Land Rover Range Rover: common faults & what to check
Thinking about buying a used Land Rover Range Rover (2002–2024) in New Zealand? We've documented 23 known faults for this model spanning engine, fluid leaks, electrical, and suspension. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
23
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$700–$3,800
Typical repair
6
Systems covered
Known Land Rover Range Rover faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
013.0 TDV6 crankshaft bearing rotation — the engine-ending fault
CriticalOccasionalEngine $9,000–$32,000 to fix
This is the most serious failure in the L405 diesel range and it deserves to be treated as a deal-breaker rather than a bargaining point. Land Rover issued a service bulletin to dealers in 2014 covering crankshaft and crankshaft bearing failure on the TDV6, attributed mainly to main bearing shells being incorrectly located during assembly, or rotating in their housings during normal use. Once a shell turns it blocks its own oil feed, the oil film collapses and the crank journal is destroyed in short order. The crankshaft in this engine is compact and narrow, which leaves little margin between the rod journals and the counterweights. Because the outcome is a replacement engine in a vehicle where that job runs into five figures, the early warning signs are worth far more attention here than on almost any other car: a low rhythmic knock from the bottom of the engine, and an oil pressure light that flickers.
Symptoms to notice
Low rhythmic knock or rumble from the bottom of the engine, worst on start-up
Oil pressure warning light flickering, especially at idle when hot
Metallic glitter or shards in the oil or on the drain plug
Rough running or a noticeable loss of power
Noise that rises and falls with engine speed rather than road speed
What to check
Be there for a stone-cold start and listen before anything else happens. Stand at the front with the bonnet up as it fires and listen to the bottom of the engine, not the top: a deep, rhythmic knock or rumble in the first seconds, even if it fades, is the sign that matters and it is the reason to walk away rather than negotiate. Let it idle until warm and watch the dash constantly for the oil pressure light — a flicker at hot idle is significant on this engine in a way it is not on many others. Take the oil filler cap off and look at the underside and the oil on the dipstick for a metallic glitter in the film. Ask for the full service history and read the oil change intervals rather than accepting a summary; ask specifically whether the engine has ever been apart, rebuilt or replaced, and whether the car has ever been to a Land Rover dealer for engine noise. Given the cost of being wrong on this one car, treat any uncertainty as a reason not to proceed. If a workshop inspection is possible: an oil pressure test and an oil sample analysis are the two things worth paying for here, and either will find it before you own it.
Where to look: Bottom of the engine — crankshaft main and big-end bearing shells
Ask the seller
“Is there any knock or rumble from the engine on a cold start?”
“Has the oil pressure light ever come on, even briefly?”
“Has the engine ever been rebuilt or replaced, and can I see the invoice?”
02Electrical and module gremlins (L322)
MinorCommonElectrical $200–$2,500 to fix
The L322 packed cutting-edge electronics for its era (early BMW-based, later Jaguar/Ford), and ageing examples suffer a broad range of electrical gremlins: parking sensors, comfort/body control modules, blend-door and climate faults, TV/nav lock-ups and door lock actuators. Individually minor, together they make a neglected L322 frustrating and costly to sort.
Symptoms to notice
Random warning lights and error messages
Central locking, windows or mirrors acting up
Climate control blowing wrong temperature/zone
Nav/screen freezing or rebooting
What to check
Systematically test every electrical feature: all windows, locks, mirrors, seats, climate zones, parking sensors, screen and cameras. Note anything intermittent. Ask to see a recent diagnostic scan for stored fault codes across the modules. A car with a long list of small electrical faults will cost more than its price to make right.
Where to look: Body control and comfort modules, climate unit, door modules throughout the car
Ask the seller
“Can I see a full diagnostic scan?”
“Which electrical faults are you aware of?”
“Do all comfort features work?”
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
Fluid LeaksCritical
Fluid LeaksCritical
ElectricalCritical
SuspensionMajor
SuspensionMajor
SuspensionMajor
SuspensionMajor
SuspensionMajor
SuspensionMajor
TransmissionMajor
CoolingMajor
EngineMajor
ElectricalMajor
ElectricalMajor
ElectricalMinor
ElectricalMinor
ElectricalMinor
21 more documented faults on the Land Rover Range Rover
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 23 documented faults for the Land Rover Range Rover, the recurring problem areas are engine, fluid leaks, and electrical. A Land Rover Range Rover with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Range Rover?
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We've catalogued 23 known faults for the Land Rover Range Rover, covering engine, fluid leaks, and electrical. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Land Rover Range Rover?
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Most single repairs on the Land Rover Range Rover fall between $700–$3,800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 23 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Land Rover Range Rover?
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Yes. A Land Rover Range Rover inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.