This known manufacturing defect causes sudden engine seizures with potentially dangerous consequences, yet Jaguar Land Rover's response remains inadequate. Many owners face costly repairs with minimal support, despite the serious safety risks involved. This article explores the extent of the problem, owners' frustrations, and calls for Jaguar Land Rover to take full responsibility and implement proper recalls to protect customers and restore trust.
One of my all-time favorite cars has been my Land Rover Discovery. I’ve loved it for its combination of rugged off-road capability, luxurious interior, and powerful turbocharged engine, making it a versatile vehicle that can handle daily driving and serious adventure with equal ease. The Discovery has a commanding presence, comfortable ride, and advanced technology that kept me connected and safe. It’s exactly the kind of vehicle that balances performance and practicality beautifully.
So it was a big shock and deep disappointment when, recently, I experienced a sudden engine seizure pulling away from a junction — the crankshaft failed without warning, rendering the vehicle incapacitated instantly. This is not an isolated incident. Across the UK and worldwide, thousands of Discovery owners are reporting similar catastrophic crankshaft failures. In fact, on Facebook alone, there is a group of over 8,100 members—The Failing Crank Group —dedicated to sharing experiences and warnings about this alarming issue.
When I approached Land Rover for help, I was effectively dismissed and offered a mere 10% discount on the parts needed to fix the problem. This response feels insultingly inadequate for what is a serious, potentially dangerous manufacturing defect. A failing crankshaft at speed could result in a loss of control and potentially cause accidents or injury.
This crankshaft failure in the Land Rover Discovery, especially prominent in the 3.0 TDV6 and SDV6 diesel engines, is widely recognized as a known manufacturing fault. Numerous owners, mechanics, and investigation threads confirm that the failures are mainly due to rotation and breakdown of main bearing shells causing the crankshaft to seize or snap, often with little warning. Land Rover has issued technical bulletins (such as SSM 72578) acknowledging the problem but has largely refrained from offering substantial recall actions or support, leaving customers to bear the enormous repair costs.
And across the Pond in the USA...
Crankshaft failures in Land Rover Discovery models are a real and widely reported problem in the United States, not just overseas. US Discovery and Range Rover owners with TDV6 and SDV6 engines as well as some V6 petrol models have experienced sudden engine seizures and catastrophic crankshaft breakages, often without warning. These failures are confirmed by numerous reports on American Land Rover forums, specialist mechanics’ findings, and owner discussion threads, where detailed accounts of low- to mid-mileage vehicles needing complete engine replacements are common.
The American Land Rover community is actively engaged around this issue, with US-based owners contributing to global Facebook groups and specialized forums documenting cases, sharing repair experiences, and offering legal advice. Many American owners have voiced frustration at Land Rover’s lack of support, especially when failures occur just outside warranty. Online discussions highlight the high cost of repairs, which typically require a full engine rebuild or replacement, and the limited financial assistance or extended coverage offered by the manufacturer.
Technical bulletins and Special Service Messages released by Land Rover also reference the North American market, identifying main bearing shell rotation and crankshaft fractures as known vulnerabilities in these engines. Despite official acknowledgment, there has been no comprehensive recall or proactive customer assistance program in the USA, leaving many owners to organize their own efforts for documentation, advocacy, and in some cases legal action.
"My Crank Failed on The Motorway!"
Repairing or replacing the crankshaft and associated engine damage is a costly ordeal, often running into thousands of dollars, which many feel should be covered or heavily subsidized by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as the manufacturer acknowledging the defect. Meanwhile, owners are left frustrated and financially burdened for what should be a warranty or recall fix.
The risk also escalates as these engines age and accumulate mileage; some fail as early as 80,000 km while others last beyond 200,000 km without issue. However, the uncertainty means every owner lives with the fear of an unexpected, severe failure.
It is high time JLR takes full responsibility for this defect. They must provide meaningful assistance and warranty coverage to affected Discovery owners worldwide and initiate comprehensive recalls or remediation programs. Ignoring the problem and offering token discounts is unacceptable when the safety and costly ownership implications are so serious.
While the Land Rover Discovery remains a beloved, highly capable vehicle that I personally admire, this crankshaft failure crisis casts a long shadow over the model. The engineering brilliance and comfort are overshadowed by this critical flaw that threatens both safety and customer trust. JLR must urgently step up to fix this and restore confidence in the Discovery brand.
Key Points & Statistics:
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Over 8,100 members in a dedicated Facebook group reporting crankshaft issues globally.
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Failures mainly affect 3.0 TDV6 and SDV6 diesel engines, recognized by Land Rover’s Special Service Messages.
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Common failure symptoms include loud knocking noises, loss of oil pressure, engine seizure, and sometimes catastrophic engine block damage.
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Failure rates are estimated by some owner forums to be between 1% to 5%, though exact figures are not officially published.
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Crankshaft failures can occur from around 80,000 km onward, often related to bearing shell rotation and degradation.
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Repair costs are substantial, often exceeding ten thousand pounds or dollars.
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Land Rover’s customer response has been insufficient; only small parts discounts offered instead of recalls or extended warranties.
This issue deserves urgent manufacturer attention given the potential danger and large number of affected owners.
If you own a Discovery or are considering one, stay informed on early warning signs such as unusual engine noises, oil pressure warnings, and irregular performance to address problems before severe failure occurs.
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