Land Rover as a brand has always managed to offer rugged and practical vehicles and despite being in the premium segment, the Range Rover Sport poses to be a reliable option for many. This midsize SUV sells for $68,500 and despite being expensive, the brand sold over 25,000 units of the vehicle in 2019 and this proved the Range Rover Sport to be a well-accepted vehicle in its segment. The SUV does however have tough competition such as the BMW X5, the Jaguar F-Pace, and the Porsche Cayenne. In terms of complaint records, NHTSA carries 6 complaints and 2 recalls against the SUV, and though these numbers seem less, multiple concerns were raised regarding the vehicle's poor radiator protection and also issues with the instrument cluster and key fob not being detected by the vehicle. Let's take a look at the complaints and recalls in detail.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine cooling – One of the users reported that the car was driving normally when they noticed a low cooling warning. The contact felt the engine die completely and immediately stopped to inspect any visible faulty and as expected, the coolant was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The tow team was called and they stated that the debris from the road damaged the radiator, leading to the coolant leak and eventually frying the engine. The user had to claim a warranty and get the engine replaced and the radiator fixed.
Electrical Problems
- Key fob – It was found that the car failed to recognize the smart key and this resulted in the owner outside the vehicle not being able to enter. The dealers confirmed that the key was in good health and it was the Vehicle Control Unit that needed a repair. The dealers had to reset the system and resolve the issue.
- Instrument cluster – The users stated that the instrument cluster and all the dashboard electronics shut off by themselves while driving. This left the driver with no drive information and upon inspection, it was found that the cluster wiring was faulty that needed to be replaced.
Exterior Problems
- Tailgate spoiler – The Range Rover Sport comes with a sporty tailgate spoiler but some users complained that it failed to stay in place during the drive and detached from its place, causing a hazard to the motorists on the road. This happened due to poor design and quality, which isn’t generally associated with the brand.
2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
25th February 2021 |
21V117000 |
High Beam Malfunction/FMVSS 108 |
When the high beams are automatically activated, the Auto High Beam (AHB) system does not signal through the instrument cluster. The FMVSS number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," regulations are thus broken by these cars. The risk of a collision rises because the driver might not be aware that the high lights are on, which reduces visibility for oncoming traffic. |
Owners will receive notice from Land Rover, and dealers will update the software without charge. |
|
2. |
17th January 2019 |
19V040000 |
Crankshaft Pulley Bolt May Fracture |
The concerned vehicles have V6 or V8 engines, and the crankshaft pulley holding bolt may break, perhaps leading to engine failure. Crash danger may be increased by engine failure. |
Owners have been informed by Land Rover, and dealers will free of charge replace the crankshaft pulley center retaining bolt. |
Should you buy the 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport?
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a premium vehicle with daily drivable reliability. The SUV in our opinion is a great choice for someone looking for comfort and luxury while wanting the vehicle to last a long time without having to visit the mechanics frequently. Although the Range Rover Sport carried a few electrical malfunctions that even restricted the owners from entering the vehicle, Land Rover was able to act quickly and identify the core reason for the issue and instructed the dealers to fix them. With almost all issues taken care of and 2 recalls getting rid of major issues, we find the 2019 Range Rover Sport to be a great choice in the used car market but before picking one, we would recommend getting the vehicle professionally checked to ensure that it is free from issues such as a dead instrument cluster panel and the key fob detection issue. Also, get the radiator checked to see if there aren’t any physical damages that could cause a coolant leak, resulting in a totaled engine.
