1998 Land Rover Range Rover Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Land Rover Range Rover, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system520.0%
- Suspension416.0%
- Engine312.0%
- Visibility312.0%
- Steering28.0%
- Brakes28.0%
- Electrical28.0%
- Airbags28.0%
- Transmission14.0%
- Tires & wheels14.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
GAS TANK OUT OF ORDER. YH
GASOLINE GAUGE HAS NEVER WORKED. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LIFTS UP. THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL. THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR AND TWO SENSORS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. DURING THIS PROCESS THE VEHICLE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *AK
FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, TWO POPPING SOUNDS WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OF A HEAT SOURCE WITHIN THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS OF DECEMBER 18, 2007, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000. UPDATED 01-23-08. *KB UPDATED 01/23/08 *TR
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 1998, LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 4.6 HSE (VIN# [XXX]) FROM FRANKEL LAND ROVER HUNT VALLEY ON SEPTEMBER, 06, 2002. WE PURCHASED THE RANGE ROVER LAND ROVER CERTIFIED, WHICH CAME WITH A 12-MONTH/ 12,000 MILE WARRANTY AFTER ADDITIONAL INSPECTION WORK WAS DONE ABOVE AND BEYOND A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION. AFTER HAVING THE RANGE ROVER FOR NEARLY FIVE MONTHS, IT INCURRED MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE RANGE ROVER BROKE DOWN TWICE WITHIN A WEEK. BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF EACH INCIDENT. INCIDENT #1 FEBRUARY 5, 2003 AT ABOUT 8PM I WAS DRIVING THE RANGE ROVER, HEADING HOME WHEN THE FIRST PROBLEMS AROUSE. THE RANGE ROVER WAS OVER HEATING. I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ HOT. THEN THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. WHEN I PULLED OVER, I NOTICED THE RANGE ROVER STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I THEN GOT OUT OF THE RANGE ROVER AND NOTICED SOMETHING WAS DRIPPING UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK. THE RANGE ROVER WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS ASSESSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS SERVICE WAS COMPLETED 2/10/03. INCIDENT #2 FEBRUARY 15, 2003 AT ABOUT 2PM MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE RANGE ROVER TO WORK. WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED THE RANGE ROVER STARTED TO ACT FUNNY. AT WHICH TIME HE NOTIFIED ME TO SEE IF IT WAS THE SAME THING THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE TRUCK BROKE DOWN THE FIRST TIME AS HE WAS PULLING OVER, THE RANGE ROVER SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 THE RANGE ROVER WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED FOR OUR PERMISSION TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART SO THAT THE WARRANTY ADJUSTER FOR APCO, [XXX], COULD ASSESS THE DAMAGE. [XXX] MADE HIS ASSESSMENT AND THEN CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE DAMAGE WAS OUR FAULT. IT WAS SAID THAT MY HUSBAND DIDN'T PULL OVER FAST ENOUGH. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY THE COST FOR THE ENTIRE ENGINE, BUT WILL OFFER A CONTRIBUTION, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT DO. SINCERELY,[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 RANGE ROVER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE NOTICED THAT STEAM SUDDENLY STARTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS WHICH DISTORTED THE DRIVERS VISION. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE O RING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115000. UPDATED 12/07/09 *BF UPDATED 12/09/09.*JB
I OWN A 1998 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER AND THE SELF DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR IS FAULTY. THERE IS A STRONG RING OR HALO DEVELOPING ON THE GLASS THAT IS MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE AUTO DIM FEATURE THAT HEATS UP THE SPECIAL GLASS TO AUTO DIM. ANYWAY, I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AT 1-800-637-6837 OPT 9 EXT 2949 AND TALKED WITH A HEATHER. (THE CONVERSATION WAS SUPPOSEDLY RECORDED). SHE TOLD ME THAT LAND ROVER DOESN'T SEE WHY THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND THAT THEY WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE "THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE AND I THINK THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. LAND ROVER MAKES THE REPLACEMENT SO EXPENSIVE, THAT AN OBVIOUS SOLUTION IS TOO COSTLY FOR THE AVERAGE DRIVER.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 1998, LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 4.6 HSE (VIN# [XXX]) FROM FRANKEL LAND ROVER HUNT VALLEY ON SEPTEMBER, 06, 2002. WE PURCHASED THE RANGE ROVER LAND ROVER CERTIFIED, WHICH CAME WITH A 12-MONTH/ 12,000 MILE WARRANTY AFTER ADDITIONAL INSPECTION WORK WAS DONE ABOVE AND BEYOND A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION. AFTER HAVING THE RANGE ROVER FOR NEARLY FIVE MONTHS, IT INCURRED MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE RANGE ROVER BROKE DOWN TWICE WITHIN A WEEK. BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF EACH INCIDENT. INCIDENT #1 FEBRUARY 5, 2003 AT ABOUT 8PM I WAS DRIVING THE RANGE ROVER, HEADING HOME WHEN THE FIRST PROBLEMS AROUSE. THE RANGE ROVER WAS OVER HEATING. I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ HOT. THEN THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. WHEN I PULLED OVER, I NOTICED THE RANGE ROVER STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I THEN GOT OUT OF THE RANGE ROVER AND NOTICED SOMETHING WAS DRIPPING UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK. THE RANGE ROVER WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS ASSESSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS SERVICE WAS COMPLETED 2/10/03. INCIDENT #2 FEBRUARY 15, 2003 AT ABOUT 2PM MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE RANGE ROVER TO WORK. WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED THE RANGE ROVER STARTED TO ACT FUNNY. AT WHICH TIME HE NOTIFIED ME TO SEE IF IT WAS THE SAME THING THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE TRUCK BROKE DOWN THE FIRST TIME AS HE WAS PULLING OVER, THE RANGE ROVER SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 THE RANGE ROVER WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED FOR OUR PERMISSION TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART SO THAT THE WARRANTY ADJUSTER FOR APCO, [XXX], COULD ASSESS THE DAMAGE. [XXX] MADE HIS ASSESSMENT AND THEN CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE DAMAGE WAS OUR FAULT. IT WAS SAID THAT MY HUSBAND DIDN'T PULL OVER FAST ENOUGH. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY THE COST FOR THE ENTIRE ENGINE, BUT WILL OFFER A CONTRIBUTION, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT DO. SINCERELY,[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHEN DRIVING AT 10--15 MPH AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RESULTING IN VEHICLE HITTING AN EMBANKMENT.ALSO, ALL POWER STEERING FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
WHILE DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT AND UPON APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP, BRAKES FAIL TO RESPOND, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH A FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT; REASON UNKNOWN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION AT THIS TIME.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR UNDERHOOD FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
NAR 03/03/2003. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE ENTERED HIS LANE. THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 50-60 MPH AND WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSFER CASE IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .