1997 Land Rover Discovery

Routine

Owners filed 35 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Land Rover Discovery years to avoid. Which Land Rover Discovery years to avoid →

Most common 1997 Land Rover Discovery problems

11 of the 35 complaints (31%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes10
200
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags4
400
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · engine3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage · fuel system2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine2
000
Visibility1
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · throttle and acceleration1
100
Tires1
100
Structure · body and frame1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft12E010000
Filed Mar 15, 2012180 vehiclesJaguar Land Rover North America, LLC

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.

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.

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.

Vehicle Speed Control98V040000
Filed Feb 24, 199854,488 vehiclesRover Group, Limited

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.

Risk. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING CAN CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSIBLE LINK WHICH WILL PROTECT THE ROTARY COUPLER FROM OVERHEATING.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed May 27, 201288,243 milesCT

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 25, 2008CA

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Apr 14, 2008TX

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

Structure
Filed Sep 14, 200751,000 milesKY

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed May 30, 2006OR

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

TiresCrash
Filed Dec 22, 2005NJ

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 20, 2004NC

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jun 22, 200465,000 milesCA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 10, 200365,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE NOISE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD HAD A HAIR LINE CRACK. A MANUFACTURER'S IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WAS ISSUED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS 1 DIGIT OFF, THUS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 10, 2003CA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED THE LOUD NOISE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2002GA

ONE CYLINDER BLEWOUT AND ALL 8 HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONS IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING IN THE CAR ,INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 7, 2002FL

BRAKES FREQUENTLY FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE AT SPEEDS UNDER 20MPH. DEALER STATED IT WAS A BAD ABS SENSOR ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $500.00 BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. I SEE FROM INTERNET POSTINGS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN '97 DISCOVERIES. THE REAL HAZARD IS THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MUCH FORCE IS APPLIED TO TE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. I SEE FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THIS SITE THAT A SUGGESTION IS TO DISCONNECT THEABS SYSTEM. IS THIS ACCEPTABLE TO THE NHTSA? HOW ABOUT A SAFTEY RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. INCLUDING ME.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 13, 2002OH

IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THESE SENSORS IN WORKING CONDITION FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET NEWSGROUPS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS ALL 97 DISCOVERY. THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED ADVICE IS TO DISCONNECT THE ABS BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER WORK. IN MY OPINION, IF WE HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED ADVICE IS TO DISCONNECT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS A PROBLEM.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 5, 2002TX

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED APPLIES BRAKES AND VEHICLE DOES NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, MECHANIC STATES ABS SYSTEM SENSORS ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKES CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 27, 2002MI

CONSUMER STATED SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER DASH ON DRIVER SIDE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. INVESTIGATOR INDICATED WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. NLM

Visibility
Filed Oct 3, 2001PA

REAR VIEW MIRROR MALFUNCTIONING AS THERE IS A LARGE BUBBLE THAT KEEPS MOVING AROUND IN THE MIRROR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 11, 2001MI

AT LOW RATES OF SPEED, IN DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. ON MANY OCCASIONS, SOON AFTER STARTING TO DRIVE IN A FORWARD GEAR, NOT YET IN REVERSE (USUALLY ON A WARM MOTOR, AFTER A SHORT TIME NOT RUNNING) THE BRAKES FAIL TO ENGAGE FULLY AND THE VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP. THE DRIVER CAN LITERALLY STAND ON THE PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS ONLY SLIGHTLY. IT HAS ALWAYS OCCURRED AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 16, 2001CA

WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP ABS SYSTEM WOULD LOCK UP WHEELS. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR AND FEEL MUSHY. THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 20 OR MORE TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. MECHANIC INDICATED EITHER HAND CABLE/ BRAKE CABLE, "T"BOX OR BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SOME TYPE OF ENLARGEMENT DURING HEAT. PROBLEM WOULD ALWAYS RETURN. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Apr 30, 2001MA

FUEL LINE IS RUBBING AGAINST FRAME OF VEHICLE, CREATING SEVERAL HOLES IN FUEL LINE, AND CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Mar 17, 2001MA

THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY BUCKING AND HESITATING WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 35MPH. AFTER PULLING INTO BREAKDOWN LANE CAR WAS TOWED TO LANDROVER OF HANOVER (MA). THEY REPORTED THAT THE TRANSFER BOX "SPLIT IN HALF" CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE QUOTE RECEIVED AT THAT TIME WAS $14,000. NOT TRUSTING THAT DEALER, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO LAND ROVER METROWEST (MA). THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER BOX AND REPORTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE OK. 2 WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. METROWEST THEN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSFER BOX AND TRANSMISSION. THE COST WAS UPWARDS OF $5,000 WITH A USED TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER BOX. THE VEHICLES WARRANTY RAN UP IN AUGUST OF 2000. 5 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DAMAGE. I REQUESTED A GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS DECLINED. IN ADDITION, ON 6/5/00 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO LAND ROVER HANOVER FOR A RECALL ITEM O2 SENSOR. AT THAT TIME IT WAS FOUND THAT A TRANSFER BOX MOUNT STUD WAS RUSTED (WHILE UNDER WARRANTY). THE DEALER NEVER NOTIFIED ME WHEN THE PART CAME IN AND ONLY MENTIONED IN PASSING THAT THE PART WAS RUSTED AT ALL. IT IS MY FEELING THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED REPAIRS AND PARTS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY THE MANUFACTURER. FURTHERMORE, ON MARCH 9, 2001 THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A UTILITY POLE AT 25-35 MPH. NEITHER THE DRIVER'S NOR PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR THE SEATBELT, THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE SUST

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 27, 2000MD

ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT LOW SPEED AFTER REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE WHILE TRAVELING FORWARD AT RANDOM TIMES. FULL PEDAL FORCE IS REQUIRED TO STOP VEHICLE SPEEDS 10-20 MPH THEN CONDITION CLEARS FOR HOURS OR DAYS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 17, 2000MA

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, DASHBOARD WENT BLANK WHILE DRIVING LOSING ALL POWER, DEALER FOUND THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM HAD FAILED, CAUSING IT TO CUT THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEN AFTER HAPPENING AGAIN DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CASUED BY A DEFECTIVE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR.

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Aug 16, 2000VA

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON PAVEMENT ROAD WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE STARTED BEEPING. HE PULLED OVER AND LADY IN THE OTHER VEHICLE TOLD HIM THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT VEHICLE WAS BURNING TO A CRISP. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash
Filed Jul 14, 2000PA

FRONTAL COLLISION AT 50MPH AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLY. IF NOT FOR SEAT BELTS, CRASH WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed May 23, 2000CA

ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO PRESS BRAKE PEDEAL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AT TIMES, IS ALSO PRESSED. THIS DEFECT HAS CAUSED CONSUMER TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. *AK *ML

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Jan 24, 2000MI

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED SOMETIMES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, AND SOMETIME IT'S HARD. BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND IN SOME SITUATIONS. ALSO, THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT ACTIVATES, BUT IT DOES NOT RESPOND. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 8, 1999CA

TRANSMISSION SEAL.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed May 20, 1999SC

THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON AT 40MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER INSISTS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 11, 1999MO

VEHICLE FROM A STANDSTILL WAS PUT IN REVERSE GEAR, WHILE THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED ATTEMPTED TO BACK THE VEHICLE UP, THE TRUCK ACCELARATED AT AN HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN REVERSE GEAR ON ITS OWN.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 4, 1999MO

WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND TAKE OFF IN REVERSE GEAR. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS TURNING THE IGNITION OFF.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 27, 1998AZ

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE WHICH CAUSED A FRONTAL IMPACT. BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 8, 1998AL

DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Nov 12, 1997AZ

WHILE APPLYING ABS BRAKES THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHICH WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 40 MPH, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO FLOOR OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Nov 3, 1997AZ

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH COMING TO INTERSECTION ,150-200 YARDS AWAY , LIGHT TURNED RED, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. STOOD ON BRAKES, NOTHING HAPPENED, HIT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELT WAS WORN. THIS DEFECT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. 820963 DUPLICATE OF 818194, POSTED ON 03-NOV-98. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 3, 1997TX

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HIT A BUMP. APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD. *AK

All 35 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261100Routine
20250200Routine
20248510Routine
20237600Routine
202211600Routine
202111600Routine
202019601Fatalities reported
201939400Routine
201837400Routine
201755310Routine
20165000Routine
20062000Routine
200429020Routine
200348120Routine
200217030Routine
200113110Routine
200030120Routine
199917310Routine
199833240Routine
1997 — this page35220Routine
199665300Routine
199549463Fatalities reported
199415210Routine

Compare every Discovery year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 15, 2012. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.