VehicleVerdict

2005 Land Rover Range Rover problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 44 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Range Rover year — the 2005 model ranks #10 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 48% of all reports (21 of 44), far ahead of engine at 5.

44

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Range Rover years?

Range Rover NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Range Rover years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Land Rover Range Rover problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2148%
Engine511%
Steering49%
Other49%
Electrical System37%
Suspension37%
Fuel System12%
Body & Structure12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Latches & Locks12%

Does the 2005 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.

“AS I STARTED UP FROM A STOP AT A LIGHT I FELT A CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END. I STARTED TO INCREASE SPEED AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A SUDDEN TURN TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE IN THE ROAD. THE FRONT END FROZE UP.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 30, 2015 · crash

“COMPLAINT: FIRE ERUPTING FROM 2005 RANGE ROVER HSE 2005 RANGE ROVER HSE, PURCHASED IN 2004-5 FROM SCOTTSDALE, AZ LAND ROVER. ON JUNE 1, 2010, WHILE VEHICLE OCCUPANT DRIVING TO WORK IN PHOENIX, AZ, FOLLOWING DASHBOARD MESSAGE APPEARED WITH THE ABBREVIATION, "TRANS FAILSAFE PROG." THE RANGE ROVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2010 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 11, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A TIRE WITH THE FACTORY ISSUED JACK, THE JACK FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE AND THE ROTOR FELL ONTO THE WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 5, 2015

“I PURCHASED MY RANGE ROVER 2005 HSE (USED) FROM LAND LOVER OF PARSIPPANY PAUL MILLER ON 2-26-2011 WITH 61981 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. OUT OF THE LAST 30 DAYS THE CAR HAS BEEN DYSFUNCTIONAL AT THE DEALER FOR 15 DAYS PRIMARILY WITH ELECTRIC BOX FAN NOISE, DEAD BATTERY, FAULTY ALTERNATOR AND DEAD FUEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 26, 2011

2005 Land Rover Range Rover — common questions

Is the 2005 Land Rover Range Rover reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 44 complaints put the 2005 model at #10 of 41 Range Rover years. It is one of the Range Rover years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Range Rover problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (21 complaints), engine (5 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2005 Land Rover Range Rover have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 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 2005 Land Rover Range Rover under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.