RR Sport Frustration

[Alan Cunningham]

I am a 2007 Range Rover Sport owner who has been experiencing numerous issues and am searching for information and advice.

I have had a series of issues that started just after (imagine that) my 50K warranty expired including:

- Rover Sport dropping while driving - 61K - repaired at $1200
- Height selector stopped working altogether and would only allow normal height - 88K (happened just after 90K service but service dept denied they had caused the issue) - cost $1030
- Electric Parking Brake lockup and failure - 90K - after service was suppose to correct a related issue at 88K - service said something else in the module went out so they are not responsible - cost to repair $1300
- Rear Differential whinning noise at 52K - Service dept said they couldn't hear it
- Rear Differential whinning noise louder at 70K+ - confirmed by service department but told not too bad - Service rep did confirm that whinning WAS coming from rear diff
- Rear Differential noise louder at 89K but told by service dept it was the front differential - replaced front differential (cost $2000) but whinning noise still same so now have to replace what should have been replaced the first time - the rear diff
- Told by service department that paint peeling on inside of differentials was cause of the differentials going bad so rapidly and that it happens quite frequently - Apparently LandRover knows this but refuses to replace faulty diffs
- wheel hubs falling apart 80K (cost to repair $650)
Since the 50K warranty expired this vehicle has cost me over $10K to maintain. This can't be normal. I also own a Toyota Landcruiser with over 170K which has been driven in rougher conditions yet has not had anywhere close to the issues the Rover Sport has had.

- The replacement of the front diff when the rear diff was doing the whining was reported to LandRover North America who assigned a case worker. The Case Worker esstenially started making excuses with her very first words, way before she had even started the investigation. I think I know where this is headed. Appears that the policy of LandRover NA may be to ignore or dismiss customer issues (even when they are aware of the design issues) until there are enough complaints on a particular issue to have an economic impact on the company. Not the attitude of a company who cares about their customer's satisfaction and safety and not the attitude of a company wants to make sure their products are the best quality possible. Appears this company extends very little good will and is generally lacking in honor. I hope I am wrong! I enjoy driving my Sport but if the quality is this lousy, what will go next and will it result in an accident???!!!

 

[ROVER77]

I share your frustations regarding Land Rover and their products. Also had my own issues and problems with my Range Rover and was amazed at Land Rovers attitude and lack of respect for their customers. We all seem to have a passion for the products but are disgusted with the lack of accountability when it comes to problems. Have no doubt that there is no shoratge of other decent folks that feel the same. Sorry to hear that you are added to the list.

Sincerely, Blaine

 

[Alan Cunningham]

Thanks for the note.



Am still going round w/ Land Rover but have no doubt they will not do the right thing. I had read many bad reports about Land Rovers before I bought mine, but had used them for business all over the world, in some pretty rough places, and they always got us through. Toyota Land Cruisers were also part of our fleet and they performed as well. I had some short conversations with our international mechanics and they all said the Rovers had more issues than the Cruisers but were pretty easy to repair. Of course we had our own mechanics and didn't have to deal much w/ Land Rover. I agree with you on Land Rover's lack of respect and and failure to step up when they should. To know that there are design issues with certain systems in some of their vehicles and fail to step up and correct those for their customers is unexcusable.



I have had some significant issues with BMW's one or two thousand miles after the warranty expired and they acknowledged the issues could have been design flaws and extended good will to repair the issues. I will buy another BMW but will not purchase another Range Rover after the experience I've had w/ Land Rover. You are right, I love their product when running like it's suppose to but hate the service and Rover's poor attitude.




RR Sport Frustrated

 

[Jbuchhei]

I've had similar issues with the rear diff. Started hearing a whining sounds at about 40k. Took it to dealer while under warranty and they told me it was the supercharger...or maybe my tires. I had them document the issue incase it got worse later. Sure enough, at 60k, they diagnosed it as a rear diff and want to charge me $3,200 to replace it. Have worked this all the way up to Land Rover NA and they won't do anything. Even with the documentation, they say there is no proof it was the same issue and the dealership would have replaced it if something were wrong. They also told me that diffs go bad very quickly. Sounds fishy based on the number of people I've seen write about this whining sound. Also seems fishy that rear diffs (especially for the SC) are back-ordered. Anyone know where I can get parts or a rebuilt diff?