2003 Land Rover Range Rover

Routine

Owners filed 97 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › driveline › differential unit. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
66,103 milesMedian miles at failure

84 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit43
000
Power Train › Driveline11
000
Steering6
100
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft6
000
Service Brakes4
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Power Train4
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Electrical System2
010
Suspension › Multiple Axle1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft08V635000
Filed Dec 3, 200819,168 vehiclesLand Rover

Defect. LAND ROVER IS RECALLING 19,168 MY 2003-2005 RANGE ROVER VEHICLES. THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING SLEEVE AND THE PROPELLER SHAFT MAY BE MISALIGNED, RESULTING IN SPLINE WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. AS THE WEAR BETWEEN THE PROPELLER SHAFT AND THE DIFFERENTIAL SPLINE COUPLING PROGRESSES, NOISE AND VIBRATION ARE EXPECTED.

Risk. CONTINUED VEHICLE OPERATION CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN THE SPLINES SHEARING AND A LOSS OF DRIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN OF THE PROPELLER SHAFT, THE FLANGE KIT AND HEAT SHIELD KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800- 637-6837.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Jun 6, 2022119,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2003 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH on the highway, he felt a vibration and pulled over to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then failed to exceed 35 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 12, 2018116,000 milesNC

TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THE AIRBAG LIGHT JUST STAY ON.

Power Train
Filed Nov 10, 2017118,502 milesNE

DRIVING DOWN A ROAD LOST POWER AND MADE GRINDING NOISE.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2017170,000 milesMN

THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THE AC STOPPED WORKING AND REPLACED THE RESISTOR IN IT TWICE, THE SAME DAY IT WENT OUT A SECOND TIME THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL. THE NEXT WEEK I WAS DRIVING HOME AND WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND AS I ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE JERKED HARD AND PULLED BACK, AND WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING SOUND. IT CORRECTED BUT NOW IT KEEPS DOING IT. AND THE BRAKE FLUID A WEEK LATER LEAKED OUT AND I LOST POWER IN MY BRAKES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR!

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 21, 201783,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 21, 201783,000 milesPA

CAR SHIPPED FROM FLORIDA TO PITTSBURGH. UPON ARRIVING I DROVE THE VEHILCE ON THE STREET AND IT STOPPED AND HAD TO WAIT TO START AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS ONLY ABLE TO BE DRIVEN A MILE AT A TIME BEOFRE INCIDENT RECURRED. ABS BREAK LATE STAYED ON FROM THE BEGINNING. TO START VEHILCE TWO WIRES HAD TO BE CONNECTED TOGETHER.TRANSMISSION NOT FUNCTIONABLE, STARTING PROBLEM, BRAKE PROBLEM AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAD A MECHANIC VERIFY ALL PROBLEMS NOTED ABOVE TWO DAYS LATER.. RELAYED THE INFORMATION TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS RESOLVED.

Power Train
Filed Jun 13, 2016160,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO WAS MAKING A JERKING MOTION AND THE TRANSFER CASE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V635000 (POWER TRAIN) AND THE DRIVE SHAFT AND SPLINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

SteeringCrash
Filed Apr 12, 201581,800 milesUT

THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE TURNS BUT JUST MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND DOES NOT ACTUALLY TURN THE WHEELS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 20, 201478,450 milesVA

WHILE VEHICLE IS OPERATING, THE AIR SUSPENSION, ABS, BRAKE, HDC WARNINGS LIGHTS COME ON AND VEHICLE LOCKS FRONT RIGHT BREAK BY ITSELF WITHOUT ANY BRAKE BEING APPLIED, WHEN IS WET OR ICE ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SLIDES TOWARDS THE RIGHT. I CONTACTED LAND ROVER CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER TO REPORT THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING WITH THE VEHICLE AS THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPEAR AS PART OF THE RECALL FOR BAD YAW RATE SENSORS ON THEIR DATABASE. I KNOW NOW FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, THAT THIS A MAYOR SITUATION WITH MANY LAND ROVER OWNERS, BUT THE AUTOMAKER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR, FOR PEOPLE TO DIE DUE TO THIS DEFFECTIVE YAW RATE SENSORS? I HOPE THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING FOR ALL LAND ROVER OWNERS AND FINALLY GET LAND ROVER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND CORRECTLY ADDRESS THEM. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 1, 2014105,600 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL JUST DROPPED DOWN. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2014141,626 milesCA

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STOP MOVING AS IF ALL THE WHEELS LOCKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND HEATER HOSE BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,626. PM

Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2013NC

MY VEHICLE WAS DRIVING JUST FINE AND THEN THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO DRIVE IT WOULDN'T START,THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED MY DAD OVER WHO IS A MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED IT WAS MAYBE THE BATTERY.I ENDED UP CALLING ON M ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AND GET FIXED. THE MECHANIC AFTER A WEEK TOLD ME ABOUT MULTIPLE SCENARIOS IT COULD BE. AFTER DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START AND I DROVE IT TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. THIS MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND I DID AND NOW AFTER TWO MONTHS THE VEHICLE WILL STILL NOT START! SO THEN I LOOKED ONLINE SEARCHING FOR AN ANSWER AND THAT WHEN I DISCOVERED PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PEOPLE ONLINE POSTING IN FORUMS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO THE SAME ISSUES WITH THERE 03 RANGE ROVER ,WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUES SOUNDS MECHANICS TELLING THEM THE SAME DIAGNOSIS! I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION AFTER TALKING TO RANGE ROVER DIRECTLY THAT AFTER RUNNING MY VIN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BEFORE WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER!. AND ON THE FORUMS PEOPLE WERE SAYING THAT THEY DID THE SAME REPLACEMENTS OF PARTS AND IT EITHER WORKED IN SOME CASES OR OTHERS THE PROBLEM CAME BACK! SO I'VE CONCLUDED THAT RANGER ROVER SHOULD DO A FORMAL RECALL ON THIS PART. BECAUSE WHAT IF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY YOU STOP FOR GAS AND THEN YOUR CAR WILL JUST NOT START! *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2010106,911 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TILT AND TELESCOPING MOTORS FAILED AND WERE INOPERABLE. THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE TELESCOPING MOTOR WIRES TOGETHER FRACTURED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TELESCOPING MOTOR FELL BEHIND THE BRAKES AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO NOT FULLY ENGAGE WHEN BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE MOTORS FROM THE WIRES BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE MOTORS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,911.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 23, 201078,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER, RANGE ROVER HS3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE THEN DOWN SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR AND AS THE ACCELERATOR WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BECAME MORE RESISTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, PROPELLER ASSEMBLY AND THE YOKE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAD PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V635000 (POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DRIVESHAFT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 82,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVETRAIN WAS REPLACED TWICE, BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. OIL BECAME MIXED WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. UPDATED EVOQ 08/04/10*JB UPDATED 8/9/10 *CN UPDATED 08/11/10

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 7, 201070,000 milesGA

DRIVETRAIN FAILURE.L.R. KEPT DOWN SHIFTING BEFORE NOT PULLING AT ALL. DRIVETRAIN REPAIRED BUT DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ENGINE AFTER HIGH SPEED AT LOWER GEAR. LAND ROVER SWITCHED ENGINES AND FORGED SIGNATURE TO GET PAY FROM WARRANTY CO. AFTER I REFUSED TO HAVE THEM DO ANY MORE WORK FOR ME AFTER THEY LIED TO ME ABOUT REPAIRS.ENGINE WAS REBUILT AFTER L.R.TOLD ME THEY DO NOT REBUILD ENGINES. I FEEL THAT L.R. WENT THROUGH SOO MUCH TROUBLE TO COVER A RECALL. DRIVETRAIN WAS REPAIRED BEFORE RECALL AND THOSE REPAIRS FAILED ALSO. RECALL WAS PUT OUT IN JAN 09, I GOT MY R.R.BACK SAME MONTH WITH SWITCHED ENGINES. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 29, 200993,310 milesIN

TILT STEERING COLUMN FAILURE CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE FREELY. TELESCOPING FEATURE CAUSING FREE MOVEMENT OF STEERING WHEEL ON THE VERTICAL AXIS. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Sep 15, 200988,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 RANGE ROVER THAT I JUST BOUGHT USED 2 WEEKS EARLIER. AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR STARTED MAKING SEVERE GRINDING NOISES AND LOST POWER. I COULD NOT STEER THAT WELL AND WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I MANAGED TO GET BARELY ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS EVENT WAS WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THE CAR MADE THE WORST GRINDING NOISES IN THE WORLD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECALL ON IT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS A FAILED DRIVESHAFT / AXLE / DIFFERENTIAL OPERATION. BECAUSE IT WAS RECALLED, I HAD IT TOWED TO LAND ROVER AND THEY ARE NOW SAYING THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE AXLE IS REPAIRED, WHICH THEY SAY IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I BELIEVE IT IS PART OF THE RECALL AND THEY SHOULD BE COVERING THIS AT NO COST. I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND I THINK THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ALSO, WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN COSTA MESA, CA (HOUSE OF LUXURIES), THEY ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS TOTALLY CHECKED OUT AND HAD NO MECHANICAL OR OTHER ISSUES. NOW I AM VERY ANGRY WITH THEM FOR PLACING MY LIFE (AND OTHERS) AND MY CHILD'S LIFE IN DANGER BY NOT DISCLOSING THESE PROBLEMS, OR AT LEAST TELLING ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECALL AND TO REPAIR IT BEFORE I DRIVE. I AM HAPPY THAT I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL LATER BUT FEEL THAT THE BUSINESS I BOUGHT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS PRIOR TO THE SELL OF THE CAR AND IT COULD HAVE PLACED OUR LIVES AND OTH

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Jun 11, 200953,471 milesCA

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER FOR SAFETY RECALL. PART OF THE PROGRAM IS TO REIMBURSE FOR MONEY PAID IN THE PAST TO REPAIR PART. THE MANUFACTURER HAS STATED THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MUST BE INVOLVED TO REIMBURSE ME BUT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS NOT ASSISTING. IT IS LAND ROVER SAFETY RECALL P041 - FRONT DIFFERENTIAL TO PROPELLER SHAFT SPLINE WEAR. I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE NOW. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 9, 200992,000 milesTN

THE STEERING COLUMN, REACH MOTOR, IS GETTING STUCK. AND I HEARD THIS ISN'T 1ST COMPLAINT REGARDING, REACH MOTOR IN 04 LANDROVER RANGE ROVER, HSE. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 4, 200983,353 milesNY

I HAVE A 2003, RANGE ROVER HSE. THE AIR SUSPENSION INACTIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE WHEELS SHOOK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN (12/29/08). THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED AN ALIGNMENT. I GOT THE ALIGNMENT AND THEY CLEARED THE WARNING LIGHT (1/2/09). I LEFT AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE STILL FELT OUT OF ALIGNED. LATER THE WARNING LIGHT (AIR SUSPENSION INACTIVE) CAME ON ONCE AGAIN (1/15/09). THIS TIME THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL FAILED TO RAISE UP. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT COST ME $2900 (1/22/09). I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WHEELS STILL SHOOK. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN. RECENTLY, THE WARNING LIGHT (AIR SUSPENSION INACTIVE) ILLUMINATED ONCE AGAIN AND NONE OF THE WHEELS WOULD RAISE (2/22/09). I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NEVER ALIGNED AND THE WHEELS WERE NOT BALANCED. I HAD THE VEHICLE ALIGNED AND THE WHEELS BALANCED. THE VEHICLE IS AGAIN OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THE WHEELS SHAKE. I DO NOT WANT TO GET RIPPED OFF AGAIN, SO THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN MY GARAGE. *TR

20 of 97 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260300Routine
20259300Routine
202410802Fatalities reported
202321910Routine
20224800Routine
202112400Routine
202024410Routine
201915300Routine
201827410Routine
201762811Fatalities reported
2016731300Routine
201571800Routine
2014411000Routine
201326600Routine
201220410Routine
201115300Routine
201018510Routine
20095400Routine
200830300Routine
200714300Routine
200656230Routine
200536110Routine
200467110Routine
2003 — this page97110Routine
200214000Routine
20017100Routine
200026340Routine
199929520Routine
199824330Routine
199721360Routine
199635360Routine
199525720Routine
199410000Routine
199320000Routine
19926010Routine
19916300Routine
199013330Routine

Compare every Range Rover 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: Dec 3, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.