FaultScore

1996 Land Rover Discovery brake problems

23 of the 111 complaints about the 1996 Land Rover Discovery are about the braking system — 21% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,050 miles.

F

23

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 12 52.2%
Service Brakes 3 13.0%
Master Cylinder 2 8.7%
Pedals AND Linkages 1 4.3%
Power Assist 1 4.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 4.3%
Antilock 1 4.3%
Wheel Speed Sensor 1 4.3%
ABS Warning Light 1 4.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 150,000 miles Arcata, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

GAS TANK RECALL DONE IN SAN FRANCISCO BUT THEY FAILED TO CHECK THE FUEL FILLER NECK PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MYSTERY ISSUES EVER SINCE, RULING OUT THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP AS THEY WERE BOTH NEW. I HAVE SINCE TRACKED THE PROBLEM TO THE FUEL FILLER NECK THAT THE DEALER FAILED TO FIX. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND REPAIRED IN THE SAME MANNER. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT COME UP IN A RECALL SEARCH FOR THE FILLER NECK AND I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE MINE. I HAVE READ ALL 80 OF THE COMPLAINTS RELATIVE TO THIS PROBLEM AND MINE IS LESS THAN 40 UNITS AWAY FROM THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN BATTLING THE ABS PROBLEMS OF NOT STOPPING AND THE ABS ACTIVATION FOR NO REASON. I ALMOST WRECKED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF THE ABS KICKING ON FOR NO REASON- LOW SPEED, DRY PAVEMENT, EASY SOFT BRAKE PRESSURE. I CLIPPED THE FRONT WHEEL ABS SENSORS AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ABS SINCE. FAULTY SOFTWARE IN THE ABS ECU IS PROBABLY TO BLAME BUT IT WOULD DO NO GOOD TO BLAME THE COMPUTER WITH BODIERS LYING IN THE STREET.

NHTSA complaint #10895775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Arcata, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS SYSTEM IS FAULTY. ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS,DRY PAVEMENT, AND LOW OR HIGH PRESSURE ON PEDAL. I CAN HEAR THE PUMP ACTIVATE FOR NO REASON. I ALSO FEEL THE PEDAL VIBRATE AND THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO ROLL. ALMOST KILLED A PEDESTRIAN ONCE OR TWICE. AFTER IT DID THE SAME TO MY WIFE I CLIPPED THE SENSORS AND TOOK OUT THE LIGHT BULB IN THE DASHBOARD. I DRIVE BETTER THAN THE ABS ECU COMPUTES. NO PROBLEMS SINCE COMPLETELY DEACTIVATING AND UNPLUGGING SYSTEM. PLEASE INCLUDE NEW RANGES OF VEHICLES IN THESE RECALLS. I WILL BE POWERLESS TO HAVE THIS REIMBURSED OTHERWISE. ALSO NEED TO RE-EVALUATE RECALL RANGE FOR THE FUEL NECK FILLER PROBLEM. MY TRUCK WAS IN FOR THE TANK RECALL BUT THEY FAILED TO DO THE FILLER NECK AND I HAVE SPENT YEARS TRADING OUT IAC, THROTTLE SENSORS, AND MAF SENSORS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU SANFRANCISCO LAND ROVER. SARCASM INTENDED.

NHTSA complaint #10895778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles Seattle, WA

SERVICE BRAKES

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. UNDER NORMAL BRAKING ABS IS ACTIVATED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AND CAUSES BRAKES VIBRATE/PULSE AND MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP REQUIRING PUMPING OF BRAKE PEDAL. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN TURNING A CORNER, IE: OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN VERY LIKELY TO HIS PEDESTRIANS OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN UNABLE TO BREAK. AT HIGHER SPEEDS UP TO 25-30 MPH THE SAME SITUATION ARISES BUT YOU GENERALLY HAVE MORE TIME AND DISTANCE TO RECOVER. OTHERWISE BREAKS WORK MOST OF THE TIME, WHICH MAKES THIS GLITCH SO FRUSTRATING AND SEEMINGLY UNRELATED TO BREAK PAD OR WEAR AND TEAR ISSUES, AS SUBSTANTIATED BY SIMILAR NHTSA COMPLAINT #S: 882300, 8011620, 10028658, 10024539, 10110112.

NHTSA complaint #10652143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Traverse City, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS LIGHT IS ON. BRAKES APPEAR TO WORK NORMAL. OCCASIONAL, FOR NO APPEARANT REASON ABS KICKS ON AND CAUSES BRAKES VIBRATE/PULSE AND MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP. AFTER THAT FOR A SHORT PERIOD THE ABS LIGHT IS OFF. CLOSEST DEALER IS 3 HOURS AWAY AND I CAN'T FIND ANYONE AROUD TO LOOK AT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10110112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Prescott, AZ Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VERY POOR EMERGENCY BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS 30MPH AND SLOWER. WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKING IS REQUIRED LIKE IN A LEFT TURN LAND AND THE PRECEDING CAR DECIDES TO STOP INSTEAD OF COMPLETING THE LEFT TURN, YOU CANNOT STOP QUICKLY. AT HIGHER SPEEDS UP TO 25-30 MPH THE SAME SITUATION ARISES BUT YOU GENERALLY HAVE MORE TIME AND DISTANCE TO RECOVER.EHICLE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY INDEPENDEND GARAGES AND MOST RECENTLY, AGAIN, GONE OVER BY THE LANDROVER DEALER IN SCOTTSDALE AZ. I LIVE IN A HILLY AREA IN PRESCOTT AZ AND EVEN COMING OUT OF A STEEP DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, SUDDEN BRAKE APPLICATION CANNOT LOCK THE BRAKES OR CAUSE ABS TO OCCUR ON DRY PAVEMENT. PERSONAL OBSERVATION IS THE VEHICLE STOPS QUICKER ON WET PAVEMENT BECAUSE ABS HAPPENS. I HAVE USED THE INTERNET AND NEWSGROUPS AND THE IMPRESSION IS THE BRAKES ON THE OLDER DISCOVERY SERIES OF LANDROVERS, 1995-6-7 IS NOT GOOD. I WOULD SUSPECT THAT THE DAMAGE FROM A REAR END COLLISION WHERE I RAN INTO SOMEONE WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS, WAS PROBABLY MADE WORSE (1997). EMERGENCY BRAKING HAPPEND, BUT AS I HAVE DESCRIBED, BRAKING IS MARGINAL.

NHTSA complaint #10028658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Louis, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER HAS SAFETY CONCERN INVOLVING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ON A 1996 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY I. *MR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT IS OFF, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT IS ON, THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO STOP HOWEVER THERE ARE NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *TT

NHTSA complaint #10024539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillside, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. PROBLEM STILL EXITS. LEFT REAR TIRE SPEED SENSOR FAILED CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH ABS SYSTEM, CAUSING TIRE TO BLOW OUT. RESULTING IN LEFT REAR WHEEL/RIM TO BE COMPLETELY SHATTERED INTO PIECES. ALSO BRAKES AND CALIPERS TOTALLY DAMAGED. BRAKES ARE NOT SAFE OR RELIABLE. REAR,FIFTH DOOR HAS HINGE AND SECURE LOCKING PROBLEMS. MAJOR RUSTING ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10000897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillside, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. PROBLEM STILL EXITS. LEFT REAR TIRE SPEED SENSOR FAILED CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH ABS SYSTEM, CAUSING TIRE TO BLOW OUT. RESULTING IN LEFT REAR WHEEL/RIM TO BE COMPLETELY SHATTERED INTO PIECES. ALSO BRAKES AND CALIPERS TOTALLY DAMAGED. BRAKES ARE NOT SAFE OR RELIABLE. REAR,FIFTH DOOR HAS HINGE AND SECURE LOCKING PROBLEMS. MAJOR RUSTING ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10000897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillside, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. PROBLEM STILL EXITS. LEFT REAR TIRE SPEED SENSOR FAILED CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH ABS SYSTEM, CAUSING TIRE TO BLOW OUT. RESULTING IN LEFT REAR WHEEL/RIM TO BE COMPLETELY SHATTERED INTO PIECES. ALSO BRAKES AND CALIPERS TOTALLY DAMAGED. BRAKES ARE NOT SAFE OR RELIABLE. REAR,FIFTH DOOR HAS HINGE AND SECURE LOCKING PROBLEMS. MAJOR RUSTING ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10000897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #566267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELIABLE. *YH THE ABS ACTIVATED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #566267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cottage City, DC Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

BRAKES FALIED COMPREHENSIVELY WITH NO WARNING LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #763838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cottage City, DC Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES FALIED COMPREHENSIVELY WITH NO WARNING LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #763838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

UNDER NORMAL BRAKING ABS IS ACTIVATED. DEALER REPLACED RIGHT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP, SAME PART IS BEING REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8011620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlinda, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DURING NORMAL BRAKING, INTERMITTENTLY ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8011485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Concord, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, APPLYING THE BRAKES HAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE, ACCELERATING THE CAR WHILE CAUSING THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST TO FAIL. WITHOUT POWER ASSIST, BRAKING REQUIRES VERY HIGH PEDAL PRESSURE AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE CAR. THI

NHTSA complaint #748489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Rafael, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

FAILURE WITH THIS VEHICAL HAS BEEN WITH; BRAKES, STEERING, ENGINE, MIRROR, FUEL INJECTION, DOOR WINDOW NOT WORKING, DOOR LOCKS FAIL, LINKAGE CONTROL FOR SPEED

NHTSA complaint #748367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brighton, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ABS KICKS IN AND PEDAL STIFFENS. OWNER HAS TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL. ONLY HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY GOING DOWN HILL. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #882300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ooltewah, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #717770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plainview, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN VEHICLE HITS A BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES COLLAPSE, TAKING MUCH LONGER TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #528860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

WHEN TRUCK HITS BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL COLLAPSES. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES. NO SOLUTION.

NHTSA complaint #815070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Encino, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA complaint #602621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #603247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Land Rover Discovery problems

← Full 1996 Land Rover Discovery report