Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1997 Land Rover Range Rover — 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.
27
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
3
Crash-involved
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 26% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 3 | 11% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 2 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 7% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 1 | 4% | — flat |
| Transmission | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 1 | 4% | — flat |
| Airbags | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN AREAS WHERE THE COOLANT COULD BE SUBJECTED TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES.
Consequence
CONSEQUENTLY, THE FLUID COULD IGNITE CAUSING AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL MAKE A SERIES OF MODIFICATIONS TO SEVERAL UNDERHOOD HOSE COMPONENTS TO ELIMINATE THE RELEASE OF ENGINE COOLANT.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. AS A RESULT OF WATER INGRESS AND SUBSEQUENT ICE BLOCKAGE, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHER TUBE CAN BECOME CLOGGED, EXPELLING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE DIPSTICK TUBE ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.
Consequence
THIS LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION BREATHER TUBE FROM THE INNER FENDER AND A SECTION OF THE HOSE WILL BE CUT AT AN ANGLE. THIS ACTION WILL REMOVE THE END OF THE BREATHER TUBE FROM ANY POOLED WATER AND WILL ELIMINATE WATER DROPLETS FROM CLINGING TO THE END OF THE TUBE.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. CERTAIN UNDERHOOD HOSE AND TUBING COMPONENTS CAN FAIL ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK, SUCH AS ENGINE COOLANT, WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Consequence
THIS LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THESE COMPONENTS. NOTE THAT NOT ALL COMPONENTS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE JUMPED UP TO HIGH AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD, THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND A PASSER BY GAVE HER A RIDE TO A SERVICE STATION, UPON RETURNING THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *YH ”
“THERE WAS A FUNNY ODOR. I PULLED INTO THE DRIVE WAY, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE FIRE UNDERNEATH THE CAR TOWARDS THE FRONT END. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A TRANS VENT TUBE MODIFICATION, WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED ON MY CAR. *AK”
“ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 18, I BEGAN PLACING MY BABY'S INFANT CARRIER SEAT INTO THE BASE ALREADY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER OUTBOARD SEAT. I NOTICED THAT IT SEEMED LOOSE AND REMOVED THE BASE FOR CLOSER INSPECTION. THE BASE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY WITH THE RETRACTOR…”
“MICHELIN LATITUDETOUR HP 255/65R16 SIDEWALL FAILURE. INSIDE SIDEWALL PERFORATION CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF PRESSURE. SAME MODEL TIRE AS COVERED BY PREVIOUS RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13T006000 COMPONENT(S): TIRES NO DAMAGE TO TIRE OTHER THAN SIDEWALL FAILURE. FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE PARKED. *TR”
The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (7 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Land Rover Range Rover. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Range Rover years to avoid are 2003, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2006, 2004, 2014, 1996, 1995, 2005, 2018, 1999, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Range Rover years belongs to 2026.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.