Total Complaints
41 filings
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY · model year
41 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997LAND ROVERDISCOVERY carries 41 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 DISCOVERY is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 11 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (5) and power train:automatic transmission (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1997 DISCOVERY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
41 filings
Crashes Reported
12 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 11 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 1 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
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. *TR
Mileage: 88,243
TWO YEARS AGO I REPLACED A FUEL TANK ON MY LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 1997 AT THE DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO AS A RESULT OF THE SAFETY RECALL ACTION B156 - FUEL TANK CRACKING. THE REPLACEMENT TANK IS EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM AS FOR THE INITIAL RECALL. IT LEAKS WHEN FULL AND NOTICEABLE FUEL ODOR CAN BE SMELLED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME AFTER I NOTIFIED THEM WITH THE RECENT PROBLEM, THAT THE REPLACEMENT TANK HAS ONLY ONE YEAR WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS WAS RECALLED AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE TANK AT THEIR COST. WHAT DO YOU ADVICE I TELL THEM NEXT FRIDAY WHEN I TAKE THE VEHICLE IN. *TR
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 *TR
1997 OFF-LEASE VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM LOUISVILLE LAND ROVER IN MARCH OF 2000. WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND MGR STATED I SHOULD ACCEPT VEHICLE AND FILE CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR REPLACEMENT. REFUSED DELIVERY UNTIL DEALER REPLACED WINDSHIELD. FIRST RAIN AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, VEHICLE HEADLINER DRIPPING AND DASH, RADIO AND HVAC CONTROLS SATURATED WITH STANDING WATER IN CARPET ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NOTIFIED DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH "NO PROBLEM FOUND" ON 5 OCCASIONS. DEALER FINALLY REPLACED WINDSHIELD AGAIN AND CLAIMED NO MORE WINDSHIELD REPAIRS WOULD BE PERFORMED. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE IN RAIN AS WATER RUNS FREELY OFF THE HEADLINER, WHICH HAS SEPARATED AND IS HANGING FROM IT'S BACKING. CURRENTLY UNDER REPAIR AT A REPUTABLE BODY SHOP. WEB POSTINGS INDICATE WATER INTRUSION DUE TO SUNROOF AND PILLAR DRAIN BLOCKAGE AND BAD SUNROOF SEALS ARE A CONSTANT ISSUE. ALSO GETTING SATURATED CARPET ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DURING DRY, HOT WEATHER. CLEARLY AC CONDENSATE ISSUES. *JB
Mileage: 51,000
I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ACTION B156 FROM LAND ROVER OF NORTH AMERICA FOR FUEL TANK CRACKING. I CONTACTED THEM AT THE 800 NUMBER PROVIDED AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO EITHER A DEALERSHIP IN PORTLAND OREGON OR RENO NEVADA TO HAVE THE TANK CHANGED. I TOLD THEM THAT EITHER ONE OF THEM ARE NEARLY THREE HUNDRED MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE AND THAT WE HAVE A FORD DEALERSHIP RIGHT HERE IN MY TOWN. (FORD OWNS LAND ROVER ) WHY CANT THEY BE AUTHORIZED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT OR PAY ME FOR THE COST OF TRAVEL, FOOD AND MOTELS. WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO ? *JB
1997 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW WHILE CHANGING LANES. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A MEDIAN. THE BLOWOUT WAS A RESULT FROM THE IMPACT WITH THE MEDIAN. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS TOLD THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT RIGHT BEFORE HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
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
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
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.*AK
Mileage: 65,000
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. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS 1 DIGIT OFF, THUS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. *AK
Mileage: 65,000
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
ONE CYLINDER BLEWOUT AND ALL 8 HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONS IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING IN THE CAR ,INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER. *AK
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
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.
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
CONSUMER STATED SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER DASH ON DRIVER SIDE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. INVESTIGATOR INDICATED WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. NLM
REAR VIEW MIRROR MALFUNCTIONING AS THERE IS A LARGE BUBBLE THAT KEEPS MOVING AROUND IN THE MIRROR
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
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
FUEL LINE IS RUBBING AGAINST FRAME OF VEHICLE, CREATING SEVERAL HOLES IN FUEL LINE, AND CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.