Most common 1998 Land Rover Discovery problems
Share of the 33 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Land Rover Discovery complaints by model year
Best Discovery years: 2016, 2025, 2022. Years to avoid: 2017, 2019, 2018, 1996. Compare all years →
1998 Land Rover Discovery recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fusible link which will protect the rotary coupler from overheating.
What 1998 Land Rover Discovery owners say
Steering
Our Land Rover Discovery lost steering and brake control while on highway 99 nb south of the toulumne rd exit. We were traveling at low highway speed (50-60mph) when we noticed the vehicle to begin swerving left and right causing the body to pitch dramatically with no response from steering, when the brakes were applied they were unresponsive. The directional occasional increased while we traveled approx another 500 yards before we hit the edge embankment and rolled over. Engine continued to run in the overturned position.
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.
Electrical system
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.
The engine caught on fire. There was an electrical fire in the driver side dash. The consumer smelled smoke, then viewed light gray smoke and flames coming out of the dashboard below the steering column. Scc
Brakes
Our Land Rover Discovery lost steering and brake control while on highway 99 nb south of the toulumne rd exit. We were traveling at low highway speed (50-60mph) when we noticed the vehicle to begin swerving left and right causing the body to pitch dramatically with no response from steering, when the brakes were applied they were unresponsive. The directional occasional increased while we traveled approx another 500 yards before we hit the edge embankment and rolled over. Engine continued to run in the overturned position.
The first incedent occured when the vehicle was traveling at 45 MPH. The right front wheel locked up and sent the truck off the road and into the ditch. The mfg was contacted and I was told to drive the truck to the dealer. While enroute back to tn to take the truck to the dealer the second incedent occured. The second incedent occured while the vehicle was traveling at highway speed of 70 MPH. The right front wheel locked up and made the truck uncontrolable it took both lanes to bring the truck back under control before it stopped on the shoulder of the road. If I would not have had ahold of the steering wheel with both hands the truck would have rolled or if any cars would have been around there would have been a major accident.
1998 Land Rover Discovery engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 15 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Land Rover Discovery a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Discovery rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Discovery at the same age. 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 1998 Land Rover Discovery?
The steering — 5 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › power steering fluid. Next are the electrical system (5) and brakes (5).
How many recalls does the 1998 Land Rover Discovery have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Land Rover Discovery, the most recent from February 24, 1998 (vehicle speed control). 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2025 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2019, 2018 and 1996. See the full Land Rover Discovery years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Land Rover Discovery problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 0% 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.