1998 Land Rover Discovery: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (13% 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 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2019
“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”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2013
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2010
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2010
“ABS system failure, almost caused my self or children to be killed. 72,000 vehicle has been imaculatly kept. To replacement part is $2000”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Jun 2005
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2004
“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”Owner report · Visibility · May 2004
“Non deployment of driver's airbag in frontal accident severe enough to distort vehicle's frame (1998 landrover discovery). *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2004
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1998 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Land Rover Discovery. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Land Rover Discovery problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,747 miles or less.
Does the 1998 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.