Similar Problems
I bought my fully loaded, 2005 V-8 SE in early Jan. '05 (dealer couldn't get an HSE in a timely manner). I was impressed by the onroad driveablitly combined with offroad capability, and I liked the styling to boot. I truly have wanted to love this car. I've tried being patient and understanding realizing that it is a first year model. However, I am now at 40K miles and with all the problems and trips to the service department the LR3 has worn me down. My wife and I are expecting twins in a couple weeks, and I just feel that I'm not going to have the time or energy to continue to deal with this vehicle. It's time to scrap the LR3 and move to something at least a little more reliable. To summarize, here is a list of the issues:
1. Engine light at 280 miles - 1.5 months in and out of service departments. Apparent fix, was cracked seal in exhaust system?
2. Special off-road systms fault at about 12K miles - 1 month in and out of service. Apparent fix was a new cpu chip of some sort.
3. Abnormal tread wear on Goodyear HP's at 15000 miles - I have since learned this is probably a combination of cheap GY's (although not all GY's are cheap), an alignment fault from the factory (although LR will never admit to it), and a problem with the air suspension compressor/system. - Problem was never resolved. LR refused to take responsiblity and blamed it on abnormal tire pressures. (By the way, we check our tire pressures regularly).
4. Water leak from clogged sunroof drains at about 18K miles. Easy fix, but took LR two visits to figure it out.
5. Gas tank recall at around 20K miles. Took 2 months to get part and have it replaced.
6. Have had numerous items inside the vehicle break or malfunction along the way, including - two seat latches, driver side speaker, DVD/Nav locked up, poor sound from Aux input, glove compartment latch broken. Yes, I too have the same transmission **** problem, but compared to everything else, I haven't even mentioned it to the dealer as a "problem". I consider myself lucky that I have not had the steering and seat issues... yet.
7. Now I have a suspension fault, that apparently is going to require a new air compressor, but our service department is so busy the earliest Mel (yes, I am on a first name basis with service managers all over the east coast including Louisville, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, FL) could get me in is in a week and a half. Hmmm...I can't imagine why they are so busy... could it be that Land Rover is making money hand over fist by selling $50K big rolling boxes of S**T (sorry, for that, just frustrated).
Yes, I agree that all makes of cars and trucks have problems. But when you spend $50K you should expect better. And now I see it's not just my truck. LR needs to own up to these problems and fix most of them in short order. However, from my experience, none of these dealers' service departments are on the same page. The trend is to try to shift the blame for problems to the customer. Service takes forever, and often times the fix is always 2-3 visits to the dealer away. Not to mention that getting a loaner, errrr... rental car is always a big hassle even at our home dealership. Anyone who doesn't see a problem with this scenario, and chalks all of this up to "well, it is a first year model with lots of electronic gadges" is only contributing to the overall affliction that our entire American society suffers from - chronic low expectations/standards related to being disappointed time and time again.
No, I am not the type to usually complain about things. I am always willing to divy out praise when it is deserved. I have owned Honda, Mazda, Toyota, BMW, and Audi and have nothing but good things to say. I still have a '94 Miata with 127K, that is in cherry condition (I take care of my vehicles). I drove my Honda Civic to near 200K. I was especially impressed with the Audi A4 3.0 quattro I leased. Audi knows a lot about paying attention to details. Something, LR could stand to learn.
