Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD · 2 NHTSA variants

1999 Land Rover DiscoveryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints for the 1999 Land Rover Discovery. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (15) and power train (9). The EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
13–14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Mar 2012
Owner complaints
53
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$5,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 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

Service brakes

Free remedy

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS," AND NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR VALVE COVER RETAINING BOLTS CAN CRACK DUE TO STRESSES TRANSMITTED BY THE FLEXING VALVE COVERS.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jan 6, 2004NHTSA 04V005000

Vehicle speed control

Free remedy

ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE COULD HAVE BECOME KINKED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN CHAFFING OF THE CABLE. CONTINUED CHAFFING CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE INTERIOR CABLE STRANDS.

Vehicle speed controlReported Jan 23, 2002NHTSA 02V028000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

53 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 1999 – Oct 2016
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic15
  2. Power train9
  3. Air bags6
  4. Vehicle speed control4
  5. Engine and engine cooling4
  6. Steering3
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Seats2
  9. Service brakes, air2

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
9
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

15 reports5 crashes
“I HAVE A 1999 DISCOVERY II. THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON; NICKNAMED AS YOU MIGHT ALREADY KNOW "THE THREE AMIGOS" BY THOUSANDS OF LAND ROVER OWNERS. THE THREE AMIGOS REFERS TO THE THREE WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD: ABS, TC-TRACTION CONTROL, DOWNHILL DESCENT. I WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL DEALER IN ENCINO, CA IT WAS THE ABS MODULATOR. THEY DIDN'T PUT IT ON PAPER, BUT THEY SAID VERBALLY IF YOU DON'T GET THE "ABS MODULATOR REPLACED, YOU WILL HAVE BRAKE FAILURE. YET, LAND ROVER WON'T RECALL IT. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE "THREE AMIGOS", CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULATOR. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. NEXT TIME YOU DRIVE BY A 1999 LAND ROVER, LOOK ON THEIR DASHBOARD, AND YOU WILL SEE 3 WARNING LIGHTS ON. LAND ROVER, NEEDS TO RECALL THIS, AND REPLACE THE ABS MODULATOR. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2010Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10312183

Power train

9 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A DRIVE SHAFT TECHNICIAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12E010000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2015Power trainODI 10746299

Air bags

6 reports5 crashes
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THE SAFETY RESTRAINT LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,772 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 20,421.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2009Air bagsODI 10281933
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-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 6, 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 Series II
Auto 4-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 Series II
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    12 city · 15 hwy · $5,950/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 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 1999 Land Rover Discovery as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 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

1999 Discovery questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Land Rover Discovery have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 1999 Land Rover Discovery problems?

Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (15), power train (9), air bags (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Land Rover Discovery get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Land Rover Discovery at 13–14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026