VehicleVerdict

2005 Land Rover LR3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 149 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.1 times the median LR3 year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 5 LR3 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (20), fuel system (20), and electrical system (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

149

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other LR3 years?

LR3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted149 complaints2005: 149 complaints2006: 74 complaints2007: 21 complaints2008: 11 complaints2009: 4 complaints
LR3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LR3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Land Rover LR3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension2013%
Fuel System2013%
Electrical System1913%
Transmission1611%
Tires & Wheels1510%
Body & Structure107%
Visibility & Wipers96%
Engine85%
Airbags75%
Steering53%
Speed Control53%
Other53%
Brakes53%
Latches & Locks32%
Seat Belts21%

Does the 2005 Land Rover LR3 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V248000SteeringJune 4, 2008 · 37,142 units

Defect

LAND ROVER IS RECALLING 37,142 MY 2005-2006 LR3 AND RANGE ROVER SPORT VEHICLES. RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL HUB AND/OR THE STEERING COLUMN COWL WITH THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH INCLUDES THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUITRY, COULD RESULT IN FRACTURING OF THE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTION. IF AN AIR BAG WIRE FRACTURES, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT INDICATES TO THE DRIVER THAT THERE IS A CONCERN WITH THE SRS SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT IMMEDIATE REPAIR IS NECESSARY.

Consequence

IF THE SRS WARNING LIGHT IS IGNORED AND A VEHICLE CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY TO COMMAND DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG OCCURS, THE AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE INTENDED MANNER. THE CONDITION MAY RESULT IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF ONLY ONE STAGE OF THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG OR THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AT ALL INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSERT 1MM SPACERS BETWEEN THE LOWER LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE COLUMN SWITCH MOUNTING POINT AND THE COLUMN LOCK TO IMPROVE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE COLUMN SWITCH. TWO FOAM PADS WILL ALSO BE FITTED TO THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN SWITCH GEAR TO PROVIDE ASSURED CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE COWL AND THE CLOCKSPRING FACE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

07E047000OtherJuly 3, 2007 · 245,845 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET THULE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACKS WITH FOLD DOWN STYLE BIKE ARMS. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACK.

Consequence

WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH POINT HAS TO POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.

Remedy

THULE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391). NOTES: LAND ROVER PURCHASED SOME OF THESE BIKE RACKS FOR USE ON THEIR LR3 AND RANGE ROVER SPORT VEHICLES, PART NO. LRNAPBR4. L. L. BEAN ALSO SELLS SOME OF THESE BIKE RACKS UNDER THE MODEL NAME OF HITCHING POST PRO (WD75, WD76, WD77, WD78, YL05, BBG9, BBH1, BBH2, BBH4), EXPRESSWAY (WD72, WD73, BBH5, BBH6), OR TRAILBLAZER (WD31, BBH7). REI HAS ALSO PURCHASED SOME OF THESE BIKE RACKS UNDER MODEL NAMES: HITCHING POST PRO (934, 934XT, 935, 935XT, 936, 936XT, 937, 937XT, 951, 951XT), EXPRESSWAY (995, 995XT, 996, 996XT), AND TRAILBLAZER (998, 998XT).

07V011000Fuel SystemJanuary 17, 2007 · 6,116 units

Defect

SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL TANKS THAT CONTAIN AN INTERNAL BREATHER PIPE THAT WAS NOT MADE TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SWELLING AND CRACKING OF A GROMMET AND SUBSEQUENT DETACHMENT OF THE BREATHER PIPE FROM A CONNECTOR TUBE. WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK IS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE DETACHED JOINT, FUEL MAY THEN ENTER THE BREATHER PIPE AND EXCESS FUEL MAY BE DISCHARGED ONTO THE GROUND.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

06V131000Electrical SystemApril 20, 2006 · 45,900 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED OFF, AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, IT IS POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN PARK.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE DRIVELINE CONTROL TRANSFER BOX ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) WITH REVISED SOFTWARE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-201-818-8500.

05V376000Fuel SystemAugust 29, 2005 · 17,263 units

Defect

SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL TANKS THAT CONTAIN AN INTERNAL BREATHER PIPE THAT WAS NOT MADE TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SWELLING AND CRACKING OF A GROMMET AND SUBSEQUENT DETACHMENT OF THE BREATHER PIPE FROM A CONNECTOR TUBE. WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK IS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE DETACHED JOINT, FUEL MAY THEN ENTER THE BREATHER PIPE.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE FUEL ODOR, DRIVABILITY CONCERNS SUCH AS HESITATION, MISFIRE, STALLING, ROUGH RUNNING, OR DIFFICULTY IN STARTING AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT MAY BE ILLUMINATED. IF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL FLOWING INTO THE BREATHER PIPE REACHES THE VAPOR CANISTER AND EXCEEDS ITS CAPACITY, THE EXCESS FUEL MAY BE DISCHARGED ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 24, 2005. 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.

THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION IS TOTALLY DEAD. THERE WAS A RECALL YEARS AGO BUT I DIDNT GET IT DONE. NOW WHEN I SEARCH RECALLS ITS NOT THERE, BECAUSE SOMEONE THINKS THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. THAT IS SIMPLY FALSE. I CAN BARELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE THE LEFT SIDE DROPPED DUE TO AIR SUSPENSION. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 9, 2016

FAILURE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V376000. FUEL TANK RECALL. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED PER RECALL BUT FAILURE OCCURRED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND SEVERAL GALLONS OF GAS WAS DUMPED ON THE GROUND CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED. FIRE DEPARTMENT CLEARED VEHICLE TO TOW TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 16, 2006

I JUST BOUGHT A 2005 LAND ROVER LR3 SE. TWO DAYS LATER AFTER A RAIN, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR WAS WET. THE NEXT DAY THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY STOPPED WORKING. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE SUNROOF DRAINS POURING WATER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 8, 2010

DT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN TRYING TO START IT. WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP IT LURCHED. ALSO DID THIS IN REVERSE. TOOK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT HAS STALLED OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES COMING OUT AROUND A CORNER. THEN IT LURCHED AT SLOWER SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 2005

I PURCHASED MY 2005 LAND ROVER LR3 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WITH JUST 17.999 MILES ON IT. JUST 7 SHORT MONTHS LATER WITH AN ADDITIONAL 8,000 MILES ON IT, TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 25,300 MILES, THE TIRES (WHICH WERE SUPPOSEDLY BRAND NEW AT TIME OF PURCHASE) WERE COMPLETELY BALD, AND THE STEERING COLUMN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 9, 2008

2005 Land Rover LR3 — common questions

Is the 2005 Land Rover LR3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 149 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 5 LR3 years. It is one of the LR3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 LR3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (20 complaints), fuel system (20 complaints), electrical system (19 complaints).

Does the 2005 Land Rover LR3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Land Rover LR3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Land Rover LR3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LR3 years to avoid are 2005, 2006. The cleanest record among LR3 years belongs to 2009.

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.