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Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD

1998 Land Rover DiscoveryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 1998 Land Rover Discovery. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and steering (5). The EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13–14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2012
Owner complaints
33
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$5,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Mar 15, 2012NHTSA 12E010000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 24, 1998NHTSA 98V040000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1998 – Apr 2019
  1. Electrical system5
  2. Steering5
  3. Air bags4
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  5. Seat belts4
  6. Engine and engine cooling2
  7. Visibility2
  8. Power train2
  9. Fuel system, gasoline2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Discovery model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199675
199737
199833
199953
201837
201939
202020
202112
202211
20237
20248
20250
20261
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

5 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND LEFT LEG WHILE JUMPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2019Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11193854

Steering

5 reports2 crashes
“I BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AS MY CAR CLEARED THE PARKING SPACE, I WAS TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL AS I BACKED OUT, I HEARD A CLICK AT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUDDENLY HAD NO STEERING WHATSOEVER. MY STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS FREE, EASILY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER CONTROLS THE FRONT TIRES. IT APPEARS THAT A SPLINED SHAFT COMING OUT OF THE STEERING BOX IS STRIPPED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT ANY STEERING CONTROL. HAVING JUST RECOVERED FROM STAGE 4 CANCER LAST YEAR AND WORKING ONLY 1/2 TIME (20 HOURS/WEEK), I HAVEN'T GOT THE MONEY TO PAY A MECHANIC TO FIX IT RIGHT NOW. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2013SteeringODI 10556128

Air bags

4 reports4 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSIVE SPARK WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING TO IGNITE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE RIGHT HAND AND THE LEFT ARM BECAME BLISTERED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING AND ABRASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2012Air bagsCrash reportedFire reportedODI 10465311
All 1998 Discovery problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Discovery
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121614$5,550635
Discovery
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121513$5,950684
  • Discovery
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $5,550/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Discovery
    Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    12 city · 15 hwy · $5,950/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Land Rover Discovery as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Discovery questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Land Rover Discovery have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Land Rover Discovery problems?

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), steering (5), air bags (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Land Rover Discovery get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Land Rover Discovery at 13–14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026