Model year record

1998 Land Rover Discovery recalls & problems

The 1998 Land Rover Discovery has 2 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (6 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints33filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainMar 15, 2012

Driveline › Driveshaft

Recall 12E010000180 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 controlFeb 24, 1998

Vehicle speed control

Recall 98V04000054,488 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSIBLE LINK WHICH WILL PROTECT THE ROTARY COUPLER FROM OVERHEATING.

Components: Vehicle speed control; Air bags › Frontal

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Discovery

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel

Discovery

13mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 15 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $6,300/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; 12v/24v/48v battery	6	0	2	1	80,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid; Steering wheel/handle bar	5	2	0	3	98,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Webbing; Front › Anchorage	5	0	0	0	—
Power trainDriveline; Driveline › Universal joint	4	0	0	0	88,350 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light	4	1	0	3	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	4	1	4	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	2	0	0	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Delivery › Fuel pump	2	0	0	0	—
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices	2	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	1	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Bumpers	1	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

EngineFire1 injury
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.
Mar 30, 2019 · 124,000 miles
Steering
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
Dec 9, 2013 · 138,965 miles
Air bagsCrashFire3 injuries
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.
Jun 27, 2012
Unknown or other
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
Jun 3, 2010
SteeringCrash3 injuries
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
Apr 10, 2010 · 98,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light
ABS. *JB
Apr 15, 2006
Service brakes, air › Antilock › Control unit/module
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, ALMOST CAUSED MY SELF OR CHILDREN TO BE KILLED. 72,000 VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMACULATLY KEPT. TO REPLACEMENT PART IS $2000
Jun 10, 2005 · 72,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
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
Sep 3, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.