1997 Land Rover Discovery: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 35 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (29% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2012
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2008
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2006
“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”Owner report · Tires · May 2005
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2004
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2003
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2001
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2000
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSIBLE LINK WHICH WILL PROTECT THE ROTARY COUPLER FROM OVERHEATING.
How other years compare
Check your exact Discovery 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 1997 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Land Rover Discovery. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Land Rover Discovery problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Land Rover Discovery have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:driveline:driveshaft. 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.