VehicleVerdict

1999 Land Rover Discovery problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1999 Land Rover Discovery — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Discovery years?

Discovery NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Discovery years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Land Rover Discovery problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes521%
Electrical System313%
Steering313%
Engine313%
Seats313%
Transmission28%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Fuel System14%
Speed Control14%
Body & Structure14%
Airbags14%

Does the 1999 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

3 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.

00V377000TransmissionNovember 16, 2000 · 59,445 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL CAN LEAD TO VARIOUS FAILURE MODES OF THE TRANSMISSION. ONE OF THESE FAILURE MODELS RESULTS IN INCORRECT OPERATION OF THE PARK LOCK FUNCTION THAT COULD ALLOW A VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF PARKED WITHOUT THE HANDBRAKE PROPERLY SET.

Consequence

UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK THE PARK LOCK FUNCTION; REPOSITION THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BREATHER TUBE; AND TEST THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FLUSH IF NECESSARY.

99V237000BrakesAugust 26, 1999 · 11,583 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CONTACTS OF THE RELAY, WHICH OPERATES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PUMP, CAN STICK AND REMAIN CLOSED WHEN COMMANDED TO OPEN BY THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND AN AUDIBLE ALARM WILL SOUND.

Consequence

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING WILL STOP AND THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT BRAKING FOR LESS THAN A SECOND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS RELAY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER WAS SLOWING TO A STOP, WHEN VEHICLE GOT TO ABOUT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FORCEFULLY PUSHED CONSUMER'S FOOT IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION, CONSUMER PUSHED BACK DOWN ON BRAKE WHICH NOW FELT VERY HARD AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP OR EVEN SLOW DOWN, CONSUMER STATES THE PEDAL FELT LIKE GRINDING STONE ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 25, 2000 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT HEATER BECAME ABNORMALLY WARM IN THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE CALLED ANOTHER DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 13, 2008

“WHILE DRIVING ON GRAVEL THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE AND SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING. ALSO, STEERING WAS IMPOSSIBLE. DEALER SAID TIE ROD BROKE AT THE CONNECTOR. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

“CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, DEALER REPLACED THE ROCKER ARMS.*JB THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT DIDN'T MOVE BACK AND FORTH, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THERE WAS A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM THE RADIO. UPDATED *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 5, 2001

“THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER HEARD POP SOUND FOLLOWED BY INTENSIVE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED FIRE WARRANTY BY THE DEALER. *YH ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 5, 2001 · fire

1999 Land Rover Discovery — common questions

Is the 1999 Land Rover Discovery reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 Discovery problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), seats (3 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 1999 Land Rover Discovery have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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.