1998 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
- 33
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
18% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 33 complaints
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 | 55 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 38 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
18% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing interior/under dash and alternator/generator/regulator.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-04
Also filed under Engine
The engine caught on fire. *jb there was an electrical fire in the driver side dash. The consumer smelled smoke, then viewed light gray smoke and flames coming out of the dashboard below the steering column.…
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-08
Steering
15% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing tie rod assembly and power steering fluid.
Show complaint excerpts
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning, tie rod collapsed and caused an accident.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-12
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-15
Service brakes
15% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Seat belts
12% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing webbing and anchorage.
Air bags
12% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-11
Non deployment of driver's airbag in frontal accident severe enough to distort vehicle's frame (1998 landrover Discovery).
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-02
Safety timeline
2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
1998-03-24Air bags, vehicle speed control98V040000 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.
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R
2012-05-04Power train12E010000 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…
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…
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Land Rover Discovery — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 6 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 5 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 5 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 98V040000 · Air bags, vehicle speed control
- Recall 12E010000 · Power train
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Land Rover Discovery is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Land Rover Discovery?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Land Rover Discovery have?
- 2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.