Land Rover is known to make cars that are built like a tank and can tread anywhere. The Range Rover Evoque is their tiniest offering but the $41,100 price tag kept its sales at a low at just 14,583 units last year. The build quality is sturdy but where the users have faced issues is majorly in terms of the powertrain performance. 64 complaints and 7 recalls might not be a lot but it is concerning when considering the sales figures of the Evoque. This subcompact SUV is up against the BMW X3, the Audi Q5, and the Volvo XC60.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Start/Stop – The eco button on the Evoque was said to not work intermittently, leaving the car not starting after depressing the gas pedal at a traffic light. The dealers stated that there is a secondary battery that is used for this function and that it had a very low charge. It was recommended to replace the battery as there was no other reason for the battery drain to happen.
- Door latch – The users stated that the driver’s door would not open from the outside using the key fob and required them to unlock it manually from the inside through the passenger side. The dealer claimed this to be a very common issue with this model and suggested getting the locks replaced.
- Headlights – The headlight bulb was reported to blow out frequently, causing safety concerns while riding at night. It was found that the wiring harness had low resistance due to a poor ground connection and the dealers replaced the wiring and the bulbs to solve the issue.
Mechanical Problems
- Powertrain – The users experienced poor gearshifts and a sudden drop in power with the car ultimately stalling. The check engine light flashed and the car was taken to the dealership where it was stated that the turbocharger has an internal defect from the manufacturer that causes the car to stall. This was said to be very common and the component had to be replaced.
- Transmission – The users stated that the gearbox would shift to neutral while driving without any warning. This decreases the speed of the vehicle drastically and can lead to an accident.
- Steering – The driver claimed that the steering wheel seized without any warning and almost avoided a major crash. The dealers were able to find fractured steering rack bolts and replacing them solved the issue.
Exterior Problems
- Front bumper – The bumper was noticed to develop a crack near the place where it meets the fender. This was reportedly caused due to heat or excess tension from the headlights. This could cause safety concerns and require the users to get the bumper replaced.
Structural Problems
- Fuel inlet – The design of the gas tank opening where the gas handle is placed has a design flaw that triggers the handle to stop pumping fuel even though the tank isn’t full. It takes multiple attempts to fill the tank and only when the fuel overflows, does the user know that the tank is full. This can lead to a fire if there is a heat source or a spark present when the fuel overflows.
2015 Range Rover Evoque recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
2nd July 2020 |
20V387000 |
Doors may open unexpectedly |
Unlatched doors may open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The KV latch system will be inspected and update the software if necessary. |
|
2. |
24 May 2019 |
19V392000 |
Doors may unexpectedly open |
If the doors open while on the move, it can lead to an injury or even death. |
The latch system will be inspected and the software will be updated. |
|
3. |
23rd August 2016 |
16V614000 |
Transmission unexpectedly shifts to neutral |
The transmission sensor cluster may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, resulting in an unexpected shift into neutral. |
Dealers will inspect the transmission and update the transmission software if needed. |
|
4. |
25th September 2015 |
15V600000 |
Second-row seat back may not latch properly |
Unlatched seatback may not properly restrain the occupant, leading to an increased risk of injury. |
The second-row seats will be inspected and replaced if necessary. |
|
5. |
17 June 2015 |
15V385000 |
Doors may unexpectedly unlatch when closed. |
This can lead to an occupant falling out of a moving car. |
The keyless entry software will be updated. |
|
6. |
18th February 2015 |
15V093000 |
Passenger airbag may be disabled |
If the front passenger airbag does not deploy during a crash, it can lead to an injury. |
The occupant classification system software will be updated. |
|
7. |
18th February 2015 |
15V092000 |
Wheel lug nuts may crack. |
If one or more lug nuts detach, the wheel could detach and cause the vehicle to lose control. |
The lug nuts will be replaced with a new set. |
Should you buy the 2015 Range Rover Evoque?
The 2015 Range Rover Evoque has proved itself to be a luxurious subcompact SUV but it suffers in terms of reliability as the Evoque has been reported to carry a few mechanical issues with its powertrain. Land Rover has issued multiple recalls but it hasn’t covered all the problems that the customers have been facing. It was noticed that the Evoque carries a major structural issue with the door latches that can open the door while moving which was fixed in batches but users have had the same complaints post the recall as their VIN number didn’t fall under the recall list. This is the reason why the majority of buyers prefer the BMW as it offers a much better value for a similar price and the only segment where the Evoque is rated better than the 2015 BMW X3 is in terms of the design.
