Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 1998 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.
28
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 6 | 21% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 4 | 14% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 4 | 14% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 3 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 2 | 7% | — flat |
| Transmission | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 2 | 7% | ▼ 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.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, TWO POPPING SOUNDS WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OF A HEAT SOURCE WITHIN THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE…”
“ DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LIFTS UP. THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL. THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR AND TWO SENSORS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 RANGE ROVER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE NOTICED THAT STEAM SUDDENLY STARTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS WHICH DISTORTED THE DRIVERS VISION. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE O RING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND…”
“WHEN DRIVING AT 10--15 MPH AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RESULTING IN VEHICLE HITTING AN EMBANKMENT.ALSO, ALL POWER STEERING FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER…”
The record is thin — 28 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 fuel system (6 complaints), engine (4 complaints), suspension (4 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 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.