2008 Land Rover LR2

Routine

Owners filed 85 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
67,000 milesMedian miles at failure

72 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train31
000
Electrical System9
000
Engine8
010
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly4
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Suspension3
000
Steering3
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System3
000
Visibility/Wiper2
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly08V055000
Filed Feb 5, 200812,353 vehiclesLand Rover

Defect. LAND ROVER IS RECALLING 12,353 MY 2008 LR2 VEHICLES BUILT WITH A SUNROOF. FAILURE OF EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND SIDE SUNROOF GUIDE RAIL CAN OCCUR WHEN THE SUNROOF IS OPERATED. EXCESSIVE STRESS CAN DEVELOP IN THE OVER-MOLDED BRACKET WHICH COULD LEAD TO CRACKING DURING NORMAL SUNROOF OPERATION. IF CRACKS OCCUR AND PROPAGATE IN A CERTAIN AREA OF THE GUIDE RAIL, FRAGMENTS OF THE PLASTIC OVER-MOLD MATERIAL MAY DETACH FROM THE GUIDE RAIL AND OBSTRUCT THE OPERATION OF THE SUNROOF.

Risk. THE OBSTRUCTION COULD CAUSE THE SUNROOF, WHEN OPERATED, TO BIND, TWIST, AND POTENTIALLY DETACH FROM THE OPERATING MECHANISM. IF THE SUNROOF IS SUBSEQUENTLY CYCLED AND A VERTICAL FORCE APPLIED, I.E., A CUSTOMER MANUALLY AIDING THE ROOF TO CLOSE OR WIND LIFT, THE GLASS PANEL CAN BECOME FULLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL RETENTION INSERTS TO BOTH SIDES OF THE GLASS PANEL GUIDE RAILS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Dec 7, 2025PA

My rear differential failed at 43k. This has been a common problem for LandRover 2008 LR2. The repair is costing me 5k to repair.

Steering
Filed Jan 20, 2025MD

Ongoing problem with car not starting because of "steering wheel lock" message. Took to dealership first time and they replaced 2 fobs ($600) and starter ($2700). After 2 months same message came back on and car wouldn't start. I was left stranded in a parking lot at night. Took back to dealership again and they said they needed to replace the body control module ($2640). Now 3 months later same issue (car won't start with steering wheel locked message) and dealership is now saying the steering lock needs to be replaced and in order to do that they have to replace the whole steering column!!! ($2900) I believe they have ripped me off because they failed to tell me all of these things when I first took the vehicle in, since the same message appeared each time I took it in!!! Reading the forums this issue has been ongoing since 2016 with this vehicle so why hasn't a recall been issued!!!!???? My vehicle is still not working and I believe Land Rover owe me some money or pay for the 3rd repair!!!!! This is definitely a safety issue because you never know when the vehicle will stop running. Out of no where without any warning, the vehicle will not start and you will be left stranded!!!!!

Electrical System
Filed May 28, 2023NC

I bought the 2008 Land Rover LR2 3 years ago and since then I've had to replace the motor transmission hoses tons of modules starter alternator and three batteries in the past year if that's not worse or bad enough I've spent $8,000 and I only paid five forts but the biggest problem now that I'm facing is the battery has gone or the vehicle is going into what's called a crash mode because the battery has a parasitic drain that Land Rover knows about and is a bulletin about but they will not cover or fix or give me any help whatsoever that I've called numerous times to wear the battery drops to certain below a certain voltage and will not communicate with the BCM control module so until then I have to get a software update that's going to cost about $400 in the closest Land Rover dealership is 2 hours away which is going to be another $500 to have it towed there I put three batteries in this vehicle and all three batteries have been drained immediately and there's a software update that they know about and they're admitting in a bulletin but they will not fix or cover and I'm at my wits and I put $8,000 in this vehicle and it's been on the road 4 months in the past 3 years and I have documentation paperwork for all the amount of fixes I've had done to it to prove my purchases my batteries and everything all I'm trying to do is get this software update done on my vehicle so that I can try and sell it or get it back on the road because I have not been able to drive it for 3 year

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Mar 17, 202339,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2008 Land Rover LR2. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making either a right or left turn, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000. The contact stated the rear differential had to be replaced in the amount of $3400.

Power Train
Filed Dec 3, 2022FL

I have a 2008 Land Rover LR2 in mint condition and regularly maintained by a Land Rover dealer and purchased new from a LR dealer in Pittsburgh. It only has 39K miles and always parked indoors. Last year I noticed a humming, grinding sound coming from the rear wheels.I took it twice to the Fort Myers Florida LR dealer for service but they could not find the problem other than that the differential needed flushing (unusual for 39K miles). Finally took it to LR dealer two weeks ago in Naples, Florida and it was determined that the rear differential needed replacement. It was explained to me by the Asst. Service Mgr. that it was not safe to drive as the wheels could seize and cause an accident. No warning lamps indicated the problem. Land Rover refused to pay for replacement ($10K quoted cost) citing 4 year warranty period was over despite way below 50K mile warranty. Discovered over 30 similar problems reported on LR2 model on "carcomplaints.com".

Electrical System › Body Control Module/Bcm
Filed Nov 22, 202189,000 milesIL

The contact owns a 2008 Land Rover LR2. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start with the key in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with body control module failure. The body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 15, 2021MT

THE SUNROOF SIDE RAILS HAVE BROKEN AND THE PLASTIC PIECES ARE LODGED IN THE SUNROOF. IT WILL NOT OPERATE AND SEEMS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

EngineFire
Filed Sep 29, 2020208,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 LAND ROVER LR2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AS THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, BLACK SMOKE HAD COME THROUGH THE PASSENGER AIR VENTS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A TRANSPORTATION SERVICE VEHICLE HAPPENED TO BE BEHIND AND WITNESSED THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE OFFICER ASSISTED HIM WITH THE FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE AND WAS INITIALLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. LATER ON, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LAND ROVER DENVER(6160 S BROADWAY, LITTLETON, CO 80121). THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAD YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jun 12, 2020146,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LAND ROVER LR2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF CEASED IN THE OPENED POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE TRACK WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAND ROVER BIRMINGHAM LOCATED AT 3000 TOM WILLIAMS WAY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35210, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A SPECIALIST WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 14, 202036,000 milesFL

HUMMING NOISE WHEN DRIVING DUE TO FAULTY DIFFERENTIAL. ONLY HAS 40,099 MILES....ALSO STARTS SOME DAYS AND OTHER DAYS MAY TAKE UP TO 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WILL START WITHOUT DYING. TOOK TO SEVERAL SHOPS THAT SAID THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT PROBLEM AND THEY CALLED LANDROVER ONLY TO BE TOLD, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NO ONE SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND TO FIX IT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 YEARS AND NO ONE CAN FIX.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 22, 201985,389 milesNY

MY AUTOMOBILE'S BATTERY DIES (I HAVE BOUGHT 2 NEW BATTERIES) OR RUNS OUT OF CHARGE WHEN IT GETS TOO COLD OR WHEN I DO NOT DRIVE IT FOR 3 DAYS OR MORE. SOMETIMES, AS I AM DRIVING IT ON A HIGHWAY, IT JUST CUTS OFF, AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES AND START IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT STARTS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THEN I HAVE TO WAIT LONGER.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 15, 201967,000 milesNY

THE WINDSHIELD IS SEPARATING FROM THE GLASS, AND GETTING SMALL CRACKS TOO AT THE EDGES, WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS BREAKING DIRECTLY WHILE DRIVING ANYTIME. I DON'T EXACTLY WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED, BUT NOTICED IT NOW.

Power Train
Filed Oct 8, 2019135,000 milesNY

PREMATURE FAILURE OF BEARINGS, RACES AND GEARS IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL.

Power Train
Filed Jun 27, 2019119,000 milesIL

I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2017 WITH 101,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 119,000. AS OF 24 JUN 2019, THE REAR END BEGAN MAKING A NOISE WHILE TURNING. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL IMPORT REPAIR SHOP. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH ZIP-TIES. ZIP. TIES. AS I HAVE NEVER HAD WORK DONE ON THE REAR END OF THE CAR, THAT MEANS THAT THE ZIP-TIES WERE PUT ON BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN BUT THE REAL QUESTION IS THIS: HOW LONG IS A DIFFERENTIAL SUPPOSED TO LAST? THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CURRENTLY LOCKED INTO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME. THE DIFFERENTIAL ALONE WILL COST $4900. THE FLUIDS WILL COST $40. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE NUMBER OF HOURS OF LABOR BUT IT WON'T BE OVER A DAY. SO LET'S SAY A DAY OF LABOR WOULD BE 8 HRS AT A RATE OF $120/HOUR. 4900+40+960 = 5900. RIGHT NOW, MY VEHICLE IS ONLY WORTH 2,200. I OWE NO LOAN BUT I AM UPSIDE-DOWN NONETHELESS. THIS IS NOT WEAR AND TEAR. THIS DIFFERENTIAL WAS POORLY DESIGNED. THE POOR DESIGN WAS EXACERBATED WHEN THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS NOT DEALT WITH. IF NOT REPLACED, THE LOCKED DIFFERENTIAL WILL DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION. THEN WHAT WILL I DO?

Power Train
Filed Dec 5, 2018165,082 milesCA

"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN MOVING AT LOW OR REGULAR SPEED AND TURNING, THERE IS A RUMBLING STUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS THE ISSUE. ON RESEARCHING THE LAND-ROVER FORUM, I FOUND THAT MY ISSUE WAS NOT PECULIAR TO ME ALONE BUT IT WAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH OTHER 2008 LR2 OWNERS AND COSTLY TO CHANGE TOO. HOWEVER LAND-ROVER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN LTB00342 (ISSUE 3) IN AUG 2011) ABOUT THIS. WHY NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAULTY REAR DIFFERENTIAL OR FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE

Power Train
Filed Sep 21, 2018150,000 milesMO

MY WIFE AND I STARTED NOTICING A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE THAT SEEMS TO SLOWLY BE GETTING WORSE. THEN WE STARTED GETTING A TRANSMISSION FAULT ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASH. STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS BEFORE THEIR REAR DIFFERENTIAL GOES OUT COMPLETELY. WE ARE DRIVING THE LR2 ACROSS COUNTRY A FEW TIMES THIS NEXT YEAR. IT'S PROBALY GOING TO GO OUT AT SOME POINT. IF THIS IS SUCH A WELL KNOWN ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN ISSUED!

Power Train
Filed Aug 9, 2018105,000 milesPA

LIKE 1000S OF OTHER OWNERS, MY LR2 NEEDS REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. WHY NHTSA HAS NOT REVIEWED THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. THE VOLVO'S BUILT WITH SAME DESIGN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILING AS WELL. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR $2400-3000.. HAS THE NHTSA EVEN LOOKED INTO THIS? THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND I'M READING BLOGS WHERE MANY PEOPLE ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES N GIVING EACH OTHER 'TRIAL N ERROR' TIPS. OTHERS ARE POSTING ASKING WHAT'S THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN IF THEY DON'T DO THE REPAIRS. WELL, THE TRANSMISSION CAN LOCK UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SO WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE AT LEAST CONSIDERED? THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY SIMILAR TO TOYOTA PRIUS RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. AND IT TOOK HOW MANY DEATHS BEFORE A RECALL WAS ISSUED?? OR FORD PINTO CASE SAD THING HERE IS... NHTSA SHOULD BE LISTENING TO THE CONSUMERS! YET SEEMS LIKE NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED OR MAYBE FORGOTTEN....

Power Train
Filed Jul 9, 2018130,000 milesFL

REAR DIFFERENTIAL

Power Train
Filed Jun 18, 2018122,076 milesAZ

THERE IS A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEN GOING 25MPH+

Power Train
Filed Feb 22, 2018110,000 milesCO

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION AND SAFETY OF ANYONE IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE.

20 of 85 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20156100Routine
20148100Routine
201312100Routine
20126200Routine
201113200Routine
201021200Routine
200930000Routine
2008 — this page85120Routine

Compare every LR2 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 5, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.