1999 Land Rover Discovery II: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“" takata inflators" certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems," and no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." the anti-lock braking system (ABS) modulator valve cover retaining bolts can crack due to stresses transmitted by the flexing valve covers. The end result will leave cause a wreck for my kids and I. And with a possible law suit. The car is 17 yrs old. And is dangerous for me too drive. I need to take extra precaution because I have kids.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 land rover discovery ii. While driving at speeds over 70 mph, the vehicle would constantly vibrate excessively. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the front drive shaft would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The mechanic referred the contact to a drive shaft technician. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12e010000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 127,300.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 land rover discovery ii. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the drive shaft disconnected from the vehicle causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle momentarily. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road. The vehicle was then towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the entire drive shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 12e010000 (powertrain:driveline:driveshaft). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 106,589. Updated 3/11/13 *cn updated 03/19/13”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“My 1999 land rover discovery ii made a grinding noise and then a loud explosion sound while driving at 70 mph on the interstate. The front drive shaft fell off, busted the catalytic converter and ripped a hole in the fire wall and transmission case. Apparently this is a common problem with my year of land rover and nothing is being done to correct this dangerous problem. This is my daughters car and she is very fortunate that the drive shaft did not rip through the floor board or that another car behind her wasn't hit by the parts. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2010
“Auto accident which the car we were driving ran into the back of another car. Damage to our vehicle was high, medium and low on the front end. Total damage amount was $9100, totaling the car. The airbags did not deploy, resulting in injury to the passenger in the front seat. Since the car was totaled, there was nothing done to correct the lack of air bag deployment. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 land rover discovery ii. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact signaled to go left but the vehicle went right. The contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The passenger sprained her neck and back. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 114,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2008
“In nov of 2007, brakes failed at slow speeds causing a low speed crash, still expensive damage. ABS and tc lights came on. Fixed was told that it was failure of brake booster. Less than three thousand miles later happened again and now ABS, tc and downhill warning light is on. Is so common that it has a nickname. "the three amigos" you can search "three amigo's + landrover" on google and find hundreds of people who have had the same issue. When this happens ABS is not functioning and stopping is not normal. This is a huge concern and I believe is connected to the 2 brake recalls already. This needs be recalled and creates un-safe driving. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2007
“1999 landrover discover ii; owned car since new; fall 2007, traveling on highway, front drive shaft broke loose, damaged catalytic converter, transmission case; resulted in loss of control of vehicle, narrowly avoided accident; replace transmission and drive shaft--occurred at approximately 140,000 miles; front universal joints again showing wear, making noise at speed--plan to replace, but given experience with other vehicles; appears landrover has a design or quality problem with the front drive shaft/universal joint. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2007
“The vehicle has been driven daily back and forth to work with no major incident but the stopping distance has seemed to increase ABS, traction control and hill descent lights come on and turn off intermittently causing the ABS and traction control systems to work only when they want to the brakes are in good condition with more than half pad thickness. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20 mph there was a very loud popping and grinding sound. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed the driveshaft hanging down. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the double cardan joint that held the driveshaft fractured. The dealership has been informed.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LOADING CONDITIONS ON THE VEHICLE'S LEFT SIDE ENGINE IDLER PULLEY CAN EXCEED THE MAXIMUM CALCULATED FIGURE OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN SPECIFICATION. THE MATERIAL OF THE PULLEY CAN FRACTURE AND ULTIMATELY FAIL. FAILURE OF THE PULLEY MATERIAL CAN CAUSE THE PULLEY TO THROW OFF THE SERPENTINE BELT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED IDLER PULLEY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE). THE LOADING CONDITIONS ON THE VEHICLE'S LEFT SIDE ENGINE IDLER PULLEY CAN EXCEED THE MAXIMUM CALCULATED FIGURE OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN SPECIFICATION. THE MATERIAL OF THE PULLEY CAN FRACTURE AND ULTIMATELY FAIL. FAILURE OF THE PULLEY MATERIAL CAN CAUSE THE PULLEY TO THROW OFF THE SERPENTINE BELT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED IDLER PULLEY.
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.
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.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS," AND NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR VALVE COVER RETAINING BOLTS CAN CRACK DUE TO STRESSES TRANSMITTED BY THE FLEXING VALVE COVERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL STRENGTHEN THE ABS MODULATOR ASSEMBLY VALVE COVERS AND REPLACE THE RETAINING BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXEPCTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR CAN CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THE SENSOR SIGNAL, RESULTING IN INAPPROPRIATE ABS ACTIVATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-301-731-9040.
ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE COULD HAVE BECOME KINKED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN CHAFFING OF THE CABLE. CONTINUED CHAFFING CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE INTERIOR CABLE STRANDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DAMAGED CABLES WHERE NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-301-731-9040.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE). THE HIGH-PRESSURE HYDRAULIC PIPE THAT RUNS FROM THE ACE PUMP TO THE ACE VALVE BLOCK COULD FRACTURE AT ITS UNION WITH THE PUMP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW HYDRAULIC TUBING.
How other years compare
Check your exact Discovery II by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Land Rover Discovery II reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Land Rover Discovery II. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Land Rover Discovery II problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,090 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Land Rover Discovery II have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electronic stability control:automatic (asc). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.