RoadVitals

1997 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.
35
Latest May 27, 2012
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.
11

Overview

Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Land Rover Discovery, most frequently naming the brakes, airbags and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 31 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

  • Brakes1331.7%
  • Airbags614.6%
  • Engine512.2%
  • Fuel system49.8%
  • Transmission49.8%
  • Driver assistance37.3%
  • Electrical24.9%
  • Visibility12.4%

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 35
Brakes
Filed May 27, 2012

RIGHT FRONT ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTION. UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO ABS ENGAGING. VIBRATED VEHICLE OUT INTO INTERSECTION. LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID BEING T-BONED BY ACCELERATING HARD. HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE. UPON RESEARCHING PROBLEM FOUND IT TO BE COMMON IN 97 DISCOVERY. ALSO FOUND MOST PEOPLE HAVE WOUND IP REMOVING ABS FUSE DUE TO PROBLEM RECURRING EVEN AFTER REPAIR. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL MANY YEARS AGO. LAND ROVER NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10459794
Incident
Apr 20, 2012
Mileage
88,243 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 25, 2008

TWO YEARS AGO I REPLACED A FUEL TANK ON MY LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 1997 AT THE DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO AS A RESULT OF THE SAFETY RECALL ACTION B156 - FUEL TANK CRACKING. THE REPLACEMENT TANK IS EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM AS FOR THE INITIAL RECALL. IT LEAKS WHEN FULL AND NOTICEABLE FUEL ODOR CAN BE SMELLED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME AFTER I NOTIFIED THEM WITH THE RECENT PROBLEM, THAT THE REPLACEMENT TANK HAS ONLY ONE YEAR WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS WAS RECALLED AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE TANK AT THEIR COST. WHAT DO YOU ADVICE I TELL THEM NEXT FRIDAY WHEN I TAKE THE VEHICLE IN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10239653
Incident
Aug 25, 2008
Fuel system
Filed Apr 14, 2008

RECENTLY FOUND OUT THOUGH NHTSA THAT LAND ROVER HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR FUEL SYSTEM , GASOLINE : STORAGE (FUEL TANK) IT SEEMS A STRESS CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANKS WHICH MAY RESULT IN A FIRE . THE REMEDY ACCORDING TO THE REPORT IS FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. I CONTACTED LAND ROVER THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL STATING IT DOSE NOT EFFECT MY VEHICLE WHEN THE REPORT CLEARLY SAYS THAT IT DOES. PLEASE HELP ME CHILDREN RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS 4V203000. THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THANK YOU JAMES FOWLER *TR

NHTSA ID
10224469
Incident
Apr 14, 2008
Body & structure
Filed Sep 14, 2007

1997 OFF-LEASE VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM LOUISVILLE LAND ROVER IN MARCH OF 2000. WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND MGR STATED I SHOULD ACCEPT VEHICLE AND FILE CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR REPLACEMENT. REFUSED DELIVERY UNTIL DEALER REPLACED WINDSHIELD. FIRST RAIN AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, VEHICLE HEADLINER DRIPPING AND DASH, RADIO AND HVAC CONTROLS SATURATED WITH STANDING WATER IN CARPET ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NOTIFIED DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH "NO PROBLEM FOUND" ON 5 OCCASIONS. DEALER FINALLY REPLACED WINDSHIELD AGAIN AND CLAIMED NO MORE WINDSHIELD REPAIRS WOULD BE PERFORMED. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE IN RAIN AS WATER RUNS FREELY OFF THE HEADLINER, WHICH HAS SEPARATED AND IS HANGING FROM IT'S BACKING. CURRENTLY UNDER REPAIR AT A REPUTABLE BODY SHOP. WEB POSTINGS INDICATE WATER INTRUSION DUE TO SUNROOF AND PILLAR DRAIN BLOCKAGE AND BAD SUNROOF SEALS ARE A CONSTANT ISSUE. ALSO GETTING SATURATED CARPET ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DURING DRY, HOT WEATHER. CLEARLY AC CONDENSATE ISSUES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10203029
Incident
Mar 17, 1997
Mileage
51,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 30, 2006

I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ACTION B156 FROM LAND ROVER OF NORTH AMERICA FOR FUEL TANK CRACKING. I CONTACTED THEM AT THE 800 NUMBER PROVIDED AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO EITHER A DEALERSHIP IN PORTLAND OREGON OR RENO NEVADA TO HAVE THE TANK CHANGED. I TOLD THEM THAT EITHER ONE OF THEM ARE NEARLY THREE HUNDRED MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE AND THAT WE HAVE A FORD DEALERSHIP RIGHT HERE IN MY TOWN. (FORD OWNS LAND ROVER ) WHY CANT THEY BE AUTHORIZED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT OR PAY ME FOR THE COST OF TRAVEL, FOOD AND MOTELS. WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO ? *JB

NHTSA ID
10158553
Incident
May 30, 2006
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 22, 2005
Crash reported

1997 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW WHILE CHANGING LANES. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A MEDIAN. THE BLOWOUT WAS A RESULT FROM THE IMPACT WITH THE MEDIAN. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS TOLD THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT RIGHT BEFORE HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10147532
Incident
May 7, 2005
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 20, 2004

SURGING AT FULLY CLOSED THROTTLE ACCOMPANIED BY ABS FAILURE IS A REAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER. PRM CHIP REPLACEMENT TO FIX THE SURGE PROBLEM SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. MY 1997 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY WOULD NOT STOP AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR BECAUSE THE RPMS SURGED ON THE VEHICLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE DUE TO LACK OF BRAKES AND AN ELEVATED RPM LEVEL. THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC DEFECT THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION DUE TO THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AND THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT RPM SURGING AT FULLY CLOSED THROTTLE REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF A REVISED CHIP TO REMEDY THIS. THIS VEHICLE IS OF NO USE TO ME BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND THUS UNSUITABLE FOR ROAD USE. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING CONTACTING OTHER SOURCES/MEDIA OUTLETS TO INVESTIGATE THIS COMMON PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ID
10082255
Incident
Jul 4, 2004
Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2004

LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED, RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKEN IN 2! CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOTH DIAGNOSED AS CRACKED - I REPLACED WORSE OF 2 THEN BETTER ONE BROKE. ENGINE BLOCK ALUMINUM - CREEP/FATIGUE FAILURE DUE TO THERMAL EXPANSION RATES OF MANIFOLD VERSUS BLOCK SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I BELIEVE WARRANTS A RECALL - ESPECIALLY IN CA WITH TIGHT SMOG LIMITS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10078636
Incident
Jun 18, 2004
Mileage
65,000 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."

LTB00389NAS3

EQUIPMENT

Technical Bulletin: Squeaks & Rattles Kit Availability

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."

112

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

A NUMBER OF RIGHT HAND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ON 1997 AND 1998 MY VEHICLES THAT ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CRACKING. SERVICE ACTION EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT. *TT

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
1997Viewing352056.8
1996653155.1
1995494056.5
1994152053.4
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.