LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER · model year

1996 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

50 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996LAND ROVERRANGE ROVER carries 50 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 8 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 1996 RANGE ROVER is engine and engine cooling:engine with 5 filings, followed by electrical system:wiring:front underhood (3) and unknown or other (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 2 investigation files overlapping the 1996 RANGE ROVER. 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.

50
Complaints
0
Crashes
8
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

50 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
SUSPENSION3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
SUSPENSION:FRONT2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1

Recent Complaints

20180316ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE, POURED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE RADIATOR, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND FAN CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

Mileage: 152,000

20090520ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

COOLING SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 164,000

20061226VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED HAS 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH AUTO GLASS REPAIR AND HE FELT THAT ALL LAND ROVER DOOR WINDOWS WERE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED. THE REASON WHY THE WINDOWS WEREIMPROPERLY DESIGNEDWAS BECAUSE THE MEDAL WAS TOO THIN AND THERE WAS TOO MUCH STRESS ON THE WINDOWS. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

20060407FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON APRIL 6 2006 AT 1:30 AM I PULLED INTO MY PARKING SPACE. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. MY BOYFRIEND TO TAKE A LOOK. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD THERE WAS A FIRE. WE TIRED TO PUT IT OUT BUT HAD NO SUCCESS SO A RESIDENT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME TO CONTROL THE FIRE. UNTIL NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSE THE FIRE. AS I WAS CHECKING ON SAFETY RECALLS WE CAME ACROSS THIS WEB SITE AND READ UP ON A RECALL CAMPAIGN-(COOLANT SYSTEM DURABILITY 1995 TO 1999 MY LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER). IF THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE TO MY VEHICLE SHOULDN'T (LAND ROVER) BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DAMAGE? LOOKING FOR TO HEARING FROM YOU AND SETTLING THIS MATTER. SINCERELY YOURS. *JB

Mileage: 156,000

20040505SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

FRONT DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. DETERMINED TO BE A BROKEN STALK ASSEMBLY. REPLACED AT LAND ROVER DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $283.*AK

20040428SUSPENSION

EAS FAULT; HAD IN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS. ALWAYS FAILS AGAIN WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. SPENT OVER $2500 ON IT SO FAR. MOST RECENT FAILURE NOV 03; FIRST FAILURE MAY 02

Mileage: 56,000

20030526LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DRIVER DOOR IS LOCKED, ALL THE DOORS OPEN BUT THE DRIVER'S DOES NOT ,REGARDLESS UNLOCKING IT WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR THE MANUAL KEY TURNING. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!. *NLM

20020509FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

RECALL 98 V 149 000/UNDERHOOD FIRE: SHORTLY AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CRACKED ENGINE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20020509FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

RECALL 98 V 149 000/UNDERHOOD FIRE: SHORTLY AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CRACKED ENGINE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20010816SUSPENSION:FRONT

THESE COMPONENTS ALL FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERESTATE, PUTTING ME AND MY PASSENGER IN DANGER. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT FEEL THAT IT IS RESPONCIBLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THEY CLIAM THAT IT IS VERY COMMON. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY, CHRYSLER SERVICE CONTRACTS DOES NOT HAVE IT LISTED AS A DEFECT THEY COVER. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE COULD LOOK INTO THE COMPLAIN RECORD FOR THESE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND HELP ME TO FIND A RESOLUTION WITH LAND ROVER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.NO SAFETY DEFECT.

20010813SUSPENSION:FRONT

THESE COMPONENTS ALL FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERESTATE, PUTTING ME AND MY PASSENGER IN DANGER. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT FEEL THAT IT IS RESPONCIBLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THEY CLIAM THAT IT IS VERY COMMON. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY, CHRYSLER SERVICE CONTRACTS DOES NOT HAVE IT LISTED AS A DEFECT THEY COVER. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE COULD LOOK INTO THE COMPLAIN RECORD FOR THESE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND HELP ME TO FIND A RESOLUTION WITH LAND ROVER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.NO SAFETY DEFECT.

20010307FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE TO LEFT OR RIGHT, AND COULD SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. THEN, PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE THEN, HAD TO BE TOWED.*AK

20010306SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION FAILED. NLM

20001120FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING, AIR CONDITIONER SUDDENLY CUT OFF, SMOKE COMING FROM THE GLOVE BOX FILLED THE CABIN, THE HOOD WAS LIFTED AND THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE, ENGINE IGNITED AND FRONT END MELETED TO THE GROUND, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, FIRE DEPARTMENT FELT IT WAS DEFINATELY NOT THE FUEL LINE, HOWEVER THEY DID SMELL GAS. *SLC

20000831LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DOOR LOCKS WHEN THE-WHEN THE SERVO MOTOR FOR THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED IT FAILED IN THE DEAD BOLT LOCKED POSITION.

20000822STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK AND CAN ONLY BE OPENED BY REMOVING THE DOOR PANEL AND REMOVING THE DEAD BOLT MECHANISM. THE CAR CAN NOT BE OPENED BY KEY OR SWITCH, IF YOU ARE IN THE CAR AND THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCK YOU MUST BREAK A WINDOW TO ESCAPE THE CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYS IT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU SHUT OFF THE KEY AND DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITHIN 8 SECONDS. MY KIDS DRIVE THAT CAR AND NOW MUST CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR AS THAT IS THE ONLY ONE THAT STILL OPENS. WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY GET INTO A MINOR OR MAJOR MISHAP AND THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. *AK

20000501ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED DEALER WHO TOLD CONSUMER TO BRING THE CAR IN. WAS ABOUT 4 MILES FROM HOME AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REGISTERED HOT. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, CALLED AAA AND HAD IT TOWED. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE NUMBER ONE ENGINE CYLINDER DROPPED INTO THE PISTON BECAUSE IT MOVED, ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO GET INTO THE ENGINE. *AK

20000501UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED DEALER WHO TOLD CONSUMER TO BRING THE CAR IN. WAS ABOUT 4 MILES FROM HOME AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REGISTERED HOT. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, CALLED AAA AND HAD IT TOWED. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE NUMBER ONE ENGINE CYLINDER DROPPED INTO THE PISTON BECAUSE IT MOVED, ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO GET INTO THE ENGINE. *AK

20000501ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED DEALER WHO TOLD CONSUMER TO BRING THE CAR IN. WAS ABOUT 4 MILES FROM HOME AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REGISTERED HOT. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, CALLED AAA AND HAD IT TOWED. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE NUMBER ONE ENGINE CYLINDER DROPPED INTO THE PISTON BECAUSE IT MOVED, ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO GET INTO THE ENGINE. *AK

20000321VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

REARVIEW MIRROW IS LIQUID FILLED WHICH IS DRYING UP/SAGGING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, A DISTORTED VISION. *AK

Compare 1996LAND ROVERRANGE ROVER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER have?
The 1996 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER has 50 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 8 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER?
The most-complained component for the 1996 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 1996 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 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.