VehicleVerdict

2004 Land Rover Range Rover problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 78 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median Range Rover year — the 2004 model ranks #6 of 41 Range Rover years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 25 reports (32% of the total).

78

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Range Rover years?

Range Rover NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Range Rover years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Land Rover Range Rover problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2532%
Other1418%
Engine1013%
Steering810%
Suspension68%
Electrical System56%
Brakes45%
Body & Structure23%
Lighting11%
Fuel System11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Driver Assistance11%

Does the 2004 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.

“I HAVE A 2004 RANGE ROVER AND MY BROTHER HAS A 2003. I JUST HAD MY CAR TOWED TODAY TO LAND ROVER TO FIX A DIFF PROBLEM THAT OBVIOUSLY MOST 2002-2005 MODELS HAVE AND LAND ROVER WANTS TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT! MINE HAS 64K ON IT AND MY BROTHERS HAD 58K ON IT. TOTAL BS THAT IT BREAKS LIKE THAT SO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 25, 2008

“I OWN A 2002 FREELANDER SE THAT HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS THAT HAVE LEFT THE CAR STALLING ON THE ROAD OR OVERHEATING. I HAVE ALL REPAIR PAPERWORK AND HAVE OBEYED ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. THE ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT LAND ROVER REFUSES TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 19, 2009

“WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE SMOKE APPEARED THROUGH THE CRACKS OF THE DASH BOARD. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED INTO THE OFF POSITION AND WHEN TRYING TO START IT AGAIN, IT DIDN'T TURN, THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED. FLAMES THEN SHOT THROUGH THE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE RADIO. WITHIN SECONDS THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 13, 2012 · fire

“GRAND-DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY RANGE ROVER. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL DROPPED DOWN INTO HER LAP. WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND SLOWLY TURN WHEEL TO PULL OFF ROAD. STEERING COLUMN WOULD TELESCOPE BUT NOT RAISE/LOWER. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED, KEPT TRYING ADJUSTMENT LEVER UNTIL FINALLY COLUMN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 26, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER HSE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE AIR SUSPENSION INACTIVE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY LOWERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 27, 2010

2004 Land Rover Range Rover — common questions

Is the 2004 Land Rover Range Rover reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 78 complaints put the 2004 model at #6 of 41 Range Rover years. It is one of the Range Rover years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Range Rover problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (25 complaints), other (14 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 2004 Land Rover Range Rover have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 Land Rover Range Rover. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.