VehicleVerdict

1998 Land Rover Discovery problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 44 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Discovery year — the 1998 model ranks #7 of 23 Discovery years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (6), seat belts (5), and steering (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

44

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Discovery years?

Discovery NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted111 complaints1994: 16 complaints1995: 68 complaints1996: 111 complaints1997: 41 complaints1998: 44 complaints1999: 24 complaints2000: 36 complaints2001: 14 complaints2002: 21 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 32 complaints2006: 3 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 91 complaints2018: 51 complaints2019: 64 complaints2020: 31 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 9 complaints2023: 8 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Discovery NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Land Rover Discovery problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System614%
Seat Belts511%
Brakes511%
Steering511%
Airbags49%
Transmission49%
Engine37%
Other25%
Fuel System25%
Visibility & Wipers25%
Suspension12%
Lighting12%
Latches & Locks12%
Seats12%
Speed Control12%
Body & Structure12%

Does the 1998 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

2 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.

98V040000Speed ControlFebruary 24, 1998 · 54,488 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING CAN CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSIBLE LINK WHICH WILL PROTECT THE ROTARY COUPLER FROM OVERHEATING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DRIVER SIDE DASH. THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, THEN VIEWED LIGHT GRAY SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. SCC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 7, 2003 · fire

“THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT ADJUSTER CONSISTS OF A KNOB AT THE PASSENGERS SHOULDER AND IT STICKS OUT ABOUT AN INCH, CONSUMER STATES THAT IF THE VEHICLE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT CAN BE THROWN FORWARD AND CUT BADLY ON THE ADJUSTER. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 25, 2001

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 10, 2010 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 10, 2010 · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

1998 Land Rover Discovery — common questions

Is the 1998 Land Rover Discovery reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 44 complaints put the 1998 model at #7 of 23 Discovery years. It is one of the Discovery years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Discovery problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (6 complaints), seat belts (5 complaints), steering (5 complaints).

Does the 1998 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Land Rover Discovery. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Land Rover Discovery years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Discovery years to avoid are 1996, 2017, 2003, 1995, 2019, 2018, 1998, 1997, 2000. The cleanest record among Discovery years belongs to 2025.

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.