1997 Land Rover Discovery
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 15 |
| 1995 | 49 |
| 1996 | 65 |
| 1997 | 35 |
| 1998 | 33 |
| 1999 | 17 |
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 48 |
| 2004 | 29 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 54 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 38 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
37% of complaints: service brakes — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120527
17% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH COMING TO INTERSECTION ,150-200 YARDS AWAY , LIGHT TURNED RED, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. STOOD ON BRAKES, NOTHING HAPPENED, HIT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 19971103
Also filed under SEAT BELTS
14% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20031210
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED THE LOUD NOISE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20031210
11% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.
11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing storage and delivery.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 98V040000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FO
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 AMERI
Campaign 12E010000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 Land Rover Discovery — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V040000 (air bags, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12E010000 (power train) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1997 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Land Rover Discovery is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Land Rover Discovery?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Land Rover Discovery have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.