1997 Land Rover Discovery: common problems and reliability
38 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about service brakes. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 1997 Discovery?The 1997 Land Rover Discovery has 38 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and hydraulic.
Safety record for the 1997 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1997 Land Rover Discovery vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1997 a good year for the Discovery?
Across the 18 Discovery model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2006) to 111 (2003). With 38 complaints, the 1997 Discovery sits about the same as the model's median of 37.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1997 Discovery
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 12E010000JAGUAR 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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 98V040000VEHICLE 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.
fuel system, gasoline:storage
Campaign 04V203000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A STRESS CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANKS.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on the specific generation and powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Discovery. See the full Discovery owner picture and every model year.
Other Discovery model years
Compare every Discovery year side by side to see how 1997 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Discovery against its rivals
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