VehicleVerdict

2008 Land Rover LR2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 105 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.0 times the median LR2 year — the 2008 model ranks #1 of 8 LR2 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 36 reports (34% of the total).

105

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other LR2 years?

LR2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted105 complaints2008: 105 complaints2009: 41 complaints2010: 27 complaints2011: 15 complaints2012: 12 complaints2013: 20 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 7 complaints
LR2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LR2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Land Rover LR2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3634%
Engine1817%
Electrical System1413%
Other88%
Visibility & Wipers77%
Suspension55%
Fuel System33%
Steering33%
Brakes33%
Airbags22%
Body & Structure22%
Speed Control11%
Latches & Locks11%
Driver Assistance11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2008 Land Rover LR2 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V055000Visibility & WipersFebruary 5, 2008 · 12,353 units

Defect

LAND ROVER IS RECALLING 12,353 MY 2008 LR2 VEHICLES BUILT WITH A SUNROOF. FAILURE OF EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND SIDE SUNROOF GUIDE RAIL CAN OCCUR WHEN THE SUNROOF IS OPERATED. EXCESSIVE STRESS CAN DEVELOP IN THE OVER-MOLDED BRACKET WHICH COULD LEAD TO CRACKING DURING NORMAL SUNROOF OPERATION. IF CRACKS OCCUR AND PROPAGATE IN A CERTAIN AREA OF THE GUIDE RAIL, FRAGMENTS OF THE PLASTIC OVER-MOLD MATERIAL MAY DETACH FROM THE GUIDE RAIL AND OBSTRUCT THE OPERATION OF THE SUNROOF.

Consequence

THE OBSTRUCTION COULD CAUSE THE SUNROOF, WHEN OPERATED, TO BIND, TWIST, AND POTENTIALLY DETACH FROM THE OPERATING MECHANISM. IF THE SUNROOF IS SUBSEQUENTLY CYCLED AND A VERTICAL FORCE APPLIED, I.E., A CUSTOMER MANUALLY AIDING THE ROOF TO CLOSE OR WIND LIFT, THE GLASS PANEL CAN BECOME FULLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL RETENTION INSERTS TO BOTH SIDES OF THE GLASS PANEL GUIDE RAILS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“QUOTED BY DEALERSHIP THAT REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR ~$2200. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN MY THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES ON MANY LAND ROVER LR2/3 MODELS. I WOULD LIKE TO ADVOCATE FOR A RECALL, AS EVERY TIME LAND ROVER FIXES THIS KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART, THEY MAKE A BIG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 19, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 LAND ROVER LR2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AS THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, BLACK SMOKE HAD COME THROUGH THE PASSENGER AIR VENTS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 24, 2020 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LAND ROVER LR2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HDC AND TRANSMISSION FAIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RELAY FUSE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 21, 2014

“MY AUTOMOBILE'S BATTERY DIES (I HAVE BOUGHT 2 NEW BATTERIES) OR RUNS OUT OF CHARGE WHEN IT GETS TOO COLD OR WHEN I DO NOT DRIVE IT FOR 3 DAYS OR MORE. SOMETIMES, AS I AM DRIVING IT ON A HIGHWAY, IT JUST CUTS OFF, AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES AND START IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT STARTS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 7, 2019

“AFTER I DID THE RECALL ABOUT THE SUNROOF,MAYBE A MONTH AFTER THE RECALL WHEN I TRY TO USE THE SUNROOF,THE PARTS JUST CAME OUT OF THE TRACKS AND BROKE. I CALL LAND ROVER AND THEY SAID IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO,I WILL HAVE TO PAY FROM MY OWN POCKET,OH WELL NOW I HAVE TAPE ON MY SUNROOF BECAUSE SOMETHING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 17, 2014

2008 Land Rover LR2 — common questions

Is the 2008 Land Rover LR2 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 105 complaints put the 2008 model at #1 of 8 LR2 years. It is one of the LR2 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 LR2 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (36 complaints), engine (18 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints).

Does the 2008 Land Rover LR2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 Land Rover LR2. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Land Rover LR2 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LR2 years to avoid are 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among LR2 years belongs to 2015.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.