1997 LAND ROVER Discovery

I purchased A 1997 Land Rover Discvory on July 3rd 2004.It is clear that this vehicle is full of manufacturing defects and engineering oversights. In the course of a month the Discovery went from a replacement vehicle for my Suburban to a junk yard candidate. This vehicle should not be legal for street use in the USA due to its various safety issues.Most dangerous is the ABS system activating at low speeds rendering the braking system useless. The vehicle refuses to stop no matter how hard the pedal is depressed. This occurs without the ABS light being illuminated on the dash which would warn of an ABS problem. This vehicle also has a rpm surge at fully closed throttle which has been acknowledged by the manufacturer. This causes the vehicle to speed up on its own. Combine this with the ABS problem and it creates a very dangerous situation. Again these are common problems with this vehcile based on searching webpages and newsgroups. The manufacturer has a revised prom chip for the ecu to remedy the surging but again, refuses to do this if vehicle is out of warranty.All the window seals are rotting on this vehicle allowing moisture to enter above the headliner. As a result the headliner is sagging. The A/C switch periodically goes out as does the power seat switches. The power steering is leaking, the front seal is leaking, the exhaust manifold gasket is leaking, the head gasket is leaking, the springs are sagging, the transmission clunks, and the dash loses power periodically while driving. The check engine light is constantly on. In a time when the age of a vehicle is usually more of a factor than the mileage these are unacceptable defects. I addressed these issues directly with the manufacturer and they refused to acknowlege the problems with their vehicle.I suspect that Land Rover has made a living preying on the wealth of the upper class individuals who are their target market. I, on the other hand, purchased this vehcile as a reliable means of transportation for my wife and two daughters. What I discovered was this vehicle is just a status symbol which is not capable of being a safe means of transportaion unless you can afford to spend thousands paying for Land Rover’s defective product. I refuse to believe that in the United States of America that a manufacturer can acknowledge defective parts in their technical service bulletins and not be held accountable.Jerry Moore1645 Marvelle AvenueRocky Mount, NC 27803

Right front abs sensor malfunction. unable to stop due to abs engaging. vibrated vehicle out into intersection. lucky enough to avoid being t-boned by accelerating hard. happened numerous times since. upon researching problem found it to be common in 97 discovery. also found most people have wound ip removing abs fuse due to problem recurring even after repair. should have been a recall many years ago. land rover needs to take responsibility and fix the issue. *tr

Two years ago i replaced a fuel tank on my land rover discovery 1997 at the dealership in san diego as a result of the safety recall action b156 - fuel tank cracking. the replacement tank is exhibiting the same problem as for the initial recall. it leaks when full and noticeable fuel odor can be smelled. the dealership told me after i notified them with the recent problem, that the replacement tank has only one year warranty. i told them the problem is the same as was recalled and they should replace the tank at their cost. what do you advice i tell them next friday when i take the vehicle in. *tr

Recently found out though nhtsa that land rover had a recall on my vehicle for fuel system , gasoline : storage (fuel tank) it seems a stress crack can develop in the plastic fuel tanks which may result in a fire . the remedy according to the report is fuel tank replacement. i contacted land rover they refused to honor the recall stating it dose not effect my vehicle when the report clearly says that it does. please help me children ride in this vehicle. the nhtsa campaign id number is 4v203000. the vehicle is a 1997 land rover discovery. thank you james fowler *tr

1997 off-lease vehicle purchased from louisville land rover in march of 2000. windshield was cracked and mgr stated i should accept vehicle and file claim with my insurance company for replacement. refused delivery until dealer replaced windshield. first rain after taking delivery, vehicle headliner dripping and dash, radio and hvac controls saturated with standing water in carpet on front passenger side. notified dealer multiple times with "no problem found" on 5 occasions. dealer finally replaced windshield again and claimed no more windshield repairs would be performed. vehicle is undrivable in rain as water runs freely off the headliner, which has separated and is hanging from it's backing. currently under repair at a reputable body shop. web postings indicate water intrusion due to sunroof and pillar drain blockage and bad sunroof seals are a constant issue. also getting saturated carpet on front passenger side during dry, hot weather. clearly ac condensate issues. *jb

I have a safety recall action b156 from land rover of north america for fuel tank cracking. i contacted them at the 800 number provided and was told that i would have to take the vehicle to either a dealership in portland oregon or reno nevada to have the tank changed. i told them that either one of them are nearly three hundred miles from where i live and that we have a ford dealership right here in my town. (ford owns land rover ) why cant they be authorized to do the recall repair. they would not allow that or pay me for the cost of travel, food and motels. what the hell am i supposed to do ? *jb

1997 land rover discovery left rear tire blew while changing lanes. *ts the consumer lost control of the vehicle and struck a median. the blowout was a result from the impact with the median. the consumer stated he was told the tire was going flat right before he lost control of the vehicle. *jb

Surging at fully closed throttle accompanied by abs failure is a real issue with this vehicle. this is a common problem acknowledged by the manufacturer. prm chip replacement to fix the surge problem should be a safety recall. my 1997 land rover discovery would not stop at a stop light when letting off the accelerator because the rpms surged on the vehicle. upon attempting to depress the brakes the abs malfunctioned causing the vehicle to continue to accelerate due to lack of brakes and an elevated rpm level. this is an electronic defect that needs immediate attention due to the number of vehicles which experience this problem and the acknowledgment by the manufacturer that rpm surging at fully closed throttle requires the replacement of a revised chip to remedy this. this vehicle is of no use to me because it is unsafe to operate and thus unsuitable for road use. i am seriously considering contacting other sources/media outlets to investigate this common problem. *la

Left exhaust manifold cracked, right exhaust manifold broken in 2! cast iron exhaust manifold both diagnosed as cracked - i replaced worse of 2 then better one broke. engine block aluminum - creep/fatigue failure due to thermal expansion rates of manifold versus block should be investigated. i believe warrants a recall - especially in ca with tight smog limits.*ak

While driving vehicle made a loud noise. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the dealer determined that there was a hairline crack in the manifold which caused the loud noise. *ak

While driving a loud noise came from under the hood. the noise occurred because the manifold had a hair line crack. a manufacturer's improvement campaign was issued. the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle's vin was 1 digit off, thus not covered by the warranty. *ak

Rear view mirror malfunctioning as there is a large bubble that keeps moving around in the mirror

One cylinder blewout and all 8 had to be replaced. while driving and when cylinder malfunctions it affects everything in the car ,including speedometer. *ak

While driving at low speed applies brakes and vehicle does not come to a complete stop. dealer has been notified, mechanic states abs system sensors are not operating properly, and need to be replaced because defective abs brakes cause extended stopping distance. *ak

Consumer stated saw sparks coming from under dash on driver side while driving vehicle. vehicle caught fire. investigator indicated was an electrical fire. nlm

When vehicle comes to a stop abs system would lock up wheels. brake pedal would go to floor and feel mushy. there was extended stopping distance. had taken vehicle to dealership at least 20 or more times for brake problems. mechanic indicated either hand cable/ brake cable, "t"box or brake pads had to be replaced due to some type of enlargement during heat. problem would always return. *ak

Fuel line is rubbing against frame of vehicle, creating several holes in fuel line, and causing fuel leakage. please give any further details.*ak

Consumer was traveling about 35mph on pavement road when another vehicle started beeping. he pulled over and lady in the other vehicle told him that there were flames coming from underneath of vehicle. consumer called fire department that vehicle was burning to a crisp. vehicle was totaled. there were no injuries. *ak

When the brake pedal is applied sometimes the pedal goes to the floor, and sometime it's hard. brakes do not respond in some situations. also, the anti-lock system makes a grinding noise when it activates, but it does not respond. vehicle has been in three accidents because of this problem. the dealer has been notified. *ak

The vehicle hit a tree head-on at 40mph, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. dealer insists that there is no problem. *ak

While applying abs brakes they failed to stop vehicle which was being driven at 40 mph, resulting in an accident. also brake pedal went completely to floor of vehicle. there was no deployment of driver's or passenger's side airbags. *ak

While driving at approx 40 mph coming to intersection ,150-200 yards away , light turned red, went to apply brakes vehicle did not stop. stood on brakes, nothing happened, hit side of another vehicle with the front, air bag did not deploy. seat belt was worn. this defect resulted in an accident, and could have caused injuries. 820963 duplicate of 818194, posted on 03-nov-98. *ak

While driving at 40 mph the braking system malfunctioned, causing the braking system to be inoperative which caused a frontal impact. both airbags did not deploy. no prior problems with braking system. *ak

During frontal impact at 30 mph, the driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy. please provide further details. *ak

While driving vehicle hit a bump. applied the brakes and the abs brakes locked up. this vehicle is only 3 months old. *ak

It has been impossible to keep these sensors in working condition for more than a month. after searching the internet newsgroups, it is clear that this is a very common problem across all 97 discovery. the generally accepted advice is to disconnect the abs because it will never work. in my opinion, if we have reached the point where the generally accepted advice is to disconnect this important safety feature, the manufacturer has a problem.

Brakes frequently fail to stop vehicle at speeds under 20mph. dealer stated it was a bad abs sensor on right front wheel. it was replaced at a cost of $500.00 but the problem remained. i see from internet postings it is a common problem in '97 discoveries. the real hazard is that it does not matter how much force is applied to te brake pedal, the vehicle will not stop. i see from other complaints posted on this site that a suggestion is to disconnect theabs system. is this acceptable to the nhtsa? how about a saftey recall before someone is killed. including me.*ak

At low rates of speed, in dry weather conditions, the brakes fail to work properly. on many occasions, soon after starting to drive in a forward gear, not yet in reverse (usually on a warm motor, after a short time not running) the brakes fail to engage fully and the vehicle fails to stop. the driver can literally stand on the pedal, and the vehicle slows only slightly. it has always occurred after backing out of a parking space.*ak

The car broke down on the highway bucking and hesitating while traveling approx. 35mph. after pulling into breakdown lane car was towed to landrover of hanover (ma). they reported that the transfer box "split in half" causing additional damage to the transmission. the quote received at that time was $14,000. not trusting that dealer, the car was towed to land rover metrowest (ma). they replaced the transfer box and reported that the transmission should be ok. 2 weeks later the transmission failed. metrowest then replaced the transmission. there was no explanation for the failure of the transfer box and transmission. the cost was upwards of $5,000 with a used transmission and transfer box. the vehicles warranty ran up in august of 2000. 5 months prior to the damage. i requested a goodwill adjustment from the manufacturer and was declined. in addition, on 6/5/00 the vehicle was brought to land rover hanover for a recall item o2 sensor. at that time it was found that a transfer box mount stud was rusted (while under warranty). the dealer never notified me when the part came in and only mentioned in passing that the part was rusted at all. it is my feeling that the above mentioned repairs and parts should be covered under warranty by the manufacturer. furthermore, on march 9, 2001 the vehicle was involved in a head on collision with a utility pole at 25-35 mph. neither the driver's nor passanger side airbags deployed. if it hadn't been for the seatbelt, the driver would have sustained serious injuries.

Anti-lock system activates at low speed after reversing from a parking space while traveling forward at random times. full pedal force is required to stop vehicle speeds 10-20 mph then condition clears for hours or days. *ak

Frontal collision at 50mph and airbag did not deply. if not for seat belts, crash would have been fatal.*ak

Vehicle from a standstill was put in reverse gear, while the brake was applied attempted to back the vehicle up, the truck accelarated at an high rate of speed in reverse gear on its own.

When you put the vehicle in reverse, the engine accelerates to a high rate of speed and take off in reverse gear. the only way to stop the vehicle is turning the ignition off.

Transmission seal.

Abs brakes began to systematrically engage on smooth surfaces, abs system engaged, instead of stopping the vehicle began to surge forward, to avoid colliding with other vehicles consumer drove onto the cement barrier until vehicle stopped. possibly related to the fuel, throttle, linkages and control as well as the abs system. *slc

On several occasions, dashboard went blank while driving losing all power, dealer found that the security system had failed, causing it to cut the ignition switch, then after happening again dealer said the problem was casued by a defective crank shaft sensor.

Accelerator pedal is too close to the brake pedal. when consumer attempts to press brake pedeal, the accelerator pedal, at times, is also pressed. this defect has caused consumer to be involved in a crash. *ak *ml