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Research · Special Purpose Vehicles

1997 Land Rover Range RoverRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints for the 1997 Land Rover Range Rover. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (5) and engine (2). The EPA rates it 12–13 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
12–13mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2000
Owner complaints
21
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$6,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Engine and engine cooling: hoses

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN AREAS WHERE THE COOLANT COULD BE SUBJECTED TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 16, 2000NHTSA 00V328000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jan 19, 1999NHTSA 99V007000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jul 1, 1998NHTSA 98V149000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

21 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 1996 – Mar 2017
  1. Engine and engine cooling5
  2. Engine2
  3. Tires2
  4. Seat belts2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  7. Exterior lighting1
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  9. Structure1

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 Range Rover model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199721
199824
199929
200026
20017
200214
2003127
2004101
200536
200656
200722
200844
200914
201059
201182
201245
201354
201442
2015126
201679
2017121
201828
201926
202080
202118
202218
202322
202410
20260
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

5 reports2 fires
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, OPENED THE DOOR, AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2009Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10264828

Engine

2 reports1 fire
“I HAVE THE LIGHT FOR THE CHECK ENGINE ON. THE MECHANIC CHANGE THE ENGINE AND STILL THE LIGHT ON. AND WHILE I DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. IT'S STOP SUDDENLY AND CUT POWER. I CALL AAA TO PICK IT UP AND IT WAS THE DYNAMITIC AND I FIXED, BUT IT TURN IT AND STOP WHILE I DRIVE IT AGAIN. ALSO MANY TIME WHEN I START THE POWER IT'S NOT START FROM FIRST TIME. I HAVE TO TRY MANY TIME UNTIL IT CATCH POWER TO START THE ENGINE..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2017Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 10960148

Tires

2 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2015TiresODI 10682779
All 1997 Range Rover problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicles
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl · 4.6L 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 Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Range Rover
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111613$6,150684
Range Rover
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111512$6,650741
  • Range Rover
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    11 city · 16 hwy · $6,150/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
  • Range Rover
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    11 city · 15 hwy · $6,650/yr
    12
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 1997 Land Rover Range Rover as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 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

1997 Range Rover questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Land Rover Range Rover have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 1997 Land Rover Range Rover problems?

Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (5), engine (2), tires (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Land Rover Range Rover get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Land Rover Range Rover at 12–13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026