2012 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 2012 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
- Engine522.7%
- Powertrain (other)418.2%
- Electrical29.1%
- Airbags29.1%
- Brakes29.1%
- Suspension29.1%
- Fuel system14.5%
- Interior & seats14.5%
- Body & structure14.5%
- Transmission14.5%
- Driver assistance14.5%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle out of nowhere began to make a werid clacking noise (possibly the lifters so we thought) my husband immediately pulled off the freeway the car sputtered; The engine immediately SEIZED, BEGAN TO SMOKE, and CAUGHT FIRE.
In January 2025 I noticed light ticking/knocking at startup, idle, and while driving. On January 23, 2025 I searched online for how to check the oil level and for an L322 dipstick location (there is none). Only after finding a YouTube video with an undocumented override (double-pressing the “Cancel” button) was I able to see the oil level on January 31, 2025, and it showed zero. I added oil immediately, but the knocking gradually worsened over the following months until very loud clattering began on July 4, 2025. The electronic oil level monitoring and warning system failed. When I followed the owner’s manual procedure to check the oil, the display repeatedly showed “Oil Level Not Available” and never gave any low-oil or no-oil warning, even when the actual oil level was zero. Because this system is the only way to check oil level on this vehicle (there is no dipstick), it prevented me from knowing the engine had no oil. The engine then suffered progressive internal bearing/rod damage and now makes extremely loud clattering. The vehicle and components are still in my possession and are available for inspection upon request. The system’s failure meant I unknowingly drove the vehicle with zero oil, which can cause sudden engine failure, loss of power, and possible engine seizure while driving at highway speed. I used this vehicle on Los Angeles freeways, so a sudden loss of power could have led to an accident or left me stranded in a dangerous location. The vehicle now runs with severe clattering and is unsafe to drive, so I have parked it to avoid a complete failure in traffic. The vehicle has been parked since the severe failure on July 4, 2025 because I have not yet been able to afford towing and diagnostic work. There were no low-oil or oil-pressure warning lamps at any time. Prior to the failure, when I tried to check the oil level using the procedure in the owner’s manual, the display repeatedly showed the message “Oil Level Not Available.”
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Gearbox failure. NO warning lamps, symptoms or messages prior to the incident. While driving down the road, upon accelerating; the vehicle would not move forward. The shift was in drive. There was an indicating (grinding) noise beneath the vehicle. Had this been on a highway it had great potential to become a severe danger to myself and passengers, or other drivers! found to be transfer case and connecting transmission spline ground to a powder. It was towed to the Land Rover service department.
The component that Failed was the transmission outline Spline due to lack of lubrication from the factory. This causes the component to fail over time due to corrosion. When this component fails it makes the whole driveline fail/slip. Can happen while making a turn with fast approaching vehicles coming at your through the opposite lane. Also makes the vehicles parking function fail. As the car will roll freely when the shift indicator is in the Park position. The problem has been diagnosed by a certified Mechanic There are no warning lamps, messages or symptoms when this problem happens. Everything is working fine and the next second it is failing.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
In January 2025 I noticed light ticking/knocking at startup, idle, and while driving. On January 23, 2025 I searched online for how to check the oil level and for an L322 dipstick location (there is none). Only after finding a YouTube video with an undocumented override (double-pressing the “Cancel” button) was I able to see the oil level on January 31, 2025, and it showed zero. I added oil immediately, but the knocking gradually worsened over the following months until very loud clattering began on July 4, 2025. The electronic oil level monitoring and warning system failed. When I followed the owner’s manual procedure to check the oil, the display repeatedly showed “Oil Level Not Available” and never gave any low-oil or no-oil warning, even when the actual oil level was zero. Because this system is the only way to check oil level on this vehicle (there is no dipstick), it prevented me from knowing the engine had no oil. The engine then suffered progressive internal bearing/rod damage and now makes extremely loud clattering. The vehicle and components are still in my possession and are available for inspection upon request. The system’s failure meant I unknowingly drove the vehicle with zero oil, which can cause sudden engine failure, loss of power, and possible engine seizure while driving at highway speed. I used this vehicle on Los Angeles freeways, so a sudden loss of power could have led to an accident or left me stranded in a dangerous location. The vehicle now runs with severe clattering and is unsafe to drive, so I have parked it to avoid a complete failure in traffic. The vehicle has been parked since the severe failure on July 4, 2025 because I have not yet been able to afford towing and diagnostic work. There were no low-oil or oil-pressure warning lamps at any time. Prior to the failure, when I tried to check the oil level using the procedure in the owner’s manual, the display repeatedly showed the message “Oil Level Not Available.”
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH DOES NOT LOCK AND IT DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE KEY FOB OR INTERIOR SWITCH. THIS CONDITION STATE DOES NOT CHANGE IF THE VEHICLE IS MOBILE OR STATIONARY.
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
I HAD CONTACTED LAND ROVER BEFORE THE RECALL CONCERNED THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE TAKATA AIRBAG AND THE CONSTANT AMBER MESSAGE. I WAS CONSTANTLY TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED. I AM EVEN MORE FRUSTRATED LAND ROVER HAS NOT HAD THE COURTESY TO REACH OUT, APOLOGIZE, AND PROMPTLY FIX THIS ISSUE. FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT PEOPLE SPEND ON THESE VEHICLES YOU WOULD EXPECT SOME DECENCY. I AM PUTTING EVERYONE THAT IS A PASSENGER IN MY CAR AT RISK EVERY ONE MORE DAY LAND ROVER TAKES TO RESPOND
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V015000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND JAMMED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAITED FOR IT TO STOP ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP FOR THE BRAKES HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.
MY FIRST INCIDENT I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN. I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN AND WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I COULDN'T STOP OR CONTROL THE CAR AND THANKFULLY AVOIDED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE SECOND TIME JUST MINUTES AFTER THIS OCCURRED, IT HAPPEN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. I SLOWED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED RIGHT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. AT THIS POINT I WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME AND VERY SLOWLY DROVE A BACK ROAD HOME AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. *TR
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
When curving left, driving 50mph, the slightest bump, such as a lane marker makes the front passenger wheel bounce independently from the other three tires and makes the steering wheel shake. It's possible to lose control. The problem has been identified as a control arm. I have had this problem repaired 3 times. Why does this keep happening, specifically to that side? Repairs took place in 2016, 2018, 2024
THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I'VE HAD IT REPAIRED 2 TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO FAIL WITHIN A DAY FROM REPAIR. UNABLE TO DROVE THE VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER AUTOBIOGRAPHY IS BRAND NEW I ORDER 2012, WITH 19,600 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGTHWAY, I TOTAL LOSE POWER FOR ACCELATION. IT SAY ON DASH BOARD RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE, WITH TRIANGLE YELLOW APPEARED. PER LAND ROVER LAKE BUFF, TECHNICIAN IT FACTORY DEFICT ON MECHANICAL FUEL PUMP, AND NEED TO BE REPLACE, TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
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 contact owns a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated that when she entered the vehicle, she was unable to close the front passenger’s side door. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that the front passenger’s side door latch was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the door latch was replaced; however, the contact then stated that the driver's door was unable to close. The contact became aware that the door latch was also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V387000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 6/29/2013 WITH MY NEW RANGE ROVER SPORT LUXURY MODEL. WE TOOK IT TO LAND ROVER OF GLEN COVE FOR REPAIRS. AFTER 30 DAYS THE CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED AND I WAS TOLD THE 1/4 PANEL WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL 8/23/13. APPROX 8/20/13, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS NOT COMING AND IT WAS PUSHED BACK TO 9/23/13. AFTER FOLLOWING UP EARLIER THIS WEEK, I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE PART IS NOT COMING UNTIL "POSSIBLY" 10/30/13. THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE 1/4 PANEL IN STOCK ANYWHERE IN THE ENTIRE USA, AND IT IS BEING MADE AND SHIPPED FROM THE UK, "HOPEFULLY" IT WILL SHIP ON 10/16/13 FROM THE UK, HAVE TO GO THROUGH CUSTOMS AND BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF OCTOBER. HARD TO BELIEVE IT WILL EVEN COME THEN AFTER ALL OF THE OTHER FALSE PROMISES, BUT IF IT DOES THE SOONEST I WOULD GET MY CAR BACK IS MID NOVEMBER; 4.5 MONTHS LATER. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO STOCK PARTS FOR NEW CARS? I FEEL THAT THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT AND EVEN AFTER COMPLAINING TO LAND ROVER CORPORATE, ALL I AM TOLD IS SORRY YOU HAVE TO WAIT NOTHING WE CAN DO. IS THERE NO PROTECTION OR RECOURSE FOR A CONSUMER? *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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 2012 RANGE ROVER EVOQUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE ENGINE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 4/26/13 *CN THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE LOCKED UP AS IN THE CASE OF BRAKE FAILURE OR IF THE THROTTLE BY WIRE MALFUNCTIONED. HE ALSO FOUND OUT, DURING HIS LAST VISIT AT THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL IF IT WAS BEING TOWED. UPDATED 05/01/13
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING ON THE ROAD, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ANY CONTROL OF THE DRIVETRAIN. VEHICLE WAS LEFT COASTING IN TRAFFIC, AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV WITHOUT ANY INFLUENCE ON MOVING THE SUV. THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED IT AS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHERE THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION STRIPS THE INPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSFER CASE DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRETTING CORROSION CAUSED BY INSUFFICIENT LUBRICANT/PROTECTANT APPLIED TO THE SHAFTS AT ASSEMBLY. I ALSO READ ABOUT OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC (RANGE ROVER FORUM POSTS). THIS INITIALLY LEFT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC WITH NO WAY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AS IT HAS LEFT OTHERS THAT HAVE DESCRIBED THE SAME SUDDEN FAILURE ON THE INTERNET. THE ONLY REMEDY OFFERED AT THE DEALERSHIP IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND ENTIRE TRANSFER CASE AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $13,000.00.
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 .