Land Rover Range Rover Sport L494: common faults & what to check

You're looking at the L494

3 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

2013–2022L494 Selected2013–2022L4943.0 SDV6Fuel not statedDocumented issues10 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: M 93 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de.

2013–2022L494 Selected2013–2022L4943.0 supercharged petrolPetrolDocumented issues9 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: M 93 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de.

2013–2022L494 Selected2013–2022L4945.0 supercharged V8 (SVR)Fuel not statedDocumented issues10 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: M 93 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Land Rover Range Rover Sport

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Land Rover Range Rover Sport before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Ask for proof the door latch recall (PRA 2015/14848) was done, or have a Land Rover dealer check the VIN.

  See why

  Door latch recall PRA 2015/14848: doors may not stay shut (L494 Range Rover Sport, 2013-2015)

  On the early L494 Range Rover Sport (all engines, built March 2012 to May 2015) the doors may fail to catch on either the primary or secondary latch, so a door that looks shut could open while driving. Land Rover Australia recalled these cars under PRA 2015/14848 and the fix is free at a Land Rover dealer.

  What you would notice

  • Door open warning on the dash after closing
  • Door needs several attempts to shut
  • Door rattles or is not flush

  Typically $0–$1,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Park the vehicle and return after 30-60 minutes — note if the front drops relative to rear.

  See why

  Front Air Spring Bladder Failure & Nose Drop

  The L494 Range Rover Sport uses an electronic air suspension system (EAS) with rubber-bellows air spring assemblies at all four corners. The front air spring bladders are particularly prone to cracking and delamination at the fold zones and at the crimped upper and lower end caps, causing slow or sudden loss of air pressure. The front of the vehicle droops overnight or while parked, often sitting 60-100 mm below normal ride height by morning. The air compressor runs excessively trying to compensate and can itself fail prematurely as a secondary consequence. A failed front bladder renders the vehicle unable to raise to off-road or access height, may trigger suspension fault warnings, and makes the vehicle undriveable in severe cases. Bladder perishing is accelerated by UV exposure, ozone, and vehicles that spend long periods at low ride height (e.g., parked on low or off setting).

  What you would notice

  • Vehicle nose sitting noticeably lower than rear after parking overnight or for several hours
  • Air suspension warning on instrument cluster: 'Suspension fault — normal mode only'
  • Air compressor audible running for extended periods after startup attempting to inflate springs
  • Vehicle unable to raise to Off-Road or Access height modes
  • Harsh, bouncy ride at front — loss of characteristic air suspension compliance
  • Air compressor thermal cutout fault logged in suspension module

  Typically $1,800–$4,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Park on level ground, leave overnight, and check ride height before starting.

  See why

  Air Suspension Compressor Failure and Strut Bag Puncture

  Both the L320 (2005-2013) and L494 (2013-2022) Range Rover Sport use air suspension as standard. The compressor overworks to compensate for ageing or punctured strut bags and burns out. Air bags fail from road debris or rubber degradation. The L494 adds corner-specific height sensors and a more complex valve block introducing additional failure points beyond the compressor. Overnight sag is the classic presentation. The compressor is a consumable item on high-mileage examples of both generations.

  What you would notice

  • Vehicle sagging on one or more corners after overnight parking
  • Air suspension warning message on dash
  • Compressor running excessively or failing to activate
  • Vehicle unable to raise to normal or high ride height mode

  Typically $900–$3,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check the car sits level after standing and rises evenly on start-up without a warning.

  See why

  Air suspension air-spring and compressor faults (L494)

  The L494 uses air suspension and, like other Range Rovers, is known for air-spring leaks and compressor problems as it ages. A seeping air spring makes the compressor short-cycle and overheat; the car then sags after standing, warns of a suspension fault or sits low. Fixing only the compressor without curing the leak repeats the failure.

  What you would notice

  • A corner low after standing overnight
  • 'Suspension fault' or won't-raise message
  • Compressor running noticeably long
  • Harsh ride at a fixed height

  Typically $800–$4,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check transfer case fluid level via the filler plug — fluid should be at the bottom of the filler hole and clear amber/red.

  See why

  Transfer Case PTO Oil Seal Failure & 4WD Fault

  The L494 Range Rover Sport uses a two-speed transfer case with a power take-off (PTO) unit that drives front and rear differentials via the Terrain Response all-wheel drive system. The PTO output oil seals, particularly at the front output shaft and the rear PTO housing interface, are a documented wear point on higher-mileage examples. Seal degradation allows transfer case oil to leak onto the underside of the vehicle, resulting in low fluid levels that cause abnormal PTO wear, gear whine, and engagement hesitation. When fluid drops sufficiently the Terrain Response system logs 4WD faults and may restrict the vehicle to a fixed high-ratio 4WD mode or trigger a warning to avoid high-speed driving. In some cases the differential lock and low range functions become unavailable. The seal replacement itself is straightforward but requires transmission and transfer case fluid renewal and a Terrain Response calibration reset.

  What you would notice

  • Oil drips or puddle under the centre of the vehicle, between the engine and rear axle
  • Terrain Response or 4WD warning on instrument cluster
  • Whining or humming noise from centre of vehicle at highway speed that varies with load
  • Difficulty engaging or disengaging low range or differential lock
  • Burning oil smell from underside after highway driving
  • Transfer case fluid noticeably low or contaminated on inspection

  Typically $1,200–$3,200 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Open the tailgate fully — either manually or via power — and release it at the fully open position.

  See why

  Power Tailgate Hydraulic Strut Failure & Drop

  The L494 Range Rover Sport is fitted with a powered tailgate system using hydraulic gas struts to support and operate the heavy tailgate lid. The hydraulic struts lose pressure over time through micro-seepage at the piston rod seal, and are particularly vulnerable to UV degradation of the rubber end bushings. A weakening strut allows the tailgate to drift downward when released, and a fully failed strut results in the tailgate falling under its own weight — a significant safety hazard capable of causing head or neck injuries. The failure is progressive: initially the tailgate may fail to hold fully open, then it drops slowly, then rapidly. In cold temperatures the hydraulic fluid thickens and masks the fault temporarily. The power actuator motor can also be overloaded trying to compensate for failing struts, leading to secondary motor burnout. Replacement is typically done in pairs to maintain even support.

  What you would notice

  • Tailgate drifting downward when released and not staying in the fully open position
  • Tailgate falling suddenly under its own weight when opened manually or after power opening
  • Tailgate power motor straining sound or failing to fully open in cold weather
  • Tailgate warning chime or fault message: 'Tailgate not fully open'
  • Visible oil film or residue on the strut body near the seal area
  • Tailgate closing more slowly or less positively than when new

  Typically $550–$1,900 to put right.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport service schedule

The 4 engines a 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost

Other Land Rover models