1997 Land Rover Discovery Problems
- Complaints
- 35filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 14 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 12 city / 16 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Land Rover Discovery (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 1997 Land Rover Discovery. The part named most often is brakes, with 13 complaints (37% of the total), followed by air bags (6) and engine cooling (5). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes13 37%
- Air bags6 17%
- Engine cooling5 14%
- Fuel system4 11%
- Vehicle speed control3 8.6%
- Electrical system2 5.7%
- Seat belts1 2.9%
- Body and structure1 2.9%
- Tires1 2.9%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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. Upon researching problem found it to be common in 97 Discovery. Also found most people have wound ip removing ABS fuse due to problem recurring even after repair. Should have been a recall many years ago. Land rover needs to take responsibility and fix the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10459794, filed 2012-05, 88,243 milesAir bags: “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. Seat belt was worn. This defect resulted in an accident, and could have caused injuries. 820963 duplicate of 818194, posted on 03-nov-98.”
NHTSA complaint #818194, filed 1997-11Engine cooling: “Left exhaust manifold cracked, right exhaust manifold broken in 2! Cast iron exhaust manifold both diagnosed as cracked - I replaced worse of 2 then better one broke. Engine block aluminum - creep/fatigue failure due to thermal expansion rates of manifold versus block should be investigated. I believe warrants a recall - especially in ca with tight smog limits.”
NHTSA complaint #10078636, filed 2004-06, 65,000 milesFuel system: “Recently found out though NHTSA that Land Rover had a recall on my vehicle for fuel system , gasoline : storage (fuel tank) it seems a stress crack can develop in the plastic fuel tanks which may result in a fire . The remedy according to the report is fuel tank replacement. I contacted Land Rover they refused to honor the recall stating it dose not effect my vehicle when the report clearly says that it does. Please help me children ride in this vehicle. The NHTSA campaign id number is 4v203000. The vehicle is a 1997 Land Rover Discovery. Thank you james fowler”
NHTSA complaint #10224469, filed 2008-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 65,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Land Rover Discovery version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery 4WD/AWD | 4.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 14 | $5,850 |
| Discovery 4WD/AWD | 4.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 11 | 16 | 13 | $6,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V040000Feb 24, 1998Vehicle speed controlCovers: Land Rover Discovery 1994–1998, Range Rover 1995
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.
Recall details for the 1997 Land Rover Discovery → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10136669Mar 8, 2018Electrical system. The 'Service Required' warning text will not appear on the Instrument Cluster (IC) if a vehicle has reached its service point.
- 10125267Sep 14, 2017Equipment. Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call
- 10102683Oct 28, 2014Engine, Fuel system. "issue: reports have been received of engine damage occurring, which is caused by the use of non-approved engine induction / fuel injection cleaning equipment or materials. This includes, but is not…
- 10214018Nov 19, 2013Equipment. Technical Bulletin: Squeaks & Rattles Kit Availability
- 10100968Sep 23, 2013Equipment. "issue: this ssm has been released to address the high number of speaker assemblies returned, many of which are deemed as no fault found. Cause: incorrect diagnosis."
Other model years of the Land Rover Discovery
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | — | 5 | — | 21 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 7 | — | 6 | — | 21 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 11 | 76,000 | 6 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 11 | 108,029 | 6 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 19 | 41,508 | 6 | — | 18 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 39 | 53,000 | 4 | — | 18 | 48 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 37 | 14,144 | 4 | — | 18 | 59 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 55 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 18 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 5 | 30,700 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 29 | 76,688 | 0 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 48 | 73,000 | 1 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 17 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 13 | 83,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 30 | 87,000 | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 17 | 175,000 | 2 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 33 | 77,747 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 35 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 65 | 110,000 | 2 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 49 | 79,500 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1994 | 15 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
All Land Rover Discovery model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Land Rover Discovery have?
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 1997 Land Rover Discovery as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Land Rover Discovery is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 13 complaints (37% of the total), followed by air bags with 6.
Has the 1997 Land Rover Discovery been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Land Rover Discovery get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Land Rover Discovery (Discovery, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Land Rover Discovery reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 65,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.