic tool
DAB
Digital audio broadcast — digital radio
EPB
Electric parking brake — an electronic handbrake, operated by a switch rather than a lever
TCM
Transmission control module — the gearbox computer
TPMS
Tyre pressure monitoring system — warns if a tyre is under-inflated
Control Module
A computer that runs one of the car's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Disc Runout
How much a brake disc wobbles; too much causes vibration or squeal
Engine Coolant Temperature
How hot the engine is, read by a sensor the computer uses for fuelling and cooling fans
Fault Memory
The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
In-Car Temperature
The cabin-temperature sensor used by the climate control
Instrument Panel
The dashboard display that shows warning lights and messages
Limp Home
A safety mode that cuts power so you can crawl to a workshop
Message Centre
The information display in the instrument panel that shows warning messages
Multifunction Control Module
The body computer that runs shared electrical functions (lights, wipers, locking, and so on)
Pinion Oil Seal
The seal on a differential pinion shaft — a common source of oil leaks
Re-Program
Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
Steering Column Locked
The electronic steering lock has engaged — the column will not turn until the key is recognised
Transfer Box
The gearbox that splits drive between the front and rear axles, and selects high/low range
Trouble Code
A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Alternator
The unit that charges the battery while the engine is running
Auxiliary Drive Belt
The belt that drives the alternator, water pump, steering pump or air-conditioning compressor
Bonnet Switch
The switch that tells the alarm whether the bonnet is open
Bush
A rubber mounting that lets a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Bushes
Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Lower Arm
A suspension link that locates the wheel at the bottom of the hub
Universal Joint
A flexible coupling in a driveshaft that lets it bend as the suspension moves

Common questions

Using this guide.

What are the common faults with the Land Rover Discovery 4 Discovery 5?

Garages and workshops regularly encounter 16 documented faults on the Land Rover Discovery 4 Discovery 5 — four concern the steering and three the engine and fuel system. Each fault above lists the symptoms, cause, fix and any parts needed.

Does every Land Rover Discovery 4 Discovery 5 have these faults?

No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual car. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.

Can I check for Land Rover Discovery 4 Discovery 5 faults when viewing one?

Many of them, yes — the documented symptoms are things you can see, hear or feel on a viewing or test drive. The 'Before you view one' checklist above turns each documented fault into a quick check you can tick off as you go.

Workshop term

See in the glossary →