RoadVitals

1994 Land Rover Discovery

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Feb 16, 2005
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 15, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Land Rover Discovery, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, interior & seats and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 22 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels320.0%
  • Interior & seats320.0%
  • Brakes213.3%
  • Engine16.7%
  • Fuel system16.7%
  • Steering16.7%
  • Airbags16.7%
  • Transmission16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
12E010000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Mar 15, 2012
180 units potentially affected
The defect: JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, INC. (LAND ROVER) IS RECALLING CERTAIN REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLINGS, LAND ROVER BRANDED PART NUMBER TVF100010, MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2011 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2011, SOLD FOR USE AS SERVICE PARTS FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995-1999 DISCOVERY, 1999-2004 DISCOVERY II, AND 1995 RANGE ROVER CLASSIC VEHICLES. SOME OF THE REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE REQUIRED ENGINEERING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXHIBIT THE ONSET OF JOINT SEPARATION, PRECLUDED BY DRIVE LINE VIBRATION.
The risk: IF THIS INCREASED VIBRATION WARNING SIGN IS IGNORED, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVE COUPLING CAN OCCUR. THE DRIVESHAFT MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION RESULTING IN LOSS OF DRIVE AND LOSS OF TRANSMISSION PARK FUNCTIONALITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH AND/OR INJURY.
The remedy: LAND ROVER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA AT 1-201-818-8500.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, LLCManufacturer number P024View on NHTSA.gov
98V040000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Feb 24, 1998
54,488 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AS A RESULT OF CHAFFING OF A CRUISE CONTROL WIRE, THE STEERING WHEEL ROTARY COUPLER CAN OVERHEAT AND INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG.
The risk: DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING CAN CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSIBLE LINK WHICH WILL PROTECT THE ROTARY COUPLER FROM OVERHEATING.
ROVER GROUP, LIMITEDView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
Airbags
Filed Feb 16, 2005
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER WAS UPSET AND SLAMMED THE CONSOLE, AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THERE WAS NO LIGHT INDICATION OF ANY DEFECTS OF THE AIR BAG. ALSO, HORN WAS STUCK AS RESULT CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OUT A FUSE. *AK *EH *JB

NHTSA ID
10089916
Incident
Aug 21, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Jan 24, 2005

RECALL 04V203000 CONCERNING LAND ROVER FUEL TANKS: CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10099324
Incident
Oct 19, 2004
Mileage
75,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 17, 2004

THE SUPPORT WEBBING OF THE DRIVERS SEAT IN THIS VEHICLE FAILED IN TENSION. THE POINT OF FAILURE WAS NEAR THE MIDPOINT OF THE WEBBING SPAN. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE METAL SPRING SUPPORT PLACES A NORMAL FORCE ON THE TOP SURFACE OF THE WEBBING WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS IN USE. THE RELATIVELY HARD, METAL SPRING RUBS THE SURFACE OF THE WEBBING AS THE DRIVER'S WEIGHT IS SHIFTED ON THE SEAT. EVENTUALLY THIS CAUSES A WEAK AREA IN THE WEBBING AND THE TENSION PLACED ON THE WEBBING BY ITS CONNECTION WITH THE FRAME OF THE SEAT IS TOO GREAT FOR THIS WEEK AREA. THUS THE WEBBING SNAPS APART AT THIS LOCATION. WHEN THE WEBBING SNAPS, THE DRIVER IS SUBJECT TO A SUDDEN DROP IN SITTING HEIGHT. THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES FOR ME. HAD THIS SUDDEN CHANGE IN SITTING HEIGHT OCCURRED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, UNDESIRED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10087045
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 16, 2004

THE DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSED IN THE SEAT SECTION. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE SEAT SUDDENLY FAILED AND DROPPED ABOUT 3-INCHES. THE SUPPORT SECTION OF THE SEAT FAILED. HOWEVER, THE LEATHER SEAT COVER HELD MY WEIGHT, BUT THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FAILED COMPLETELY. UNDER MANY CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT AND COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CONSIDERED THE FAILURE TO BE OF A SAFETY NATURE AND WELL OUTSIDE OF THE DEFINITION OF NORMAL WEAR. I REPORTED THIS FAILURE TO MY LOCAL LAND ROVER DEALER AND REQUESTED LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA BE ADVISED OF THIS UNUSUAL FAILURE. I PURCHASED TWO 1994 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY VEHICLES, NEW IN 1994. BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE NOW HAD THIS SAME FAILURE. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE FIELD OF SAFETY. MY PRIMARY FIELD IS AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS, BUT I HAVE DONE IN EXCESS OF FIFTY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10086921
Incident
Aug 8, 2004
Mileage
217,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 2004
Crash reported

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. . WHEELS LOCK WHEN TRAVELING ON A NON TRACTION ROAD. *AK....TWO YEAR'S AGO THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN TWO COLLISIONS DUE TO ABS FAILURE ON FRESH WET SNOW. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075795
Incident
Feb 10, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 10, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ABS BRAKE FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061757
Incident
Mar 10, 2004
Engine
Filed Feb 12, 2003

DURING MANUFACTURE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FLEXIBLE GASKET SEALANT MATERIAL WAS USED TO SEAL THE OIL PAN TO THE ENGINE. THE EXCESS MATERIAL ENDED UP IN THE OIL PAN, AND WAS PICKED UP BY THE OIL PUMP. THIS MATERIAL BLOCKED THE OIL PUMP PICKUP SCREEN, STARVING THE ENGINE OF OIL UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY OVERHEATED, SEIZED, AND FAILED.

NHTSA ID
10005736
Incident
Dec 1, 2001
Mileage
80,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 12, 2003

THE EARLY MODEL YEAR LT230 TRANSFER CASE INPUT GEAR DID NOT PROVIDE FOR LUBRICATION TO THE MAINSHAFT. THIS CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE MAINSHAFT SPLINES, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE MAINSHAFT. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE EXCESSIVE LASH, AND CLONKING WHEN SHIFTING. ONCE THE MAINSHAFT FAILS, THERE IS NO POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN. THIS DEFECT WAS CORRECTED AT THE FACTORY WITH A CROSS-DRILLED GEAR IN 1997, BUT NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED. THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET.

NHTSA ID
10005734
Incident
Oct 6, 2002
Mileage
110,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SFCC_08MAR18_16

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The 'Service Required' warning text will not appear on the Instrument Cluster (IC) if a vehicle has reached its service point.

SFCC-14SEP17

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call

SSM56457

ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

"ISSUE: REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED OF ENGINE DAMAGE OCCURRING, WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE USE OF NON-APPROVED ENGINE INDUCTION / FUEL INJECTION CLEANING EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ""VACU-FLUSH"" TYPE EQUIPMENT. CAUSE: THE USE OF NON-APPROVED EQUIPMENT CAN CAUSE THE ENGINES TO HYDRO-LOCK, OR CAUSE OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE, AND SOMETIMES THE ONLY POSSIBLE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE."

SSM68378

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

"ISSUE: THIS SSM HAS BEEN RELEASED TO ADDRESS THE HIGH NUMBER OF SPEAKER ASSEMBLIES RETURNED, MANY OF WHICH ARE DEEMED AS “NO FAULT FOUND”. CAUSE: INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS."

370103

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

OIL SEEPAGE FROM MANUAL TRANSMISSION FRONT COVER. IMPROVED MANUAL TRANSMISSION SEALING. *TT

600197

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRONT SWIVEL SEAL REPLACEMENT AND GREASE FILL. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Land Rover Discovery by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026110—
2025020—
2024740—
2023750—
2022950—
2021105054.7
2020186058.9
2019384060.5
2018364053.3
2017543045.6
2016500—
2006200—
2005000—
2004290150.8
2003481045.3
2002170043.2
2001131051.4
2000301049.2
1999173056.1
1998332057.2
1997352056.8
1996653155.1
1995494056.5
1994Viewing152053.4
1993000—
1992000—
1991000—
1990000—
1989000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.