Total Complaints
44 filings
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY · model year
1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
44 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998LAND ROVERDISCOVERY carries 44 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 5 fires, 16 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 1998 DISCOVERY is seat belts:front:webbing with 3 filings, followed by electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash (3) and unknown or other (2). 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 1998 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.
44
Complaints
9
Crashes
5
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20190404FireENGINE
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.
Mileage: 124,000
20190404FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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.
Mileage: 124,000
20131215STEERING
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
Mileage: 138,965
20120711CrashFireAIR BAGS
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.
20100603UNKNOWN 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 06/08/10.*JB
20100413CrashSTEERING
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
Mileage: 98,000
20100413CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Mileage: 98,000
20100413CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
Mileage: 98,000
20060509SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS. *JB
20050616SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, ALMOST CAUSED MY SELF OR CHILDREN TO BE KILLED. 72,000 VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMACULATLY KEPT. TO REPLACEMENT PART IS $2000
Mileage: 72,000
20040903ENGINE 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
20040519VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
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
Mileage: 60,000
20040519VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
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
20040415CrashAIR BAGS
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CLIPPED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, FORCING IT INTO A GUARD RAIL, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
Mileage: 58,000
20040402CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NON DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN FRONTAL ACCIDENT SEVERE ENOUGH TO DISTORT VEHICLE'S FRAME (1998 LANDROVER DISCOVERY). *JB
Mileage: 75,494
20031217ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASHLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
Mileage: 80,000
20031217ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DASHLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
Mileage: 80,000
20031217EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
DASHLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
Mileage: 80,000
20030822SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT RIGHT TIRE WOULD SHAKE AND WIGGLE WHEN DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
20030822POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
PURCHASED A 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY LSE WITH 79000 MILES IN JANUARY 2003 AND 7 MONTHS LATER THE FRONT U-JOINT FAILED, BENDING THE DRIVESHAFT AND DAMAGED CASE ON TRANSMISSION WHILE TRAVELING FROM IN ON VACATION TO TNENNESSE. *AK
Mileage: 88,350
Compare 1998LAND ROVERDISCOVERY to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY have?▼
The 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY has 44 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 5 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
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.