The complete guide to the third generation Range Rover · 2002 to 2012

Common problems

Last updated: 18 June 2012

The L322 is a magnificent car with a deserved reputation for expensive faults if neglected. Almost none are mysterious — the weak points are well known. This page lists them by system, with the symptoms to spot and rough costs. The single biggest lesson: buy and maintain on history, and diagnose properly before throwing parts at it.

QUICK ANSWER

The three big bills are the gearbox, air suspension and (on diesels) the TDV8 cooling/turbo jobs. Almost every fault is known and preventable with maintenance.

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Photo: common fault areas (gearbox / air suspension)

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THE BIG THREE If you remember only three things: 1) the gearbox (early autos fail, all like fresh fluid), 2) the air suspension, and 3) the TDV8 cooling/turbo jobs. These account for most big bills.

Suspension & running gear

Air springs / valve block / compressor — the #1 fault area. See air suspension.
Rear hub bushes — clonking over bumps; awkward to replace (special tools). ~£300 fitted.
Front lower ball joints / wishbones — knock under braking; replace the whole arm (~£100-130/side).
Drop links & subframe mounts — rattles, vague steering.
CV joints / propshafts: clicking on full lock, driveline vibration (high mileage).

Drivetrain

WATCH OUT Early ZF 5-speed and GM 5-speed autos can let go from ~85,000 miles. They're sold as "sealed for life" but love fresh fluid/filters. Chatter under load = stop and recover the car.

The transfer box can leak oil where a steel support insulator bolts to the cast-aluminium case (corrosion), then overheat and seize. Check for leaks and use low range occasionally to keep the actuator free. Early cars had a TSB to upgrade the front diff and driveshafts/CV joint; confirm it was done.

Engine (by type)

Engine	Watch for
3.0 Td6	Turbo, low-pressure fuel pump, injectors at high miles
4.4 V8 BMW	Coolant/oil leaks; O-ring seals at water jacket can leak coolant into the gearbox
4.4 V8 Jaguar	Robust; injector clean; drivetrain is the weak point
4.2 S/C	Supercharger rattle at idle; intercooler pump
3.6 TDV8	Coolant crossover pipe, turbos, timing chain tensioner, alternator
5.0 V8	Timing chain tensioners/guides (2010-early 2012)

Brakes

Heavy pad/disc wear — can need doing by ~30,000 miles. ~£235+/axle (more for Brembo?Brembo — Premium Italian brake maker; larger discs and multi-piston fixed calipers give stronger, more fade-resistant braking on heavy/fast cars.).
EPB caliper seizure. Premature rear wear; check rear disc temperature after a run.
Diesel servo, weak assistance usually a vacuum pump/hose, not the master cylinder.

Electrics

Instrument cluster PCB: cracked solder joints; gauge dropout, dead pixels. Reflow fixes it.
Ignition switch: hard to turn; dash-mounted type is an ~8-hour job.
Alternator (esp. TDV8?TDV8 — Land Rover's twin-turbo diesel V8 (3.6, later 4.4), the 'AJD-V8' / 'Lion' engine, prized for huge torque.), fails and can take the battery with it.
Low voltage causes many false faults — always check battery/earths first.

Body & water leaks

WATER INGRESS Some L322s let rainwater in at the roof seams; on the left it can run into the boot and wreck the audio control system. Check the boot-side trim and amplifier area, especially on Westminster cars.

Check the tailgate for rust and for damage from people sitting on it.
Inspect the underside for off-road damage.

The golden rule

VERDICT Almost every big L322 bill is preventable with fresh fluids, early oil changes, and proper diagnosis before parts. A neglected L322 is a money pit; a maintained one is one of the great used luxury cars. See the buying guide »

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