VehicleVerdict

1999 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1999 Land Rover Discovery Ii sits mid-pack among Discovery Ii years: 44 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 42, with 7 recalls and no defect investigations.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (36% of the total).

44

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Discovery Ii years?

Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted77 complaints1999: 44 complaints2000: 56 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 41 complaints2003: 77 complaints2004: 23 complaints
Discovery Ii NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery Ii years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Land Rover Discovery Ii problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1636%
Transmission818%
Airbags511%
Engine37%
Speed Control37%
Electrical System37%
Fuel System25%
Tires & Wheels12%
Body & Structure12%
Suspension12%
Seats12%

Does the 1999 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12E010000TransmissionMarch 15, 2012 · 180 units

Defect

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 FOR USE AS SERVICE PARTS FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995-1999 DISCOVERY, 1999-2004 DISCOVERY II, AND 1995 RANGE ROVER CLASSIC VEHICLES. SOME OF THE REAR DRIVESHAFT COUPLINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE REQUIRED ENGINEERING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXHIBIT THE ONSET OF JOINT SEPARATION, PRECLUDED BY DRIVE LINE VIBRATION.

Consequence

IF THIS INCREASED VIBRATION WARNING SIGN IS IGNORED, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVE COUPLING CAN OCCUR. THE DRIVESHAFT MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION RESULTING IN LOSS OF DRIVE AND LOSS OF TRANSMISSION PARK FUNCTIONALITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH AND/OR INJURY.

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 AMERICA AT 1-201-818-8500.

04V005000BrakesJanuary 6, 2004 · 100,174 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS," AND NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR VALVE COVER RETAINING BOLTS CAN CRACK DUE TO STRESSES TRANSMITTED BY THE FLEXING VALVE COVERS.

Consequence

THIS CAN PRODUCE AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR TOTAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING FUNCTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL STRENGTHEN THE ABS MODULATOR ASSEMBLY VALVE COVERS AND REPLACE THE RETAINING BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXEPCTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

02V028000Speed ControlJanuary 23, 2002 · 64,925 units

Defect

ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE COULD HAVE BECOME KINKED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN CHAFFING OF THE CABLE. CONTINUED CHAFFING CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE INTERIOR CABLE STRANDS.

Consequence

BREAKAGE OF THE CABLE STRANDS CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE BEING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DAMAGED CABLES WHERE NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-301-731-9040.

02V022000BrakesJanuary 22, 2002 · 55,505 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR CAN CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THE SENSOR SIGNAL, RESULTING IN INAPPROPRIATE ABS ACTIVATION.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE THAT IS UNANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-301-731-9040.

00V142001Electrical SystemOctober 16, 2000 · 36,911 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LOADING CONDITIONS ON THE VEHICLE'S LEFT SIDE ENGINE IDLER PULLEY CAN EXCEED THE MAXIMUM CALCULATED FIGURE OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN SPECIFICATION. THE MATERIAL OF THE PULLEY CAN FRACTURE AND ULTIMATELY FAIL. FAILURE OF THE PULLEY MATERIAL CAN CAUSE THE PULLEY TO THROW OFF THE SERPENTINE BELT.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ENGINE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS (POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, AIR CONDITIONING AND ACE).

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED IDLER PULLEY.

00V142000Electrical SystemMay 17, 2000 · 7,120 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE). THE LOADING CONDITIONS ON THE VEHICLE'S LEFT SIDE ENGINE IDLER PULLEY CAN EXCEED THE MAXIMUM CALCULATED FIGURE OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN SPECIFICATION. THE MATERIAL OF THE PULLEY CAN FRACTURE AND ULTIMATELY FAIL. FAILURE OF THE PULLEY MATERIAL CAN CAUSE THE PULLEY TO THROW OFF THE SERPENTINE BELT.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ENGINE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS (POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, AIR CONDITIONING AND ACE).

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED IDLER PULLEY.

00V036000EngineFebruary 11, 2000 · 2,838 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACTIVE CORNERING ENHANCEMENT (ACE). THE HIGH-PRESSURE HYDRAULIC PIPE THAT RUNS FROM THE ACE PUMP TO THE ACE VALVE BLOCK COULD FRACTURE AT ITS UNION WITH THE PUMP.

Consequence

THIS WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID. A LOW FLUID LEVEL CAN SUBSEQUENTLY RESULT IN SYSTEM PUMP FAILURE WHICH WILL THROW OFF THE AUXILIARY DRIVE BELT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS (POWER STEERING ASSIST, WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, AND AIR CONDITIONING). IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID COULD IGNITE, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW HYDRAULIC TUBING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“IN NOV OF 2007, BRAKES FAILED AT SLOW SPEEDS CAUSING A LOW SPEED CRASH, STILL EXPENSIVE DAMAGE. ABS AND TC LIGHTS CAME ON. FIXED WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER. LESS THAN THREE THOUSAND MILES LATER HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW ABS, TC AND DOWNHILL WARNING LIGHT IS ON. IS SO COMMON THAT IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2007 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THERE WAS A VERY LOUD POPPING AND GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DRIVESHAFT HANGING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE DOUBLE CARDAN JOINT THAT HELD THE DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 17, 2006

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT SIGNALED TO GO LEFT BUT THE VEHICLE WENT RIGHT. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PASSENGER SPRAINED HER NECK AND BACK. A POLICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 25, 2008 · crash

“ON THE EVENING OF MARCH 16TH, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN EPISODE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE EVENT OCCURRED LEAVING A SKI AREA (APPROX 9,000 FEET ELEVATION)ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH AN AVERAGE 6% GRADE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE LATE AFTERNOON WITH TEMPERATURES APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES AND WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 16, 2004

“WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING UP HILL. AT FIRST VISIT MECHANIC STATED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. 30000 MILES AFTER, SAME SITUATION OCCURRED. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT SAME SITUATION WILL OCCUR EVERY 30 THOUSAND MILES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

1999 Land Rover Discovery Ii — common questions

Is the 1999 Land Rover Discovery Ii reliable?

It is close to typical for the Discovery Ii: 44 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Discovery Ii problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (16 complaints), transmission (8 complaints), airbags (5 complaints).

Does the 1999 Land Rover Discovery Ii have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Land Rover Discovery Ii. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Land Rover Discovery Ii years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Discovery Ii years to avoid are 2003. The cleanest record among Discovery Ii years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.