VehicleVerdict

2003 Land Rover Range Rover problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 133 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.3 times the median Range Rover year — the 2003 model ranks #1 of 41 Range Rover years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 71% of all reports (95 of 133), far ahead of steering at 8.

133

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Range Rover years?

Range Rover NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted133 complaints1974: 0 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 6 complaints1990: 14 complaints1991: 7 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 25 complaints1994: 13 complaints1995: 46 complaints1996: 50 complaints1997: 27 complaints1998: 28 complaints1999: 38 complaints2000: 34 complaints2001: 7 complaints2002: 25 complaints2003: 133 complaints2004: 78 complaints2005: 44 complaints2006: 84 complaints2007: 22 complaints2008: 36 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 23 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 22 complaints2013: 37 complaints2014: 67 complaints2015: 102 complaints2016: 95 complaints2017: 84 complaints2018: 38 complaints2019: 27 complaints2020: 24 complaints2021: 12 complaints2022: 3 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 16 complaints2025: 12 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Range Rover NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Range Rover years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Land Rover Range Rover problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission9571%
Steering86%
Electrical System65%
Suspension54%
Engine54%
Brakes54%
Other54%
Lighting11%
Latches & Locks11%
Airbags11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2003 Land Rover Range Rover have recalls?

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

08V635000TransmissionDecember 3, 2008 · 19,168 units

Defect

LAND ROVER IS RECALLING 19,168 MY 2003-2005 RANGE ROVER VEHICLES. THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING SLEEVE AND THE PROPELLER SHAFT MAY BE MISALIGNED, RESULTING IN SPLINE WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. AS THE WEAR BETWEEN THE PROPELLER SHAFT AND THE DIFFERENTIAL SPLINE COUPLING PROGRESSES, NOISE AND VIBRATION ARE EXPECTED.

Consequence

CONTINUED VEHICLE OPERATION CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN THE SPLINES SHEARING AND A LOSS OF DRIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN OF THE PROPELLER SHAFT, THE FLANGE KIT AND HEAT SHIELD KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2009. 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.

“ DRIVING AT 55 MILES AN HOUR AND CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD SEARING NOISES AND COULD NOT PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR, SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. CAR SAID TO SLIP IT INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH I DID, THEN IT CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. PRETTY SCARY GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 12, 2008

“TILT STEERING COLUMN FAILURE CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE FREELY. TELESCOPING FEATURE CAUSING FREE MOVEMENT OF STEERING WHEEL ON THE VERTICAL AXIS. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 9, 2009

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR PASSENGERS STARTED TO COUGH, THE CONSUMER TURNED AROUND AND NOTICED SMOKE FILLING THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. *AK *SCC *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 23, 2003 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSAXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 1, 2005

“2003 RANGE ROVER HSE , LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, 5 MINUTES LATER A GRINDING NOISE HAPPENED THAT WAS VERY LOUD. THE CAR RESPONDED WITH A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO APPLY GAS. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY AND COULD PULL THE CAR OVER. *TR THE CHECK ENGINE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 5, 2007

2003 Land Rover Range Rover — common questions

Is the 2003 Land Rover Range Rover reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 133 complaints put the 2003 model at #1 of 41 Range Rover years. It is one of the Range Rover years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Range Rover problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (95 complaints), steering (8 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints).

Does the 2003 Land Rover Range Rover have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 Land Rover Range Rover. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Land Rover Range Rover under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Land Rover Range Rover years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Range Rover years to avoid are 2003, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2006, 2004, 2014, 1996, 1995, 2005, 2018, 1999, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Range Rover years belongs to 2026.

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.