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Land Rover2002–2024 Critical issues documented

Land Rover Range Rover L322: common faults & what to check

The L322 is the Land Rover Range Rover built 2002–2013. It was sold here with the 3.6 TDV8, 4.4 V8 petrol, and 5.0 supercharged V8. Of the 22 faults documented for the Range Rover, 6 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

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22

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$700–$3,200

Typical repair

6

Systems covered

You're looking at the L322

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

Choose a different generation

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.

A 2002 Land Rover Range Rover is the L322 generation (2002 to 2013).

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Land Rover Range Rover L322Engine not picked yet

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Land Rover Range Rover · 2002

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

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matched on year only

What to look out for

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

  • Costly issue

    Check all four corner heights at rest with engine off for 30 minutes.

    See why

    Air Suspension Compressor Overheating & Failure

    The EAS compressor is forced to cycle excessively when air escapes from perished rubber air spring bags, cracked interconnecting pipework, or leaking valve block solenoids. Sustained thermal stress destroys the internal piston diaphragm, burns the motor windings, and trips the thermal cutout permanently. The rubber air bags fail independently from UV degradation and age-related cracking, which then forces the compressor to run continuously until it burns out. This cascade failure is the single most common fault on all L322 variants regardless of engine.

    What you would notice

    • Vehicle sitting low on one or more corners at rest
    • Compressor running continuously or not at all
    • Air suspension fault warning on instrument cluster
    • Vehicle fails to raise from park/access height
    • Audible hissing from wheel arch area indicating air leak
    • System defaults to lowest height and will not rise

    Typically $700–$5,500 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Leave the car parked a while, then check no corner has sagged.

    See why

    EAS air suspension failure (L322)

    The L322 rides on electronic air suspension (EAS) and failures are extremely common with age. Air springs crack in the rubber bellows and leak, the compressor overworks and burns out, valve blocks leak and height sensors fail, any of which throws a 'suspension fault' and drops the car onto its bump stops. It is the defining L322 ownership cost and a common reason cheap ones are cheap.

    What you would notice

    • 'Suspension fault' or SUSPENSION INACTIVE message
    • Car sitting low or leaning to one corner after standing
    • Compressor running long and loud, or not at all
    • Harsh ride stuck at one height

    Typically $700–$4,000 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Repeat at 3 and 9 o'clock to check wheel bearing.

    See why

    Front Ball Joint & Control Arm Bush Wear

    The L322 front suspension uses upper and lower control arms with rubber-bonded inner pivot bushes and ball joints at the steering knuckle. The vehicle's high unladen kerb weight of up to 2,700 kg generates substantial ball joint loading in cornering and braking, accelerating wear at the taper interface. The lower ball joint is particularly vulnerable and develops rotational play that allows the knuckle to move beyond safe angular limits, creating steering imprecision and a clunking sensation. Inner control arm bush rubber degrades from oil contamination and age, losing compliance and transmitting vibration directly to the subframe. Large-diameter alloy wheel fitment with low-profile tyres eliminates tyre sidewall compliance and transfers load impacts directly to the ball joints, worsening wear rates.

    What you would notice

    • Clunking or knocking from front suspension over speed bumps and rough surfaces
    • Vague, imprecise steering feel with slight wander
    • Uneven or accelerated front tyre wear across the tread
    • Vibration transmitted through steering wheel at certain speeds
    • Vehicle pulls to one side under hard braking

    Typically $1,100–$3,800 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Inspect the ATC motor connector on the transfer case housing for green corrosion or water tracking.

    See why

    ATC Transfer Case Motor Failure & Diff Lock Errors

    The Active Transfer Case on the L322 is shifted between high and low range by an electric motor actuator mounted externally on the transfer case housing. The actuator contains an electric motor, reduction gearset, and position sensor, all sealed in a plastic housing that is exposed to road water, mud, and thermal cycling. Water ingress through the multi-pin electrical connector is the primary failure mechanism — corrosion on the connector pins increases resistance until the TCM can no longer confirm actuator position and raises a Transfer Box Fault. Complete motor burnout also occurs when repeated failed shift attempts cause sustained current draw. Once failed, the vehicle is locked in whatever range it was in with no ability to select the other range.

    What you would notice

    • Transfer Box Fault warning on instrument cluster
    • Diff Lock Unavailable message
    • Loss of ability to select high or low range
    • 4WD system warning light illuminated
    • Shift selector unresponsive with no mechanical engagement

    Typically $950–$3,200 to put right.

  • Common issue

    Systematically test every electrical feature: all windows, locks, mirrors, seats, climate zones, parking sensors, screen and cameras.

    See why

    Electrical and module gremlins (L322)

    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.

    What you would 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

    Typically $200–$2,500 to put right.

See all 6 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 1 rated critical.
Engine, transmission & cooling1

01ATC Transfer Case Motor Failure & Diff Lock Errors

Inspect the ATC motor connector on the transfer case housing for green corrosion or water tracking.2002–2012TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Electrical1

02Electrical and module gremlins (L322)

Systematically test every electrical feature: all windows, locks, mirrors, seats, climate zones, parking sensors, screen and cameras.2002–2012Electrical
CommonElectrical $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?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior3

03Air Suspension Compressor Overheating & Failure

Check all four corner heights at rest with engine off for 30 minutes.2002–2012SuspensionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

04EAS air suspension failure (L322)

Leave the car parked a while, then check no corner has sagged.2002–2012Suspension
Very commonSuspension $700–$4,000 to fix

The L322 rides on electronic air suspension (EAS) and failures are extremely common with age. Air springs crack in the rubber bellows and leak, the compressor overworks and burns out, valve blocks leak and height sensors fail, any of which throws a 'suspension fault' and drops the car onto its bump stops. It is the defining L322 ownership cost and a common reason cheap ones are cheap.

Symptoms to notice

  • 'Suspension fault' or SUSPENSION INACTIVE message
  • Car sitting low or leaning to one corner after standing
  • Compressor running long and loud, or not at all
  • Harsh ride stuck at one height

What to check

  1. Leave the car parked a while, then check no corner has sagged.
  2. Start it and confirm it rises evenly to normal height without a fault message.
  3. Listen to the compressor (behind the front bumper/wheelarch); a screaming or endlessly running compressor is failing.
  4. Try raising and lowering the height if the controls allow.
  5. Ask which EAS parts have already been replaced.

Where to look: Air springs at each corner, compressor and valve block, and height sensors

Parts involved: Air suspension strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Any suspension fault messages?”
  • “Which air suspension parts have been replaced and when?”
  • “Does it rise and level correctly from cold?”

05Front Ball Joint & Control Arm Bush Wear

Repeat at 3 and 9 o'clock to check wheel bearing.2002–2012Suspension
CommonSuspension $1,100–$3,800 to fix

The L322 front suspension uses upper and lower control arms with rubber-bonded inner pivot bushes and ball joints at the steering knuckle. The vehicle's high unladen kerb weight of up to 2,700 kg generates substantial ball joint loading in cornering and braking, accelerating wear at the taper interface. The lower ball joint is particularly vulnerable and develops rotational play that allows the knuckle to move beyond safe angular limits, creating steering imprecision and a clunking sensation. Inner control arm bush rubber degrades from oil contamination and age, losing compliance and transmitting vibration directly to the subframe. Large-diameter alloy wheel fitment with low-profile tyres eliminates tyre sidewall compliance and transfers load impacts directly to the ball joints, worsening wear rates.

The front wheel of a car splayed outward with the lower control arm hanging down after a ball joint separation.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.

Elfix · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunking or knocking from front suspension over speed bumps and rough surfaces
  • Vague, imprecise steering feel with slight wander
  • Uneven or accelerated front tyre wear across the tread
  • Vibration transmitted through steering wheel at certain speeds
  • Vehicle pulls to one side under hard braking

What to check

Repeat at 3 and 9 o'clock to check wheel bearing. Inspect upper and lower control arm inner bushes for rubber splitting, displacement from the metal sleeve, or oil contamination. Check front tyre wear for feathering or diagonal scalloping indicating bush compliance failure. If a workshop inspection is possible: With the vehicle on a hoist and wheels hanging free, grasp each front wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and rock it to check for lower ball joint play.

Where to look: Upper and lower control arms at each front wheel; ball joints at the wheel hub/steering knuckle junction; inner bush at subframe mounting point

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

  • “Has any front suspension work including ball joints or control arm bushes been completed?”
  • “Are there any clunking noises from the front end over rough road or at low speed?”
  • “What is the current front tyre wear pattern and when were the tyres last replaced?”
Depends on the exact engine — 1 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling1

014.4 V8 M62 Timing Chain Guide Failure

Cold-start the engine after it has sat overnight and listen carefully to the front of the engine for chain rattle in the first 10-30 seconds.petrol2002–2005EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Other Land Rover Range Rover engines and years16 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling6

013.0 TDV6 crankshaft bearing rotation — the engine-ending fault

Be there for a stone-cold start and listen before anything else happens.diesel2013–2018Engine
OccasionalEngine $9,000–$32,000 to fix

Does not apply

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?”

02TDV8 3.6 Oil Pump Drive Shaft Shear

Verify via service history whether the updated oil pump drive shaft per TSB LTB00569 has been installed.diesel2006–2012Engine
CommonEngine $4,500–$24,000 to fix

Does not apply

Unconfirmed. This entry does not match our record of which engines and years this model was sold with, and is awaiting review. Confirm it against the car before acting on it.

The 3.6-litre TDV8 diesel uses a separate drive shaft to transfer rotational force from the crankshaft sprocket to the oil pump body. The shaft is machined from a material susceptible to shear stress fracture at the drive dog end, particularly during cold-start conditions when oil viscosity is high and pump resistance is greatest. Once the shaft shears, oil pump delivery ceases instantly and oil pressure drops to zero. Engine bearing surfaces lose lubrication within seconds and the crankshaft, connecting rod bearings, and cylinder bores suffer catastrophic seizure. There is typically no meaningful warning — the oil pressure light may flicker momentarily before complete engine destruction. Pre-2009 production engines carry the highest risk and Land Rover issued Technical Service Bulletin LTB00569 to address the shaft design.

Symptoms to notice

  • Sudden illumination of oil pressure warning light
  • Immediate engine knock followed by seizure
  • Engine stops and will not restart
  • Catastrophic metallic noise just before shutdown
  • No oil pressure reading on scan tool before failure

What to check

  1. Verify via service history whether the updated oil pump drive shaft per TSB LTB00569 has been installed.
  2. Inspect for evidence of recent engine oil changes — infrequent changes increase cold-start viscosity spikes.
  3. Ask for engine build date stamped on the block to cross-reference against updated production.
  4. If a workshop inspection is possible: Connect a diagnostic scanner and check for any historical oil pressure fault codes.

Where to look: Oil pump drive shaft at front of engine behind crankshaft sprocket, inside timing chest

Ask the seller

  • “Has the oil pump drive shaft TSB LTB00569 been actioned by a Land Rover dealer?”
  • “Has the engine ever shown an oil pressure warning or been rebuilt?”
  • “Can you provide the full stamped service history including oil change dates?”

033.0 TDV6/SDV6 crankshaft bearing failure (L405)

Cold-start and listen for any deep knock from low in the engine, and note whether oil pressure warnings have ever appeared.diesel2013–2021Engine
OccasionalEngine $4,000–$15,000 to fix

Does not apply

The 3.0 TDV6/SDV6 diesel in the L405 has a well-documented risk of the crankshaft bearing shell rotating in its housing, collapsing oil pressure and destroying the crank, usually between roughly 130,000 and 190,000 km and worse with long oil-change intervals. It typically starts as a low knock and ends in a new engine. Frequent oil changes with the correct spec oil mitigate but do not eliminate it.

Symptoms to notice

  • Low rhythmic knock from the bottom of the engine
  • Falling or fluctuating oil pressure
  • Metallic particles noted at oil changes
  • Rattle on start that doesn't clear

What to check

Cold-start and listen for any deep knock from low in the engine, and note whether oil pressure warnings have ever appeared. Ask for the oil-service history and confirm short intervals with correct ACEA C3 oil were used. Any main-bearing knock means walk away or budget for an engine. A pre-purchase inspection by a JLR diesel specialist is strongly advised on higher-mileage cars.

Where to look: Crankshaft main/big-end bearings inside the 3.0 diesel engine

Ask the seller

  • “What is the oil-change interval and history?”
  • “Any bottom-end knock or oil pressure warnings?”
  • “Has the crankshaft or engine ever been rebuilt?”

043.6 TDV8 rear timing chain and injector wear (L322)

Do a cold first-start and listen carefully at the rear (bulkhead end) of the engine for chain rattle.diesel2006–2012Engine
OccasionalEngine $3,000–$9,000 to fix

Does not apply

Unconfirmed. This entry does not match our record of which engines and years this model was sold with, and is awaiting review. Confirm it against the car before acting on it.

The 3.6 TDV8 diesel in later L322s has its timing chains at the rear of the engine (gearbox end), so a stretched chain or worn tensioner is a major engine-out job. These engines can also suffer injector and turbo issues and crank/bearing wear if oil changes were skipped. A rattly cold start on a TDV8 is a serious and costly warning.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Rattle from the back of the engine on cold start
  • Rough idle or misfire
  • Loss of power or turbo whistle/smoke
  • Poor or unknown oil change history

What to check

Do a cold first-start and listen carefully at the rear (bulkhead end) of the engine for chain rattle. Ask for a full oil-service history; these engines punish skipped changes. Watch for smoke and power loss on the drive. Because the chains are at the back, quote-shock is real, so factor a specialist inspection before buying.

Where to look: Timing chains at the rear (flywheel end) of the 3.6 TDV8 diesel engine

Parts involved: Timing chain, Fuel injector.

Ask the seller

  • “Is there any cold-start rattle from the back of the engine?”
  • “What is the oil change history?”
  • “Have the injectors or turbos been worked on?”

05TDV8 Coolant Crossover Pipe O-Ring Failure

Check coolant expansion tank level and look for mineral deposits or brown sludge in the tank.diesel2006–2012CoolingRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

06Plastic inlet manifold cracking — 'Restricted Performance' on the 3.0 diesel

Load the engine on the test drive, because this fault hides at light throttle.diesel2013–2021EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Electrical6

01Headlamp software recall — lights and indicators can stop working

2023Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $0–$1,500 to fix

Does not apply

Recall campaign N810, issued in July 2023 for 2023 vehicles, covers a software fault where the headlamps may not operate as intended — potentially taking out the headlights, the front position lamps, the daytime running lights and the direction indicators together. Losing all of that at once is a genuine hazard at night and it removes your ability to signal a turn at any time of day. Because it is software rather than a burnt-out bulb, it can appear and disappear, and a car that lit up perfectly during a daytime viewing tells you nothing. The remedy is a free software update at a dealer, so this is a VIN check first and a walk-around second.

Symptoms to notice

  • Headlights, daytime running lights or position lamps failing to come on
  • Indicators not working, or working on one side only
  • Lighting warning message on the dash
  • Lights working intermittently, or coming back after a restart
  • Automatic headlights not switching on when they should

What to check

Ask a Land Rover dealer to check the VIN for campaign N810 and any other outstanding one — free, and the reliable answer for a software fault that may not be present on the day. Then do a proper walk-around with the lights on rather than a glance. With the engine running, switch on the headlights and walk right around the vehicle checking dipped beam, main beam, the daytime running lights and both front position lamps, and confirm both sides match. Operate the indicators left and right and confirm every corner flashes at the normal rate — a fast flash usually means a bulb or driver has failed on that side. Try the hazards. Switch the lights to automatic and cover the sensor or check them in a dark garage to confirm they come on by themselves. Switch the vehicle off and on again and repeat the check, since an intermittent software fault often shows on one cycle and not another. Watch the dash for any lighting message. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for the lighting module software version and stored faults to be confirmed.

Where to look: Front of the vehicle — headlamp units and the lighting control software

Ask the seller

  • “Has the headlamp software recall N810 been completed?”
  • “Have the lights or indicators ever failed to work, even once?”
  • “Which other recalls are outstanding against this VIN?”

02Door latch assembly failure — doors that will not lock or will not stay shut

Test every door individually rather than assuming they behave the same, because these fail one at a time.2013–2021ElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03Terrain Response Relay & Mode Selector Fault

2003–2012ElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

04Infotainment and electrical module faults (L405)

Work through the infotainment, camera, nav and phone connection during the test drive, looking for freezes and dropouts.2013–2021Electrical
CommonElectrical $200–$2,500 to fix

Does not apply

The L405's infotainment and electronics are a frequent gripe: touchscreen freezes and reboots, sat-nav and reversing-camera dropouts, and assorted body-module faults that trigger warning lights. Some are fixed with software updates and a fresh 12V battery, others need module replacement. It is part of the well-known secondary-market L405 ownership pattern.

Symptoms to notice

  • Screen freezing, black-screening or rebooting
  • Reversing camera or nav dropping out
  • Random warning messages
  • Bluetooth/media glitches

What to check

  1. Work through the infotainment, camera, nav and phone connection during the test drive, looking for freezes and dropouts.
  2. Check the 12V battery age (a weak one causes many of these).
  3. Ask for a diagnostic scan and whether software is up to date.
  4. Note any warning messages that appear then vanish.

Where to look: Central touchscreen, infotainment head unit and body control modules

Parts involved: 12V battery.

Ask the seller

  • “Does the screen ever freeze or reboot?”
  • “Is the software up to date?”
  • “How old is the 12V battery?”

05Pivi Pro infotainment and software issues (L460)

Cold-start and confirm the screens and cameras come up promptly.2022 onwardElectrical
OccasionalElectrical $150–$1,500 to fix

Does not apply

The current L460 Range Rover is heavily software-defined and early cars have shown the growing pains: Pivi Pro screen freezes and reboots, blank displays on start-up, connectivity dropouts and modules needing over-the-air or dealer updates. Most are software fixes but a car behind on updates can behave oddly. As a new-generation car, long-term data is still thin, so verify all software is current.

Symptoms to notice

  • Touchscreen freezes, reboots or shows blank
  • Connectivity/CarPlay dropouts
  • Spurious warning messages
  • Slow-to-wake displays and cameras

What to check

Cold-start and confirm the screens and cameras come up promptly. Cycle the menus, climate and camera views looking for freezes. Ask whether all software updates are current and whether any modules were replaced under warranty. Confirm any open recalls have been actioned at a dealer.

Where to look: Pivi Pro touchscreen and vehicle control modules

Ask the seller

  • “Is all software up to date?”
  • “Has the screen ever frozen or blanked?”
  • “Any warranty module replacements?”

0612V battery drain and electrical gremlins (L460)

Ask how often the car is used and whether it has gone flat standing.2022 onwardElectrical
OccasionalElectrical $300–$1,500 to fix

Does not apply

Like other modern JLR products, the L460 has many always-on electronic systems and early owners report 12V battery drain when the car is left standing, plus assorted electrical warnings that clear after a reset or update. A weak 12V battery can cause a confusing cascade of faults. Several early-build recalls also touched electrical and software items, so recall status matters.

Symptoms to notice

  • Flat or slow-to-wake after standing a few days
  • Cluster of warning lights on start that then clear
  • Locking or convenience features glitching
  • Repeated need to recharge the battery

What to check

  1. Ask how often the car is used and whether it has gone flat standing.
  2. On a cold start watch for a burst of warnings that then disappear (a low-battery hallmark).
  3. Confirm the VIN's recalls are done and software is current.
  4. Check the 12V battery's age and health.

Where to look: 12V battery and body/electrical control modules

Parts involved: 12V battery.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the 12V battery ever gone flat?”
  • “Are all recalls and updates complete?”
  • “Any recurring electrical warnings?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior2

01Air suspension — compressor thermal cutout, air spring seep and slow rise

Every L405 rides on four-corner air suspension, and it is the system most likely to cost the next owner money.2013–2021SuspensionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02Air suspension and chassis-control teething faults (L460)

Confirm the car sits level and rises evenly from cold with no fault.2022 onwardSuspension
OccasionalSuspension $900–$4,500 to fix

Does not apply

The L460 uses sophisticated air suspension with rear-wheel steering and active anti-roll. Early cars have shown occasional suspension warnings, levelling niggles and related chassis-control faults, and the air springs and compressor are the same class of component that wears on older Range Rovers. It is early days for reliability data, so treat any suspension warning seriously.

Symptoms to notice

  • 'Suspension fault' or reduced-function message
  • Uneven ride height after standing
  • Rear-steer or dynamics warning
  • Compressor running noticeably often

What to check

  1. Confirm the car sits level and rises evenly from cold with no fault.
  2. Try the height and any dynamic settings on the drive and watch for warnings.
  3. Ask about any suspension or chassis-control repairs and whether they were under warranty.
  4. Check for outstanding recalls given the generation's newness.

Where to look: Air springs, compressor, rear-wheel-steer and active anti-roll systems

Parts involved: Air suspension strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Any suspension or chassis-control warnings?”
  • “Have any air-suspension parts been replaced?”
  • “Are all recalls completed?”
Fluid leaks2

01Camshaft carrier oil gallery recall — oil leak, or oil into the air intake

2022–2023Fluid Leaks
OccasionalFluid Leaks $0–$5,000 to fix

Does not apply

Recall campaign N763, issued in February 2023 for 2022 and 2023 cars, covers a camshaft carrier whose oil gallery may not have been drilled to specification. Two things can follow: an external oil leak, or — the worse one — oil discharging into the engine's air intake. Oil in the intake on a modern turbocharged engine is not just a mess; in the wrong quantity an engine can start running on it, which is a condition the driver cannot stop by lifting off the throttle. This is a manufacturing error rather than wear, the fix is free, and the only question that matters is whether it has been carried out on this particular car. On an imported example the original notice went to an owner overseas, which is exactly how a campaign like this gets missed.

Symptoms to notice

  • Oil level dropping between services with no obvious puddle
  • Oil residue in the intake pipework, or oil misting around the top of the engine
  • Blue smoke from the exhaust
  • Oil spots where the car has been parked, or a burning oil smell after a drive
  • Often nothing at all until the leak becomes significant

What to check

Start with the VIN — note it from the base of the windscreen or the driver's door jamb and ask a Land Rover dealer which campaigns are outstanding, asking about N763 by name, because this vehicle carries several separate ones and having one done says nothing about the others. The check is free. Then look with the bonnet up on a cold engine: work across the top of the engine looking for wet oil, oil misting, or dirt stuck to an oily film, which is what a slow leak looks like once it has been there a while. Check the oil level and colour on the dipstick or the electronic gauge and note whether it sits where it should. Look on the ground where the car normally parks for fresh oil spots. Stand behind the car on a cold start and watch for blue smoke that persists rather than clearing. Ask the seller how often they top the oil up and whether the car was imported, and ask to see every recall invoice. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for the camshaft carrier area and the intake pipework to be inspected for oil.

Where to look: Top of the engine — camshaft carrier and its oil gallery, with the air intake alongside

Ask the seller

  • “Has recall N763 been completed, and can I see the dealer invoice?”
  • “Do you ever need to top up the oil between services?”
  • “Was the car imported, and has it been to a Land Rover dealer here?”

02Engine oil cooler hose recall — hose can detach, with a fire risk

Recall campaign H845, issued in December 2023, covers a threaded nut securing the engine oil cooler hose that may not have been tightened enough.2022–2024Fluid Leaks
OccasionalFluid Leaks $0–$2,500 to fix

Does not apply

Recall campaign H845, issued in December 2023, covers a threaded nut securing the engine oil cooler hose that may not have been tightened enough. A hose that works loose and detaches dumps engine oil, and engine oil onto hot components is a fire risk — which is how the campaign describes it. That framing is the reason to treat this differently from an ordinary oil leak: the failure is sudden rather than gradual, and the consequence is not just an expensive engine. The remedy is free and takes a dealer minutes. Because it turns on an assembly-line torque rather than anything you can predict from mileage or condition, the VIN check is the only real answer, and a car whose paperwork you cannot see should be assumed unrepaired until a dealer says otherwise.

Symptoms to notice

  • Oil spots or a wet oily patch where the car has been parked
  • Oil level dropping between services
  • Burning oil smell after a drive, or smoke from the engine bay
  • Oil pressure or oil level warning on the dash
  • Often nothing at all until the hose lets go

What to check

  1. Take the VIN and ask a Land Rover dealer to confirm campaign H845 specifically, along with every other outstanding one — free, and the only reliable answer, because a correctly tightened nut looks identical to one that was never checked.
  2. Ask the seller for every recall invoice and read them rather than accepting a summary.
  3. Then look for evidence yourself: check the ground where the car normally sits for oil spots, and with the bonnet up on a cold engine look down and around the oil cooler and its hoses for wet oil, weeping at a joint, or dirt stuck to an oily film.
  4. Check the oil level reads where it should.
  5. After the test drive, with the engine hot, stand at the front with the bonnet up and check for any smell of burning oil or wisps of smoke, which is what oil reaching a hot component produces.
  6. Watch the dash throughout for an oil pressure or oil level warning.
  7. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for the oil cooler hose connections to be checked for tightness.

Where to look: Engine bay — engine oil cooler hose and its threaded securing nut

Ask the seller

  • “Has recall H845, the oil cooler hose recall, been completed?”
  • “Are there any oil spots where the car is normally parked?”
  • “Has an oil pressure or oil level warning ever appeared?”

Land Rover Range Rover faults in detail

Narrowed to the Land Rover Range Rover · 2002. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

4.4 V8 M62 Timing Chain Guide FailureCritical · EngineAir Suspension Compressor Overheating & FailureMajor · SuspensionATC Transfer Case Motor Failure & Diff Lock ErrorsMajor · Transmission

What these repairs cost on other cars

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

Other Land Rover models

Land Rover Discovery27 documented faultsLand Rover Range Rover Sport25 documented faultsLand Rover Defender20 documented faultsLand Rover Discovery 2/3/4/517 documented faultsLand Rover Range Rover Evoque15 documented faultsLand Rover Vogue14 documented faults

Land Rover Range Rover buyer questions

Is the Land Rover Range Rover reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 22 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?

We've catalogued 22 known faults for the Land Rover Range Rover, covering engine, fluid leaks, and electrical. All 22 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Land Rover Range Rover?

Most single repairs on the Land Rover Range Rover fall between $700–$3,200 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 22 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?

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 $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.