Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 1994 Land Rover Discovery with NHTSA between 1999 and 2004.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 14 of 18 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the Land Rover Discovery. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1994 compares with every other Land Rover Discovery
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 Land Rover Discovery
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seats
212.5%
Median failure at 217,000 miles
Tires
212.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
212.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 120,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
212.5%
Median failure at 110,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Doors, Latches & Locks
16.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
16.3%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.3%
Body & Structure
16.3%
Steering
16.3%
Airbags
16.3%
Engine & Cooling
16.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
240.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
240.0%
150,000+ miles
120.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1999peak 3Nov 2004
Recalls on the 1994 Land Rover Discovery
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20120995 units in Canada
Powertrain
Certain vehicles may have received an incorrectly manufactured rear driveshaft coupling (part number TVF100010) as a replacement part during service. Drive coupling failure could allow the driveshaft to detach from the vehicle, resulting in a loss of propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road condition, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash. As well, a driveshaft separating from the vehicle could strike another vehicle, stationary object, or bystander. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the driveshaft coupling.
Recall 19980682,433 units in Canada
Airbag
DUE TO THE PROXIMITY OF THE SRS AND CRUISE CONTROL CIRCUITS IN THE AREA OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD CAUSE THE ROTARY COUPLER TO FAIL. THIS COULD INITIATE AN INVOLUNTARY DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG. CORRECTION: A FUSED LINK WILL BE ADDED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL CIRCUIT ON ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Eagle, WI1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER WAS UPSET AND SLAMMED THE CONSOLE, AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THERE WAS NO LIGHT INDICATION OF ANY DEFECTS OF THE AIR BAG. ALSO, HORN WAS STUCK AS RESULT CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OUT A FUSE. *AK *EH
NHTSA complaint #10089916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesFayette, MECrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. . WHEELS LOCK WHEN TRAVELING ON A NON TRACTION ROAD. *AK....TWO YEAR'S AGO THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN TWO COLLISIONS DUE TO ABS FAILURE ON FRESH WET SNOW.
NHTSA complaint #10075795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooksville, FLFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE ACTIVE HYDRAULIC CORNER ENHANCER WHICH PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM LEANING WHILE TURNING CORNERS BROKE, CAUSING HYDRAULIC FLUIDS TO RELEASE WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #859023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenbrae, CACrash
TIRES
CAR HYDROPLANED ON FREEWAY AND ROLLED ON TO LEFT SIDE
NHTSA complaint #717732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 75,000 milesSearsmont, ME
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
RECALL 04V203000 CONCERNING LAND ROVER FUEL TANKS: CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10099324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, WI1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER WAS UPSET AND SLAMMED THE CONSOLE, AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THERE WAS NO LIGHT INDICATION OF ANY DEFECTS OF THE AIR BAG. ALSO, HORN WAS STUCK AS RESULT CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OUT A FUSE. *AK *EH
NHTSA complaint #10089916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monte Vista, CO
SEATS
THE SUPPORT WEBBING OF THE DRIVERS SEAT IN THIS VEHICLE FAILED IN TENSION. THE POINT OF FAILURE WAS NEAR THE MIDPOINT OF THE WEBBING SPAN. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE METAL SPRING SUPPORT PLACES A NORMAL FORCE ON THE TOP SURFACE OF THE WEBBING WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS IN USE. THE RELATIVELY HARD, METAL SPRING RUBS THE SURFACE OF THE WEBBING AS THE DRIVER'S WEIGHT IS SHIFTED ON THE SEAT. EVENTUALLY THIS CAUSES A WEAK AREA IN THE WEBBING AND THE TENSION PLACED ON THE WEBBING BY ITS CONNECTION WITH THE FRAME OF THE SEAT IS TOO GREAT FOR THIS WEEK AREA. THUS THE WEBBING SNAPS APART AT THIS LOCATION. WHEN THE WEBBING SNAPS, THE DRIVER IS SUBJECT TO A SUDDEN DROP IN SITTING HEIGHT. THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES FOR ME. HAD THIS SUDDEN CHANGE IN SITTING HEIGHT OCCURRED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, UNDESIRED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10087045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 217,000 milesLarkspur, CO
SEATS
THE DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSED IN THE SEAT SECTION. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE SEAT SUDDENLY FAILED AND DROPPED ABOUT 3-INCHES. THE SUPPORT SECTION OF THE SEAT FAILED. HOWEVER, THE LEATHER SEAT COVER HELD MY WEIGHT, BUT THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FAILED COMPLETELY. UNDER MANY CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT AND COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CONSIDERED THE FAILURE TO BE OF A SAFETY NATURE AND WELL OUTSIDE OF THE DEFINITION OF NORMAL WEAR. I REPORTED THIS FAILURE TO MY LOCAL LAND ROVER DEALER AND REQUESTED LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA BE ADVISED OF THIS UNUSUAL FAILURE. I PURCHASED TWO 1994 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY VEHICLES, NEW IN 1994. BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE NOW HAD THIS SAME FAILURE. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE FIELD OF SAFETY. MY PRIMARY FIELD IS AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS, BUT I HAVE DONE IN EXCESS OF FIFTY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10086921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesFayette, MECrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. . WHEELS LOCK WHEN TRAVELING ON A NON TRACTION ROAD. *AK....TWO YEAR'S AGO THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN TWO COLLISIONS DUE TO ABS FAILURE ON FRESH WET SNOW.
NHTSA complaint #10075795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wayne, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ABS BRAKE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10061757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DURING MANUFACTURE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FLEXIBLE GASKET SEALANT MATERIAL WAS USED TO SEAL THE OIL PAN TO THE ENGINE. THE EXCESS MATERIAL ENDED UP IN THE OIL PAN, AND WAS PICKED UP BY THE OIL PUMP. THIS MATERIAL BLOCKED THE OIL PUMP PICKUP SCREEN, STARVING THE ENGINE OF OIL UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY OVERHEATED, SEIZED, AND FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10005736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE EARLY MODEL YEAR LT230 TRANSFER CASE INPUT GEAR DID NOT PROVIDE FOR LUBRICATION TO THE MAINSHAFT. THIS CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE MAINSHAFT SPLINES, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE MAINSHAFT. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE EXCESSIVE LASH, AND CLONKING WHEN SHIFTING. ONCE THE MAINSHAFT FAILS, THERE IS NO POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN. THIS DEFECT WAS CORRECTED AT THE FACTORY WITH A CROSS-DRILLED GEAR IN 1997, BUT NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED. THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET.
NHTSA complaint #10005734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Larkspur, CO
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
THE TAIL DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THIS VEHICLE HAS SEVEN PASSENGER SEATS. TWO OF THESE SEATS MUST ENTER AND EXIT VIA THE TAIL (REAR) DOOR. THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DOOR LATCHES FAILED IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FOR EITHER SIDE. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT IN AN EMERGENCY THE REAR PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY IN EXITING THE VEHICLE. SIMILARLY, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WOULD HAVE HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY IN EXTRACTING ANYONE FROM THE REAR SEATS.
NHTSA complaint #750625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
MY STEERING ROD FELL OFF AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR! THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL AND RARE AND I THINK IT WARRANTS AN INQUIRY AND RESPONSE. THIS CAR IS SOLD AND ADVERTISED AS THE ULTIMATE RUGGED OFF ROAD VEHICLE. I DO NOT DRIVE UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS BUT RATHER ORDINARY CONDITIONS. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM IF I WERE DRIVING UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #749074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Beach, CA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (P235 70 R16) EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL TIRE SEPARATION, DEALER INFORMED THAT THE TIRE SHOULD BE CHANGED IMMEDIATELY, BUT LATER SAID THAT HE COULDN'T ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN A TIMELY MANNER AND LET THE CONSUMER DRIVE ON THE BAD TIRE, CONSUMER FEELS THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE TIRE SINCE IT WAS AN EMERGENCY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooksville, FLFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE ACTIVE HYDRAULIC CORNER ENHANCER WHICH PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM LEANING WHILE TURNING CORNERS BROKE, CAUSING HYDRAULIC FLUIDS TO RELEASE WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #859023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenbrae, CACrash
TIRES
CAR HYDROPLANED ON FREEWAY AND ROLLED ON TO LEFT SIDE
NHTSA complaint #717732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westport, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. ALSO, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE FAILURE CAUSED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #838405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westport, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. ALSO, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE FAILURE CAUSED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #838405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tracy, CA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE BODY MOUNTS ARE CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #545134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.