2003 Land Rover Range Rover Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Land Rover Range Rover, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)6960.5%
- Transmission87.0%
- Steering87.0%
- Electrical65.3%
- Engine54.4%
- Brakes54.4%
- Suspension43.5%
- Other / unspecified32.6%
- Tires & wheels32.6%
- Exterior lighting10.9%
- Interior & seats10.9%
- Airbags10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
DRIVING DOWN A ROAD LOST POWER AND MADE GRINDING NOISE.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE TURNS BUT JUST MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND DOES NOT ACTUALLY TURN THE WHEELS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL JUST DROPPED DOWN. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEPT 2003 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 50 MPH IN WASHINGTON DC, AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE LOUD NOISES, AND STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE WITHOUT MAKING SCREECHING NOISES. LAND ROVER ANNAPOLIS SAID IT WAS A FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION/ FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. WARRANTY COVERED THE COSTS OF THIS. MAY 2008 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, RT 45 IN HOUSTON. THE CAR MADE THE SAME NOISES AS IN 2006, SO SHE PULLED OVER AND COULD NOT PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WITHOUT THE SCREECHING NOISES. RANGE ROVER HOUSTON NORTH SAID IT WAS A FRONT DIFFERENTIAL ISSUE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2500. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED, AND ACCORDING TO RANG ROVER HOUSTON N, THERE IS A FUTURE RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS AN ISSUE WITH ALL MODELS HTTP://WWW.LEMONAUTO.COM/COMPLAINTS/LAND_ROVER/LANDROVER_RANGE_ROVER.HTM *TR
FIRST OCCURRENCE - DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD ABOUT 10-15MPH. MY 2003 RR MADE A BIG CLUNKING NOISE THEN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED AND AWFUL SCREECHING NOISE. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE, TRUCK INSTANTLY STOPPED AND SCREEN STATED PUT IN NEUTRAL. I WAS STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK WITH MY 3 CHILDREN, THE YOUNGEST WAS 4 MONTHS. SECOND OCCURRENCE - LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER, I WAS ON VACATION IN CLEVELAND OHIO THANKSGIVING TIME. DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND THE SAME EXACT NOISE HAPPENED AND INSTANTLY THE TRUCK STOPPED, I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. IT WAS 11:30 PM, I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THERE WERE NO TOW COMPANIES OPEN. FINALLY SOMEONE CAME TO ASSIST ME AND PUSHED MY 7000LB TRUCK INTO AN EMPTY LOT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. WHEN THE HELP ARRIVED THEY PARKED ABOUT 3 FEET BEHIND MY TRUCK, NOT KNOWING THE TRUCK WAS NOT SAFE IN PARK MY TRUCK DRIFTED BACK AND HIT HIS NEW BMW TRUCK. BOTH TIMES THE DIFFERENTIAL WENT UP I HAD TO PAY FOR IT! OVER $2500 BOTH TIMES NOT TO MENTION THE COST TO TOW MY TRUCK BACK TO MD FROM OHIO $1600. I MUST SAY THAT WHEN MY TRUCK ARRIVED AT THE SHOP ALL OF THE MECHANICS KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH RR'S AND THEIR DIFFERENTIALS. THIS IS SO SAD, THERE IS NO WARNING IT JUST HAPPENS. I EXPECTED SO MUCH MORE FROM RANGE ROVER, THE NAME TO ME MEANS QUALITY BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT LIVED UP TO ITS NAME. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE COMPANY HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THEY STILL WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS DEFECT. THERE ARE MANY MORE STORIES LIKE THIS, COINCIDENTAL AS IT SEEMS MY GOOD FRIEND WITH A 2004 RR DIFFERENTIAL WENT UP THE SAME DAY AS MINE, LUCKILY SHE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED THIS 2003 RANGE ROVER WITH 19,000 MILES FEBRUARY 2007. IT CURRENTLY HAS 36,008 MILES AND THE TRANSFER CASE DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND WAS IN GEAR AT THE TIME. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL. TIME IN SERVICE IS NOT THE ISSUE WITH THE LOW MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE ONLY WEAR AND TEAR THAT COULD OCCUR WOULD BE THROUGH USAGE. THE WARRANTY IS 50,000 MILES OR 4 YEARS. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE MILEAGE LIMITATION. *TR
2003 RANGE ROVER HSE , LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, 5 MINUTES LATER A GRINDING NOISE HAPPENED THAT WAS VERY LOUD. THE CAR RESPONDED WITH A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO APPLY GAS. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY AND COULD PULL THE CAR OVER. *TR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THERE WAS A RADIATOR LEAK AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK. UPDATED 10/11/07. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
RUNNING LIGHTS WAY TOO BRIGHT ON THE BACK OF A NEW LAND ROVER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REMOTE KEY FOR THE VEHICLE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WITH A MIND OF ITS OWN. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES REMAINS UNLOCKED UNKNOWINGLY AND GREATLY DELAYS UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE AND GAINING ENTRANCE TO THE CAR. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THE AIRBAG LIGHT JUST STAY ON.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .