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1998 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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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: 10 of 33 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

33 reports
124,000 miles · Apr 4, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFireInjury

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 VE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11193854

138,965 miles · Dec 15, 2013
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 SPLIN…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10556128

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2012
Air BagsCrashFireInjury

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 MENTION…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10465311

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2010
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/…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10334853

98,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 WER…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10325465

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10157102

72,000 miles · Jun 16, 2005
Service Brakes, Air

ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, ALMOST CAUSED MY SELF OR CHILDREN TO BE KILLED. 72,000 VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMACULATLY KEPT. TO REPLACEMENT PART IS $2000

NHTSA ODI #10125531

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2004
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

NHTSA ODI #10090381

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2004
Visibility

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR MIRRORS WERE LEAKING FLUID. THE MIRRORS HAD BLACK SPLOTCHES. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR MIRRORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073928

60,000 miles · May 19, 2004
Visibility

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

NHTSA ODI #10073922

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.