With the Land Rover being such a popular company for larger cars, it’s no wonder they would create a capable SUV. Land Rover Discovery 4 is a powerful car that has some lingering issues. Below, we will check the most common of those, going over Land Rover Discovery 4 problems.
The Land Rover Discovery 4 is a luxurious and capable SUV that has been in production since 2009. It is the fourth iteration of the popular Discovery line and has been a favorite among off-road enthusiasts and families alike.
Under the hood, the Discovery 4 is powered by a range of engines, including a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine that produces 240 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. There is also a 5.0-liter V8 petrol engine available that delivers 375 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.
The interior of the Discovery 4 is spacious and well-appointed, with high-quality materials and advanced technology. It offers seating for up to seven passengers and boasts features such as a premium audio system, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a panoramic sunroof.
Off-road capability is where the Discovery 4 truly shines, thanks to its advanced terrain response system, hill descent control, and locking rear differential. It can tackle even the most challenging off-road conditions with ease.
With the Land Rover Discovery 4, we can expect problems despite its firmly potent specifications. The car, aside from general problems, will also have some specific ones. However, the most common ones are the most troublesome for a car.
Most Common Land Rover Discovery 4 Problems
Common problems of the Land Rover Discovery 4 include tailgate actuator problems, water pump leaks, and alternator failure. Other more serious issues include timing chain problems and air suspension problems.
- Air suspension
Air suspension can aid or fully replace spring suspension that most cars have. The advantage of air suspension lies in its customizability. It’s possible for air suspension to adjust its height and rigidness depending on the conditions of the road. However, it isn’t without its faults.
On Land Rover Discovery 4, air suspension problems are relatively common. Their occurrence compromising the stability of the car especially when you drive through rougher terrain. This could lead to internal damage, as the improper suspension fails to prevent outside forces from impacting the car. [1]
When air suspension fails in Land Rover Discovery 4 we can expect slow rising of the car when suspension is changed. Additionally, off road and access mode become inaccessible. Generally lowering the quality of your ride.
- Tailgate Actuator
A tailgate actuator is used to lock, unlock, or open the rear liftgate of the car. This component is most frequently found in the SUVs and comes with some extra functionality. Simple sensors that tell you whether the rear liftgate is open or not being the most common.
Problems with the tailgate actuator make our car harder to lock ad unlock. Sometimes fully preventing those actions from being executed, even manually. The problems this can cause are best avoided. Especially if you frequently use Land Rover Discovery 4 as means to transport items. [2]
The problem can be caught onto early if you pay attention. When opening the back of your car, listen for the sound it makes. If it sounds weak, it’s likely the car’s actuator is dying.
- Water pump leak
Water pump is a vital component to a car’s cooling system. It keeps the fluids circulating around the important components, preventing any overheating that could stem from overworking the vehicle.
A water pump breaking could be devastating to the entire car. Lack of cooling results in vehicle driving far worse. Prolonged issues with a water pump can damage the engine, which can result in some considerable costs. [3]
The overheating can affect auxiliary components tied to the engine too. Which will often spiral into multiple pricey repairs that all have a chance of spreading malfunction further throughout the car.
- Timing Chain
Yet another potential problem can come from timing chain issues. The timing chain is what aligns the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft, which are two elements that help the wheels go round. The timing chain is connected with the rest of the process by directly allowing cylinders of the car to produce power.
Timing chain remains functional by using the oil from the car as lubrication. Avoiding potential damage that would come from friction. To make sure it stays that way, constant fuel change is required. However, the one recommended by the Land Rover Discovery 4 manual is often found lacking. [4]
The manual recommends that car’s oil be replaced every 15,000 miles. The owners have found it better to change the oil far earlier to make Land Rover Discovery 4’s timing chain last longer. As it is a pricey component, this action is preferred.
If a timing chain goes bad your car could be rendered unusable. The connection between wheel and the cylinders of the car becomes inconsistent, usually causing even more problems for the driver. Rattling sounds under the hood could be an apparent symptom of this.
- Alternator Failure
Whenever a car needs to convert chemical energy to electrical, it uses an alternator. This component is used to charge the battery in your engine as well as other electrical components of the car. Just like a few other components we’ve discussed, alternator is critical. Its malfunction leading to multiple issues with the overall car
Land Rover Discovery 4 has had reports of alternator failure for a while now. Though they usually take longer to show up. Sometimes even upwards of 100,000 miles can pass before the problems with alternator crop up. However, the repercussions of these problems will be considerable. [5]
Bad alternator makes cars harder to start, has the engine chug more, and can dim your lights. No matter what light you have on, Land Rover Discovery 4 will have it work worse due to this bad alternator. Other electrical components can suffer too, but these are the immediate effects you can notice.
Solutions of Land Rover Discovery 4
As with all types of cars and problems, there are also solutions. All of these peculiar problems can be resolved by taking ample care of our vehicle beforehand.
For air suspension, you are almost guaranteed to get warning on the dashboard. The car should be restarted on a flat, even surface. If the air suspension can be heard inflating, your Land Rover Discovery 4 may just be badly calibrated. However, if the suspension doesn’t react, you may need to replace the air bladders.
Alternator failure is generally solved by replacing a passenger side gasket preemptively. This still costs but may prevent further damage in the car. The issue can be spotted earlier by noticing the dimmed lights or struggling start.
When experiencing a car getting hot, check the water pump. Either the issue gets resolved by removing debris or we replace the entire pump.
Replacing oil every 7,000 miles is a great way to avoid timing chain issues. It’s very useful because actual damage to the timing chain can cost hundreds.
The solutions are plentiful, sometimes more than the problems. However, knowing if your warranty is active is important. Replacement of some of these parts is expensive, having it covered is more than preferred.
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Conclusion
Land Rover Discovery 4 is a great SUV but some issues are firmly present for the car. The important ones above should be taken care of as soon as possible. If fixes fail, make sure to get the car to a mechanic’s shop as soon as possible. Using warranty may come in handy too, if an issue does crop up.
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