The vehicle out of nowhere began to make a werid clacking noise (possibly the lifters so we thought) my husband immediately pulled off the freeway the car sputtered; The engine immediately SEIZED, BEGAN TO SMOKE, and CAUGHT FIRE.
The worst 2012 Land Rover Range Rover problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine5
- Transmission5
- Airbags2
- Brakes2
- Electrical2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine5
- Transmission5
- Airbags2
- Brakes2
- Electrical2
- Suspension2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Unless included in "Zone B" above, Land Rover is recalling certain 2010-2012 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1‑800‑637‑6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is P084.
Recall number 18V015000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2012 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, Land Rover is recalling certain 2009 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, Land Rover is recalling certain 2007-2008 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1‑800‑637‑6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is P082.
Recall number 17V015000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles manufactured April 15, 2005, to September 4, 2012. One or both of the flexible front brake hoses may rupture causing loss of brake fluid.
- Risk
- If one or both of the flexible brake hoses fails, the vehicle may require a longer distance to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front brake hoses, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1‑800‑637‑6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is P054.
Recall number 15V039000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- Land Rover is recalling certain model year 2012 Range Rover vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the windshields on these vehicles may have been installed incorrectly.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the windshield may come loose from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury to the vehicle's occupants.
- Remedy
- Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshields. The recall began on October 29, 2012. Owners may contact Land Rover at 1‑800‑637‑6837.
Recall number 12V485000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover 284
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Smart Key Deactivated message on instrument cluster and unable to start their vehicle
- Engine Will Crank, No Start When At Operating Temperature
- Leaking windshield that caused the water ingress on the electrical component.
- There have been several FRED submissions for a customer allegation of a rear brake warning being...
- There have been several FRED submissions for a customer allegation of a brake noise concern.
- There have been several FRED submissions for a customer allegation of brake judder/vibration.
- Front / Rear Door Latch
- Full Service Required’’ message displayed on the Instrument Cluster.
- The front and/or rear parking aid system may be inoperative.
- Active Stabilization System
2012 Land Rover Range Rover fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 12 | 18-19 | 14-15 |
What 2012 Land Rover Range Rover owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
In January 2025 I noticed light ticking/knocking at startup, idle, and while driving. On January 23, 2025 I searched online for how to check the oil level and for an L322 dipstick location (there is none). Only after finding a YouTube video with an undocumented override (double-pressing the “Cancel” button) was I able to see the oil level on January 31, 2025, and it showed zero. I added oil immediately, but the knocking gradually worsened over the following months until very loud clattering began on July 4, 2025. The electronic oil level monitoring and warning system failed. When I followed the owner’s manual procedure to check the oil, the display repeatedly showed “Oil Level Not Available” and never gave any low-oil or no-oil warning, even when the actual oil level was zero. Because this system is the only way to check oil level on this vehicle (there is no dipstick), it prevented me from knowing the engine had no oil. The engine then suffered progressive internal bearing/rod damage and now makes extremely loud clattering. The vehicle and components are still in my possession and are available for inspection upon request. The system’s failure meant I unknowingly drove the vehicle with zero oil, which can cause sudden engine failure, loss of power, and possible engine seizure while driving at highway speed. I used this vehicle on Los Angeles freeways, so a sudden loss of power could have led to an accident or left me stranded in a dangerous location. The vehicle now runs with severe clattering and is unsafe to drive, so I have parked it to avoid a complete failure in traffic. The vehicle has been parked since the severe failure on July 4, 2025 because I have not yet been able to afford towing and diagnostic work. There were no low-oil or oil-pressure warning lamps at any time. Prior to the failure, when I tried to check the oil level using the procedure in the owner’s manual, the display repeatedly showed the message “Oil Level Not Available.”
Gearbox failure. NO warning lamps, symptoms or messages prior to the incident. While driving down the road, upon accelerating; the vehicle would not move forward. The shift was in drive. There was an indicating (grinding) noise beneath the vehicle. Had this been on a highway it had great potential to become a severe danger to myself and passengers, or other drivers! found to be transfer case and connecting transmission spline ground to a powder. It was towed to the Land Rover service department.
When curving left, driving 50mph, the slightest bump, such as a lane marker makes the front passenger wheel bounce independently from the other three tires and makes the steering wheel shake. It's possible to lose control. The problem has been identified as a control arm. I have had this problem repaired 3 times. Why does this keep happening, specifically to that side? Repairs took place in 2016, 2018, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated that when she entered the vehicle, she was unable to close the front passenger’s side door. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that the front passenger’s side door latch was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the door latch was replaced; however, the contact then stated that the driver's door was unable to close. The contact became aware that the door latch was also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V387000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
The component that Failed was the transmission outline Spline due to lack of lubrication from the factory. This causes the component to fail over time due to corrosion. When this component fails it makes the whole driveline fail/slip. Can happen while making a turn with fast approaching vehicles coming at your through the opposite lane. Also makes the vehicles parking function fail. As the car will roll freely when the shift indicator is in the Park position. The problem has been diagnosed by a certified Mechanic There are no warning lamps, messages or symptoms when this problem happens. Everything is working fine and the next second it is failing.
The contact owns a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and surging. Additionally, the contact heard abnormally loud sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently. The contact stated while driving approximately 5-10 MPH in her brother's driveway, the vehicle went into restricted driving mode, jerked forward continuously until she reached the end of the driveway. An unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the Variable Timing Activator (VTA) had failed, the engine jumped timing, there was an internal engine damage, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance due to the mileage and age of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 140,693.
The front air suspension went out while I was driving it. I've had it repaired 2 times and it continues to fail within a day from repair. Unable to drove the vehicle.
The driver side door latch does not lock and it doesn't respond to the key fob or interior switch. This condition state does not change if the vehicle is mobile or stationary.
Car was perfectly fine, well maintained, then just stopped running.. Took it to a mechanic, and said entire engine was blown / ruined.
Compare the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover
Other model years
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Questions about the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover
Is the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover reliable?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover, fewer than a typical Range Rover model year.
What is the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover year score?
The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover scores 76 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Land Rover Range Rover: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover?
Engine and cooling, with 5 complaints. Next is transmission (5).
How many recalls does the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, service brakes, hydraulic and visibility.
What year does the Land Rover Range Rover have bad engine?
The Land Rover Range Rover model years with the most engine complaints are 1996 (12 complaints), 2018 (11 complaints) and 2004 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover range from 14 to 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.0L 8-cyl, 4WD) gets 12 city and 18-19 highway.
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