Used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2014-2022 reliability
Category: Luxury SUV
The Range Rover Sport is undeniably plush and refined, but its reliability is very poor.
What should I look for in a used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4?
This is a very large car that will have been used in tight urban areas and supermarket car parks, so look at the bodywork for any obvious signs of damage and the wheels and bumpers for scuffs. It’ll also quite possibly have been used off road, so check the undersides of the car for stone chips and any major signs of contact.
Make sure the seats move and operate as they should, including the pop-up ones in the boot, and do the same for the tailgate. Have a look at the leather for cracking, and at the back seats and the boot for impenetrable stains where the family pooch might have sat.
What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4?
Range Rover Sport problems span a wide range of areas, centring on the suspension, engine, engine electrics, air conditioning, sat-nav, car electrics, gearbox, drivetrain and bodywork. Leaks from the engine, sunroof and around the tailgate are also known issues.
All faults are well documented, with some specific ones being fixed easily and some requiring the car to be off the road for weeks.
Recalls
Recalls are as follows. Check with your local dealer that all work has been carried out.
Reason for recall
The second-row seat backrest on vehicles with the manual recline second-row seat system may not latch robustly in position. It is possible the seat belt may not correctly restrain the occupant in the event of a collision.
How the manufacturer will repair
On affected vehicles inspect the second-row seat mechanism and if necessary fit the correct specification components.
Number of affected vehicles
152
Reason for recall
The ground wiring for the air conditioning blower within the cockpit harness may not be to specification. This can lead to the wire getting hot and melting the plastic insulation and associated burning smell. If ignored and the loom gets significantly damaged there is a possibility of fire.
How the manufacturer will repair
Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the earth wire. Where other wiring/insulation is affected necessary repairs will be carried out using the correct repair procedures.
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, the road wheel nuts may not have been manufactured to the correct specification. These wheel nuts may crack when subject to shock loads and detach from the stud. This may lead to insecurity and possible detachment of a road wheel.
How the manufacturer will repair
Recall affected vehicles and replace wheel nuts. Locking wheel nuts are not affected.
Number of affected vehicles
926
Reason for recall
Vehicles failed to routinely achieve the required levels of CO2 emissions.
How the manufacturer will repair
Update the vehicle software to the latest version.
Number of affected vehicles
4779
Reason for recall
The door could be unlatched when in the closed position and no indication provided of an unlatched condition. Vehicle doors not latched in either the primary of secondary state may during driving open. This can increase the risk of a vehicle crash and/or compromise the safety of vehicle occupants and other road users.
How the manufacturer will repair
Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and download the latest level of software. A limited number of vehicles may also require a Remote Function Actuator module to be fitted.
Number of affected vehicles
35250
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, the servo vacuum hose may have been incorrectly routed and can chafe against the auxiliary drive pulley. This can lead to failure of the hose and a loss of brake servo assistance.
How the manufacturer will repair
On affected vehicles check brake servo hose. If in good condition correctly reroute and secure the hose. If the hose is damaged replace the hose and correctly route and secure.
Number of affected vehicles
1575
Reason for recall
The brazing of the fuel rail end caps is inconsistent and may not correctly seal the fuel rail ends. Fuel vapour and liquid fuel leaks can occur over time. This can lead to a liquid fuel leak into the engine bay.
How the manufacturer will repair
On affected vehicles replace the fuel rail with a correctly manufactured version.
Number of affected vehicles
1537
Reason for recall
On certain 2018 and 2019 Model Year Land Rover Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEV vehicles where the indicated fuel level on the fuel gauge shows approximately 30% the fuel tank is empty resulting in an engine stall. The vehicle will enter into reduced performance mode and if the customer continues to drive the vehicle will continue to run for circa 8 miles/13Km. The vehicle engine will then cut out without warning. If the traction battery charge status is at least 10% or greater the electric motor will take up drive until such time as traction battery power is depleted. Where the traction battery charge status is below 10% drive from the electric motor is not possible and the vehicle will cut out whilst in motion. All 12 volt powered electrical functions such as power-assisted steering exterior lighting and brake assistance will continue to operate as designed. Engine cut out with minimal warning to the driver may lead to an increased risk of an accident.
How the manufacturer will repair
Fit a new revised fuel level sensor float to the vehicle.
Number of affected vehicles
1000
Reason for recall
The crankshaft pulley retaining bolt may fracture due to a production specification error.
How the manufacturer will repair
Replace the crankshaft pulley centre retaining bolt with one that has been manufactured to the correct specification.
Number of affected vehicles
219
Reason for recall
The directional indicators may fail to operate.
How the manufacturer will repair
Update the vehicle with the latest software on affected vehicles.
Number of affected vehicles
2331
Reason for recall
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) feature will not be available.
How the manufacturer will repair
On affected vehicles download the latest software to the vehicle.
Number of affected vehicles
24
Reason for recall
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) crossover pipe may have been manufactured away from specification.
How the manufacturer will repair
Check and repair the vehicle with a part manufactured to the correct specification.
Number of affected vehicles
144
Reason for recall
The routing of the electrical harness within the steering column assembly has insufficient clearance.
How the manufacturer will repair
Inspect the steering column electrical harness apply further protective material and repair damaged wiring where required.
Number of affected vehicles
38
Is a used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4 reliable?
The Range Rover Sport finished sixth out of 10 cars in our list of the most reliable luxury cars, albeit with an overall score of 92.6%, which is higher than the car has achieved in recent years.
Although 24% of examples of the previous-generation, 2014-2022 Range Rover Sport developed a fault, 57% were fixed within a day and the rest took less than a week. Land Rover covered the cost of 71% of repairs, and most bills were below £500. Only 7% of owners had to pay more than £1500. Issues included bodywork, brakes interior trim and electrical faults.
Land Rover didn't fare well in our rundown of the most reliable used car brands: an 87.1% score put it in 29th place out of 34 brands. Again this was a slight improvement on last year's figures. That placing put it above Alfa Romeo, Cupra and Vauxhall, but below Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
Used Range Rover Sport reliability: the owners' view
As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers shared their experiences with the Range Rover Sport (2014-2022). Their feedback suggested that most of their cars had developed some sort of fault – a sentiment that’s backed up by the Range Rover Sport’s position as the second most unreliable luxury car in our survey.
The issues reported by owners ranged from relatively minor problems with the car’s infotainment system, to more serious mechanical issues relating to the Range Rover Sport’s air suspension and engine.
In addition, readers told us that replacing some of the Range Rover Sport’s consumable items during routine maintenance could prove expensive. And while readers seemed overall to be satisfied with their interactions with Land Rover’s dealer network, some noted that they needed to travel significant distances in order to reach one.
