2012 Land Rover Range Rover problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.”

NHTSA complaint #11701275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.”

NHTSA complaint #11701275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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.”

NHTSA complaint #11701275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11629881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #11577576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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.

NHTSA complaint #11496433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11484853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and surging. Additionally, the contact heard abnormally loud sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently. The contact stated while driving approximately 5-10 MPH in her brother's driveway, the vehicle went into restricted driving mode, jerked forward continuously until she reached the end of the driveway. An unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the Variable Timing Activator (VTA) had failed, the engine jumped timing, there was an internal engine damage, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance due to the mileage and age of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 140,693.

NHTSA complaint #11480138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #11322601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11254254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

CAR WAS PERFECTLY FINE, WELL MAINTAINED, THEN JUST STOPPED RUNNING.. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND SAID ENTIRE ENGINE WAS BLOWN / RUINED.

NHTSA complaint #11229560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11203823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #11203823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

2012 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HARMFUL GAS FUMES LEAKING FROM CONTAINER IN VEHICLE. *LD

NHTSA complaint #11031328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #11079094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10966465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHEN YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE VEHICLE WILL KEEP ROLLING AND NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING YOU HAVE TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. YOU MAY BE ON A CITY STREET, GARAGE, PARKING LOT ETC... THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A 2012 VEHICLE WITH 54812 MILES. THIS ORIGINAL ONE OWNER VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ONLY. NO OUTSIDE MECHANICS HAVE EVER TOUCHED THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE FAILURE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE OR POSSIBLY DEATH IN THE EVENT THE VEHICLE ROLLED A WAY AND HIT SOMETHING OR WORSE HIT SOMEONE. YOU DON'T EVER EXPECT TO HAVE TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION ON A FOUR YEAR OLD VEHICLE ESPECIALLY TO PREVENT A ROLL A WAY ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10937447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10916819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10824355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10561303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.