Most common 1999 Land Rover Discovery II problems
Share of the 36 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Land Rover Discovery II complaints by model year
Best Discovery II years: 2004, 1999, 2001. Years to avoid: 2003, 2000. Compare all years →
1999 Land Rover Discovery II recalls (6)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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…
Remedy: Dealers will strengthen the ABS modulator assembly valve covers and replace the retaining bolts. Owner notification is exepcted to begin during May 2004. Owners should contact Land Rover at 1-800-637-6837.
Vehicle speed control
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the damaged cables where necessary. Owner notification began March 6, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
On certain sport utility vehicles, contamination of an anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensor can cause the ABS electronic control unit (ECU) to incorrectly interpret the sensor signal, resulting in inappropriate ABS activation.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new ECU. Owner notification began March 6, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time…
Electronic stability control › Automatic (asc)
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The loading conditions on the vehicle's left side engine idler pulley can exceed the maximum calculated figure of the original design specification. The material of the pulley can fracture and ultimately fail.
Remedy: Dealers will install an improved idler pulley.
Electronic stability control › Automatic (asc)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with active cornering enhancement (ace). The loading conditions on the vehicle's left side engine idler pulley can exceed the maximum calculated figure of the original design specification. The material of the pulley can fracture and ultimately fail.
Remedy: Dealers will install an improved idler pulley.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with active cornering enhancement (ace). The high-pressure hydraulic pipe that runs from the ace pump to the ace valve block could fracture at its union with the pump.
Remedy: Dealers will install new hydraulic tubing.
What 1999 Land Rover Discovery II owners say
Brakes
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle did not slow down. There was a beeping noise and the ABS light illuminated. The vehicle hit a pole and rolled over 5 times. The driver side front made impact with the pole, but the airbags did not deploy. The seatbelt was worn, but the contact sustained a fractured shoulder, hip, pelvis and 3 ribs. There was a police report taken at the scene. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. There is a NHTSA recall, # 02V022000, regarding the antilock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
In nov of 2007, brakes failed at slow speeds causing a low speed crash, still expensive damage. ABS and tc lights came on. Fixed was told that it was failure of brake booster. Less than three thousand miles later happened again and now ABS, tc and downhill warning light is on. Is so common that it has a nickname. "the three amigos" you can search "three amigo's + landrover" on google and find hundreds of people who have had the same issue. When this happens ABS is not functioning and stopping is not normal. This is a huge concern and I believe is connected to the 2 brake recalls already. This needs be recalled and creates un-safe driving.
Transmission & drivetrain
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Land Rover Discovery II. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the drive shaft disconnected from the vehicle causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle momentarily. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road. The vehicle was then towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the entire drive shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 12e010000 (powertrain:driveline:driveshaft). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 106,589. Updated 3/11/13 updated 03/19/13
Air bags
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle did not slow down. There was a beeping noise and the ABS light illuminated. The vehicle hit a pole and rolled over 5 times. The driver side front made impact with the pole, but the airbags did not deploy. The seatbelt was worn, but the contact sustained a fractured shoulder, hip, pelvis and 3 ribs. There was a police report taken at the scene. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. There is a NHTSA recall, # 02V022000, regarding the antilock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Auto accident which the car we were driving ran into the back of another car. Damage to our vehicle was high, medium and low on the front end. Total damage amount was $9100, totaling the car. The airbags did not deploy, resulting in injury to the passenger in the front seat. Since the car was totaled, there was nothing done to correct the lack of air bag deployment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Land Rover Discovery II a good car?
Based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Discovery II rates average: 24% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Discovery II at the same age. It is one of the best Discovery II years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Land Rover Discovery II?
The brakes — 15 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (8) and air bags (5).
How many recalls does the 1999 Land Rover Discovery II have?
There are 6 recalls for the 1999 Land Rover Discovery II, the most recent from January 6, 2004 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Land Rover Discovery II?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 1999 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003 and 2000. See the full Land Rover Discovery II years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Land Rover Discovery II problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.