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1997 Land Rover Discovery

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all Discovery years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 35 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

SURGING AT FULLY CLOSED THROTTLE ACCOMPANIED BY ABS FAILURE IS A REAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER. PRM CHIP REPLACEMENT TO FIX THE SURGE PROBLEM SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. MY 1997 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY WOULD NOT STOP AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR BECAUSE…

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SURGING AT FULLY CLOSED THROTTLE ACCOMPANIED BY ABS FAILURE IS A REAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER. PRM CHIP REPLACEMENT TO FIX THE SURGE PROBLEM SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. MY 1997 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY WOULD NOT STOP AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR BECAUSE THE RPMS SURGED ON THE VEHICLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE DUE TO LACK OF BRAKES AND AN ELEVATED RPM LEVEL. THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC DEFECT THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION DUE TO THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AND THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT RPM SURGING AT FULLY CLOSED THROTTLE REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF A REVISED CHIP TO REMEDY THIS. THIS VEHICLE IS OF NO USE TO ME BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND THUS UNSUITABLE FOR ROAD USE. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING CONTACTING OTHER SOURCES/MEDIA OUTLETS TO INVESTIGATE THIS COMMON PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10082255

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES FREQUENTLY FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE AT SPEEDS UNDER 20MPH. DEALER STATED IT WAS A BAD ABS SENSOR ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $500.00 BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. I SEE FROM INTERNET POSTINGS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN '97 DISCOVERIES. THE REAL HAZARD IS THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MUCH FORCE IS APPLIED TO T…

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BRAKES FREQUENTLY FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE AT SPEEDS UNDER 20MPH. DEALER STATED IT WAS A BAD ABS SENSOR ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $500.00 BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. I SEE FROM INTERNET POSTINGS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN '97 DISCOVERIES. THE REAL HAZARD IS THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MUCH FORCE IS APPLIED TO TE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. I SEE FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THIS SITE THAT A SUGGESTION IS TO DISCONNECT THEABS SYSTEM. IS THIS ACCEPTABLE TO THE NHTSA? HOW ABOUT A SAFTEY RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. INCLUDING ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763897

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THESE SENSORS IN WORKING CONDITION FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET NEWSGROUPS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS ALL 97 DISCOVERY. THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED ADVICE IS TO DISCONNECT THE ABS BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER WORK. IN MY OPINION, IF WE HAVE REACHED THE POIN…

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IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THESE SENSORS IN WORKING CONDITION FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET NEWSGROUPS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS ALL 97 DISCOVERY. THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED ADVICE IS TO DISCONNECT THE ABS BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER WORK. IN MY OPINION, IF WE HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED ADVICE IS TO DISCONNECT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #763056

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED APPLIES BRAKES AND VEHICLE DOES NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, MECHANIC STATES ABS SYSTEM SENSORS ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKES CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8011087

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #752082

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP ABS SYSTEM WOULD LOCK UP WHEELS. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR AND FEEL MUSHY. THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 20 OR MORE TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. MECHANIC INDICATED EITHER HAND CABLE/ BRAKE CABLE, "T"BOX OR BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SO…

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WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP ABS SYSTEM WOULD LOCK UP WHEELS. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR AND FEEL MUSHY. THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 20 OR MORE TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. MECHANIC INDICATED EITHER HAND CABLE/ BRAKE CABLE, "T"BOX OR BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SOME TYPE OF ENLARGEMENT DURING HEAT. PROBLEM WOULD ALWAYS RETURN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #894552

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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

NHTSA ODI #735287

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, DASHBOARD WENT BLANK WHILE DRIVING LOSING ALL POWER, DEALER FOUND THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM HAD FAILED, CAUSING IT TO CUT THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEN AFTER HAPPENING AGAIN DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CASUED BY A DEFECTIVE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #553688

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED SOMETIMES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, AND SOMETIME IT'S HARD. BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND IN SOME SITUATIONS. ALSO, THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT ACTIVATES, BUT IT DOES NOT RESPOND. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855392

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1998
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE WHICH CAUSED A FRONTAL IMPACT. BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #820963

Official recalls

1

98V040000 · Air Bags:frontal; Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 24, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control

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.

Consequence: 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.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.