1998 Land Rover Discovery

Routine

Owners filed 33 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 2 times.

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

Most common 1998 Land Rover Discovery problems

4 of the 33 complaints (12%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices2
000
Steering2
103
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes2
000
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing2
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags2
201
Air Bags · airbags2
213
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Structure › Body › Bumpers · body and frame1
100
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly1
100

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
EngineFire1 injured
Filed Apr 4, 2019124,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND LEFT LEG WHILE JUMPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 15, 2013138,965 milesCA

I BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AS MY CAR CLEARED THE PARKING SPACE, I WAS TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL AS I BACKED OUT, I HEARD A CLICK AT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUDDENLY HAD NO STEERING WHATSOEVER. MY STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS FREE, EASILY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER CONTROLS THE FRONT TIRES. IT APPEARS THAT A SPLINED SHAFT COMING OUT OF THE STEERING BOX IS STRIPPED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT ANY STEERING CONTROL. HAVING JUST RECOVERED FROM STAGE 4 CANCER LAST YEAR AND WORKING ONLY 1/2 TIME (20 HOURS/WEEK), I HAVEN'T GOT THE MONEY TO PAY A MECHANIC TO FIX IT RIGHT NOW. *TR

Air BagsCrashFire3 injured
Filed Jul 11, 2012NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSIVE SPARK WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING TO IGNITE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE RIGHT HAND AND THE LEFT ARM BECAME BLISTERED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING AND ABRASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 3, 2010WV

1998 LANDROVER. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR DEFECTIVE VEHICLE*TGW SEE ODI # 10328525 CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER COMPLAINT REFERENCING A PROBLEM WITH HIS 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. UPDATED 06/04/10.*JB THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO CONTACT HIM TO SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/13/10. *JB UPDATED 06/08/10.*JB

SteeringCrash3 injured
Filed Apr 13, 201098,000 milesCA

OUR LAND ROVER DISCOVERY LOST STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL WHILE ON HIGHWAY 99 NB SOUTH OF THE TOULUMNE RD EXIT. WE WERE TRAVELING AT LOW HIGHWAY SPEED (50-60MPH) WHEN WE NOTICED THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN SWERVING LEFT AND RIGHT CAUSING THE BODY TO PITCH DRAMATICALLY WITH NO RESPONSE FROM STEERING, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WERE UNRESPONSIVE. THE DIRECTIONAL OCCASIONAL INCREASED WHILE WE TRAVELED APPROX ANOTHER 500 YARDS BEFORE WE HIT THE EDGE EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED OVER. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN IN THE OVERTURNED POSITION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed May 9, 2006NY

ABS. *JB

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Control Unit/Module
Filed Jun 16, 200572,000 milesNC

ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, ALMOST CAUSED MY SELF OR CHILDREN TO BE KILLED. 72,000 VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMACULATLY KEPT. TO REPLACEMENT PART IS $2000

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 3, 2004DC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed May 19, 200460,000 milesPA

REAR VIEW MIRROR BECAME DISTORTED. THE MIRROR BEGAN TO ACCUMULATE BLACK SPLOTCHES AND OPAQUE WITH WAVY LINES. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE MIRROR WAS THE CONSUMER'S PROBLEM. ALSO, CONSUMER TOUCHED THE BACK OF THE MIRROR, AND CAME BACK WITH A STICKY BLACK SUBSTANCE IN HIS EYE.*AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed May 19, 2004PA

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR MIRRORS WERE LEAKING FLUID. THE MIRRORS HAD BLACK SPLOTCHES. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR MIRRORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 15, 200458,000 milesNE

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CLIPPED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, FORCING IT INTO A GUARD RAIL, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 2, 200475,494 milesNC

NON DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN FRONTAL ACCIDENT SEVERE ENOUGH TO DISTORT VEHICLE'S FRAME (1998 LANDROVER DISCOVERY). *JB

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 200380,000 milesTX

DASHLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod AssemblyCrash
Filed Sep 15, 200357,615 milesCA

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, TIE ROD COLLAPSED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK *TS *JB

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 22, 2003IL

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT RIGHT TIRE WOULD SHAKE AND WIGGLE WHEN DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Power Train › Driveline › Universal Joint
Filed Aug 22, 200388,350 milesIN

PURCHASED A 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY LSE WITH 79000 MILES IN JANUARY 2003 AND 7 MONTHS LATER THE FRONT U-JOINT FAILED, BENDING THE DRIVESHAFT AND DAMAGED CASE ON TRANSMISSION WHILE TRAVELING FROM IN ON VACATION TO TNENNESSE. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Apr 8, 2003VA

THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DRIVER SIDE DASH. THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, THEN VIEWED LIGHT GRAY SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. SCC

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Aug 12, 2002MA

STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 7, 2002MO

WHILE DRIVING IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Jan 30, 2002NC

THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT ADJUSTER CONSISTS OF A KNOB AT THE PASSENGERS SHOULDER AND IT STICKS OUT ABOUT AN INCH, CONSUMER STATES THAT IF THE VEHICLE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT CAN BE THROWN FORWARD AND CUT BADLY ON THE ADJUSTER. *SLC

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed Nov 29, 2001TN

SEAT WARMER HAS BEEN IN USE FOR TEN MINUTES WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND A SMALL HOLE IN DRIVER'S SEAT. CONSUMER FELT THAT IF VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL CONSUMER COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Sep 26, 2001DC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 16, 2001NC

BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 18000 MILES. CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALE R SAID THAT BRAKES HAD TO BE INSPECTED EVERY 3000 MILES. BRAKE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO BAD OPERATION OF VEHICLE.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 25, 2001IL

WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY FROM AN INTERIOUR RAMP (NO SHOULDER) WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. WAITED IN LEFT LANE WITH FLASHERS ON AND SEAT BELT FASTENED UNTIL IDOT APPEARED (LAND ROVER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAD NOT YET ARRIVED) SINCE DISCOVERY'S CAN NOT BE TOWED, THE IDOT TRUCK HAD TO PUSH MY VEHICLE ACROSS SIX LANES OF TRAFFIC AND NORTH TWO MILES TO AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SITE. THE DEALER REPLACED MY FUEL PUMP. IN THE THREE MONTHS SINCE THEY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP, THE CAR HAS FAILED TWO MORE TIMES. EACH TIME THE FUEL PUMP IS CITED. NOW IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THREE WEEKS AS THEY AWAIT AN ADAPTER HARNESS FROM OVERSEAS. I HAVE ZERO FAITH IN THE AUTO. I AM AFRAID THAT MY CHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE INJURED WHEN THE CAR FAILS AGAIN. THE DEALER IS BEING DIFFICULT. HE OFFERED US $22, 600 FOR OUR CAR AND SAID WE COULD GET A DIFFERENT '98 WITH 2,000 MORE MILES THAN OUR S FOR $26,995! HE ACTUALLY IS THINKING I AM GOING TO LET HIM MAKE MONEY FROM THIS FRIGHTENING SITUATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 3, 2001TN

THE FIRST INCEDENT OCCURED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SENT THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE DITCH. THE MFG WAS CONTACTED AND I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO TN TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER THE SECOND INCEDENT OCCURED. THE SECOND INCEDENT OCCURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP AND MADE THE TRUCK UNCONTROLABLE IT TOOK BOTH LANES TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK UNDER CONTROL BEFORE IT STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IF I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD AHOLD OF THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE ROLLED OR IF ANY CARS WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed May 22, 2000CA

OWNER HAS ZERO CONFIDENCE IN PRODUCT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED 5 TIMES FOR NOT RUNNING, VEHICLE HAS ON;Y 30K MILES 1 1/2 YEARS OLD. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe1 injured
Filed Jan 22, 2000NY

WHILE ENTERING REAR OF VEHICLE A CHILD WAS BURNED BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE TAIL PIPE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Nov 19, 1999CA

THE DESIGN LOCATION OF THE ANCHOR POINTS OF THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS PROHIBITS THE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENTS). YH

Seat Belts
Filed Nov 17, 1999CA

THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS ARE ANCHORED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PRECLUDE THE SAFE INSTALLATION OF MORE THAN ONE CHILD RESTRAINT. AS WE ARE EXPECTING OUR SECOND CHILD IN SIX WEEKS, THIS IS A PARAMOUNT CONCERN. DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THIS WITH LAND ROVER, EITHER THROUGH RETROFITTING THE SEAT BELTS TO ACCOMODATE A CHILD RESTRAINT OR TO RELEASE US FROM OUR LEASE WITHOUT PENALTY SO THAT WE MAY PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE, THEY MAINTAIN THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. A GENTLEMAN TRAINED BY NHTSA INFORMED ME OF THIS PROBLEM AT A SAFETY INSPECTION. LAND ROVER HAS SUGGESTED THAT MY CHOICE OF CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT BEST SUITED TO THE DISCOVERY. THEY HAVE NOT INDICATED A RESTRAINT WITH BETTER SUITABILITY. FURTHERMORE, UPON RETURN TO THE NHTSA TRAINED FACILITY, I WAS TOLD THAT NO RESTRAINT CAN BE INSTALLED IN THE REAR OUT BOARD POSITION. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Nov 1, 1999MD

THE REAR SHOULDER BELTS ARE NOT PLACED CORRECTLY, SO THAT A CHILD SAFETY SEAT DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE PART WHERE THE SEATBELT IS MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE WHEEL BASE WHICH PLACES THE SEATBELT, IS TOO HIGH TO PUT A CSS. DLR SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *AK

Structure › Body › BumpersCrash
Filed May 4, 1999NY

WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH I HIT A STATIONARY CAR AND SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $1,000 OF DAMAGE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FRONT END ASSEMBLY SHOULD SUSTAIN NO DAMAGE, CERTAINLY NOT $1,000, WHEN TRAVELING AT THIS SPEED.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

BATTERY FAILED.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 4, 1998DC

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED TWICE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.

All 33 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
1998 — this page33240Routine
199735220Routine
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.