1990 Land Rover Range Rover: common problems

Owners of the 1990 Land Rover Range Rover filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 13
involving a crash: 2

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 31% of all complaints
2 Fuel system 23% of all complaints
3 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
5 Steering 8% of all complaints
6 Suspension 8% of all complaints
7 Tires 8% of all complaints
8 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (31% of all).
Fuel system: 3 complaints (23% of all).
Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Service brakes: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Steering: 1 complaints (8% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

3.9 L · petrol · 8 cyl
automatic, 4-speed

Drive: AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

fuel system, fuel smell2 · 15%
smoke, burning smell, fire2 · 15%
A/C or heater1 · 8%
overheating, coolant loss1 · 8%
rust, corrosion1 · 8%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Engine and cooling	4	0
Fuel system	3	0
Exterior lighting	1	0
Service brakes	1	0
Steering	1	0
Suspension	1	1
Tires	1	0
Vehicle speed control	1	1

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Vehicle accelerated suddenly, causing vehicle to run into a house. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2001-03-27 · NHTSA complaint #884251
Fuel leaked from the tank, the dealer stated the gas tank was corroded.
Fuel system · 2003-03-12 · NHTSA complaint #10011520
Consumer states that while driving the engine's heater coil exploded releasing extremely hot water. The consumer received 2nd and 3rd degree burns on legs as a result. Mr
Engine and cooling · 2002-10-11 · NHTSA complaint #8020700
This problem has occurred over and over and it has been examined by 2 dealerships and an independent mechanic and the engine eventually failed.
Engine and cooling · 2001-09-24 · NHTSA complaint #752409
Vehicle had a fuel leak. Took to dealer , and dealer stated there was a crack in seam of fuel tank, and fuel leaked around protective plate. Dealer replaced fuel tank at 98,000. Consumer stated at 158,000 miles vehicle had a fuel leak in same place. Please provide any further information.
Fuel system · 2001-06-13 · NHTSA complaint #890322
Recall 95v155000 was issued in 1996 for fuel tank. A few years later, same problem reoccurred. Contacted dealer, and dealer said they won't fix problem at no cost because it had been done already.
Fuel system · 2001-01-26 · NHTSA complaint #879084
To whom this may concern, my left rear tire on my 1990 range rover suffered a flat which caused damages uncommon for a flat. The tire after inspection elicited a rubber separation which caused substantial damages to my truck.
Tires · 2000-09-22 · NHTSA complaint #731452
While driving all of a sudden smoke started coming from engine area. Once vehicle was pulled over, igntion turned off, it burst into flames and burned up. Fire was put out by the fire department.
Engine and cooling · 2000-08-28 · NHTSA complaint #868910

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19962
19971
19992
20002
20014
20021
20031

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Range Rover has 25 complaints (41 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.

What to check before buying

Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Land Rover Range Rover?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (15%), smoke, burning smell, fire (15%), A/C or heater (8%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 Land Rover Range Rover?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1990 Land Rover Range Rover from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.