The Land Rover Range Rover is a model manufactured under the Land Rover brand and is a popular sports utility vehicle and off-road option for drivers worldwide. Its success since the late 90s and early 2000s officially put the Range Rover on the map in the United States.
The vehicle has been marketed as an off-road machine with top-tier luxury elements. In other countries, the vehicle is used widely as a typical 4×4 option. However, in America, it’s typically reserved for the well-to-do alongside other models like the Range Rover Evoque (marketed as a luxury subcompact) and even its sister marquee Jaguar cars.
Still, outdoor enthusiasts with the right budget to utilize it for its intended areas of efficiency and capability. Historically, the Range Rover has been a reliable model for Land Rover. However, no vehicle is without its issues. These are the Range Rover years you want to avoid.
2003 to 2004 Model Year Range Rover (3rd Generation)
Range Rovers were built with plenty of performance in mind, and came equipped with significant power, formidable towing capacity, and plenty of off-road capability. However, this 3rd generation Range Rover had an extremely high number of problems.
These model years are powered by a 4.4L V8 engine that generates 282 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission. It is capable of towing up to 7,700 lbs.
Unfortunately, the 2003 Range Rover can suffer from several issues. Several things can go wrong with the powertrain. To start, the differential unit can have some issues. Range Rover consumer reviews reported traveling at high speeds and the brakes locking up along with the transmission seizing, nearly causing an accident. This is about a $1,500 fix. The driveshaft can also fail suddenly without warning, which is about a $1,800 repair job. Drivers also report the front differential failing, leading to a $2,500 repair bill.
Another issue with these model years is with the air suspension system. While it provides a smooth ride, the air suspensions can leak. The leaking air springs problems cost a whopping $2,900 to fix.
2006 to 2008 Model Year Range Rover (3rd Generation)
The 2006 to 2008 Range Rovers continued to gain steam as a luxury SUV in the United States, despite the continuing mechanical problems that plagued the model. Still considered 3rd generation, these particular Land Rovers just couldn’t seem to get it right. Because the Range Rover generation remains the same between the ’03 and ’06 models, not much has changed.
Small tweaks were made, but nothing significant – and obviously nothing that warranted much improvement. This was also the first year the Range Rover Sport entered the lineup – equipped with multiple changes including a lighter frame and V6 engine option.
The SUV is powered by a 4.4L V8 capable of delivering 305 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. It features a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission and can pull up to 7,716 maximum towing capacity.
Unfortunately, these model years suffer from major electrical issues. The fuel level sensor electrical connector, positioned on top of the fuel pump directly above the fuel tank, overheats and melts the plastic surrounding feed through pins. This has happened continuously for many owners, even after several replacements. The overall cost is about $1,500 each time.
The steering column on these Land Rover Range Rovers also went bad and ultimately stopped recognizing the key. This costs consumers between $8,200 and $10,000 to repair, which didn’t bode well for Range Rover ratings.
Land Rover also issued a recall because of rupturing brake hoses causing brake failure.
2014 Model Year Range Rover (4th Generation)
The 2014 Land Rover Range Rover was part of the subsequent generation beyond the first two models, and had some pretty substantial upgrades in the mechanical and cosmetic areas. With more of an exterior design focused more on luxury and sophistication, the model continued to cater to the luxury market. Problems lingered with these Range Rovers, including more transmission and airbag issues.
This year was also the release of the 2nd generation Range Rover Sport. One notable difference in the standard Edition Land Rover Range Rover was the fact a smaller motor was available and there were increases in fuel economy. However, it still wasn’t enough to make up for the problems associated with the Range Rover classic.
This model year came with a 3.0L V6 engine capable of delivering 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The 2014 year features a 8-speed shiftable auto transmission and a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 lbs.
As for problems, this Land Rover’s electrical systems had significant issues. Problems were reported on multiple parts of the electrical system so it’s hard to pin down a specific cost for repairs. Because of the widespread issues, the maintenance costs for the 2014 Land Rover Range Rover were high. This is most likely caused by poor build quality. To top it off, the issues were happening in low mileage cars (30,000 miles or less)
Land Rover also recalled this Range Rover model year. The transmission sensor cluster had insufficient crimps to connect to the wire harness.
Common Problems With the Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover had unique issues during these troubled years – however, certain components seemed to be a recurring theme throughout all used Range Rover models. The most common problems across all Land Rover Range Rover models include:
- Electrical issues
- Transmission problems
- Brake issues
Land Rover Range Rover: Quality 4×4 or Overpriced Money Pit?
While these issues make the Land Rover Range Rover look much worse than it really is, it’s still been a reliable SUV. The Land Rover namesake has generally been synonymous with high performance and off-road capability, and this model isn’t much different.
The Land Rover is still a dominant player in the SUV industry with cutting edge design and technology. As long as you stay away from the models mentioned above, purchasing a used Range Rover isn’t a bad idea – and generally, you can find one for a pretty good deal if you peruse the used car market thoroughly enough.
Overall, you should expect to pay anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000 for a used Range Rover, depending on the model.
