1996 Land Rover Range Rover problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover get?

The 1996 Land Rover Range Rover has U.S. EPA estimates of 12–13 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

1996 Land Rover Range Rover at a glance

Safety recalls3

Owner complaints39

Combined12–13 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Land Rover Range Rover recalls 3

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings NHTSA Campaign #00V328000 · manufacturer #D221/D222 · 16/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN AREAS WHERE THE COOLANT COULD BE SUBJECTED TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES.

Fix: DEALERS WILL MAKE A SERIES OF MODIFICATIONS TO SEVERAL UNDERHOOD HOSE COMPONENTS TO ELIMINATE THE RELEASE OF ENGINE COOLANT.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #99V007000 · 19/01/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. AS A RESULT OF WATER INGRESS AND SUBSEQUENT ICE BLOCKAGE, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHER TUBE CAN BECOME CLOGGED, EXPELLING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE DIPSTICK TUBE ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION BREATHER TUBE FROM THE INNER FENDER AND A SECTION OF THE HOSE WILL BE CUT AT AN ANGLE. THIS ACTION WILL REMOVE THE END OF THE BREATHER TUBE FROM ANY POOLED WATER AND WILL ELIMINATE WATER DROPLETS FROM CLINGING TO THE END OF THE TUBE.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #98V149000 · 01/07/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. CERTAIN UNDERHOOD HOSE AND TUBING COMPONENTS CAN FAIL ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK, SUCH AS ENGINE COOLANT, WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THESE COMPONENTS. NOTE THAT NOT ALL COMPONENTS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Land Rover Range Rover common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Visibility

Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

Latches/locks/linkages

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

1996 Land Rover Range Rover MPG & running costs

Combined12–13 mpg

City11 mpg

Highway16 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$6,575

EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$20,875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Land Rover Range Rover costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$32,875

Fuel only$32,875

Per mile$0.44

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length

185.4–185.8 in

Width

74.0 in

Height

71.7 in

Wheelbase

108.3 in

Curb weight

4,960 lb

Front track

60.6 in

Rear track

60.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

UNDERHOOD FIRES Closed

ALLEGED OWNERS REPORT THAT FLAMES ERUPT UNDERHOOD, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN

NHTSA #EA97028 · Electrical System · opened Dec 1997 · closed Jul 1998

UNDERHOOD FIRES Closed

Alleged flame erupted under the hood, while the vehicle wer being driven

NHTSA #PE97039 · Electrical System · opened Aug 1997 · closed Dec 1997

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 25

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 25.

The 'Service Required' warning text will not appear on the Instrument Cluster (IC) if a vehicle has reached its service point.

Bulletin SFCC_08MAR18_16 · Electrical System · Mar 2018

Presentation from Dealer Shop Foreman Conference Call

Bulletin SFCC-14SEP17 · Equipment · Sep 2017

"ISSUE: REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED OF ENGINE DAMAGE OCCURRING, WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE USE OF NON-APPROVED ENGINE INDUCTION / FUEL INJECTION CLEANING EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ""VACU-FLUSH"" TYPE EQUIPMENT. CAUSE: THE USE OF…

Bulletin SSM56457 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine · Oct 2014

Technical Bulletin: Squeaks & Rattles Kit Availability

Bulletin LTB00389NAS3 · Equipment · Nov 2013

AIR SUSPENSION DIAGNOSTIC GUIDELINES-INCORRECTLY DIAGNOSED EAS SYSTEM FAULTS. *SC

Bulletin 600105 · Suspension · Mar 2005

STEERING SYSTEM GROAN. *TT

Bulletin 035701 · Steering · Mar 2003

SUBJECT REGARDING RECALL D236 - CATALYST INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT. *TT

Bulletin SA0RE01 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2002

VEHICLE EMISSIONS RECALL ACTION D236 FOR CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING OF LOOSE CATALYST BRICKS RATTLE NOISE FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TT

Bulletin SRE0201 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2002

INFORMATION REGARDING CATALYST DEGRADATION CAN LEAD TO NOISE AND MIL ILLUMINATION. *YH

Bulletin D236 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2002

LAND ROVER HAS DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN UNDER-HOOD HOSES AND TUBING COMPONENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE AND REPAIR OF CERTAIN VEHICLES PRIOR TO VIN XA410481 COULD FAIL IN SERVICE. THE RESULTING LOSS OF FLUID FROM THESE COMPONENTS REPRESENTS A RISK OF FIRE UNDER…

Bulletin SRE0007 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2000

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the RANGE ROVER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Engine

CERTAIN UNDER-HOOD HOSE AND TUBING COMPONENTS (PRIMARILY COOLANT HOSES) CAN FAIL. UNINTENDED RELEASE OF FLUIDS SUCH AS ENGINE COOLANT, WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN LEAD TO CONDITIONS WHICH CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: A SERIES OF MODIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE TO SEVERAL UNDER-HOOD COMPONENTS TO ELIMINATE THE RELEASE OF SUCH FLUIDS AND IMPR…

Transport Canada #1998148 · Jul 1998

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Land Rover Range Rover

Range Rover is a 4×4 luxury marque and sub-brand of Jaguar Land Rover. The Range Rover line was launched in 1970 by British Leyland and since 2022 is in its fifth generation.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1996 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles on record

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMJ4VA350829

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMJ4TA345137

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW4TA339770

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8TA339703

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLJGMM8VA713753

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALPE1248TA335567

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMA8TA330102

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMJ4TA322819

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMJ4MA307947

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALPV1243TA338327

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSAPLLPAM4TA316231

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMA4TA344215

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8TA337102

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8TA337004

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW4TA334752

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8TA344837

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMJ4TA333835

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8TA337474

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8TA339009

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8TA321747

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8VA350663

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMC4TA332571

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMW8TA344851

1996 Land Rover Range RoverSALLPAMJ4TA335287

Other Land Rover Range Rover model years

1996 Land Rover Range Rover — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover?

Across all 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, suspension, visibility.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Land Rover Range Rover get?

The 1996 Land Rover Range Rover has U.S. EPA estimates of 12–13 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.