1997 Land Rover DISCOVERY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 26 complaints (34.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 38.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 5; 2002: 5; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10082255 · 2004-07-20 (July 20, 2004)
SURGING AT FULLY CLOSED THROTTLE ACCOMPANIED BY ABS FAILURE IS A REAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER. PRM CHIP REPLACEMENT TO FIX THE SURGE PROBLEM SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. MY 1997 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY WOULD NOT STOP AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR BECAUSE THE RPMS SURGED ON THE VEHICLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE DUE TO LACK OF BRAKES AND AN ELEVATED RPM LEVEL. THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC DEFECT T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459794 · 2012-05-27 (May 27, 2012)
RIGHT FRONT ABS SENSOR MALFUNCTION. UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO ABS ENGAGING. VIBRATED VEHICLE OUT INTO INTERSECTION. LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID BEING T-BONED BY ACCELERATING HARD. HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE. UPON RESEARCHING PROBLEM FOUND IT TO BE COMMON IN 97 DISCOVERY. ALSO FOUND MOST PEOPLE HAVE WOUND IP REMOVING ABS FUSE DUE TO PROBLEM RECURRING EVEN AFTER REPAIR. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL MANY YEARS AGO. LAND ROVER NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,243 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158553 · 2006-05-30 (May 30, 2006)
I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ACTION B156 FROM LAND ROVER OF NORTH AMERICA FOR FUEL TANK CRACKING. I CONTACTED THEM AT THE 800 NUMBER PROVIDED AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO EITHER A DEALERSHIP IN PORTLAND OREGON OR RENO NEVADA TO HAVE THE TANK CHANGED. I TOLD THEM THAT EITHER ONE OF THEM ARE NEARLY THREE HUNDRED MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE AND THAT WE HAVE A FORD DEALERSHIP RIGHT HERE IN MY TOWN. (FORD OWNS LAND ROVER ) WHY CANT THEY BE AUTHORIZED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT OR PAY ME FOR THE COST OF TRAVEL,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224469 · 2008-04-14 (April 14, 2008)
RECENTLY FOUND OUT THOUGH NHTSA THAT LAND ROVER HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR FUEL SYSTEM , GASOLINE : STORAGE (FUEL TANK) IT SEEMS A STRESS CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANKS WHICH MAY RESULT IN A FIRE . THE REMEDY ACCORDING TO THE REPORT IS FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. I CONTACTED LAND ROVER THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL STATING IT DOSE NOT EFFECT MY VEHICLE WHEN THE REPORT CLEARLY SAYS THAT IT DOES. PLEASE HELP ME CHILDREN RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS 4V203000. THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10224469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742590 · 2001-03-17 (March 17, 2001)
THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY BUCKING AND HESITATING WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 35MPH. AFTER PULLING INTO BREAKDOWN LANE CAR WAS TOWED TO LANDROVER OF HANOVER (MA). THEY REPORTED THAT THE TRANSFER BOX "SPLIT IN HALF" CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE QUOTE RECEIVED AT THAT TIME WAS $14,000. NOT TRUSTING THAT DEALER, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO LAND ROVER METROWEST (MA). THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER BOX AND REPORTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE OK. 2 WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. METROWEST THEN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THERE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8006528 · 2002-03-27 (March 27, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER DASH ON DRIVER SIDE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. INVESTIGATOR INDICATED WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8006528 at NHTSA ↗