AI Damage2008 Land Rover LR2: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Land Rover LR2 filed 85 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 85
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 42% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 36 complaints (42% of all).
- Electrical system: 14 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine: 10 complaints (12% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 8 complaints (9% of all).
- Visibility: 7 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 85 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 36 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contacted sustained face and chest injuries that required medical attention. The contact did not know if a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Ongoing problem with car not starting because of "steering wheel lock" message. Took to dealership first time and they replaced 2 fobs ($600) and starter ($2700). After 2 months same message came back on and car wouldn't start. I was left stranded in a parking lot at night.
Last year I noticed a humming, grinding sound coming from the rear wheels.I took it twice to the Fort Myers Florida LR dealer for service but they could not find the problem other than that the differential needed flushing (unusual for 39K miles).
The contact stated that the vehicle would not start with the key in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with body control module failure. The body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer.
The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the check engine light illuminated as the vehicle began to lose power. As the contact pulled the vehicle over, black smoke had come through the passenger air vents. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact saw flames coming from the engine.
The contact stated that the sunroof ceased in the opened position. The contact stated that one track was fractured. The vehicle was taken to land rover birmingham located at 3000 tom williams way, birmingham, [ZIP], where it was stated that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall.
If windows are open there is no way to secure. In one instance the key was in the ignition and was not able to retrieve it this is not being recognized addressed by land rover. Cannot keep on ignoring this issue.
When I would reenter, it would not start but my steering column would turn. The dealership, each time, said my steering column was locked because I needed a body control module, then a new battery, and the 3rd time I had a bad steering column. However, it was never a recall.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,931 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the LR2 has 20 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 85, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Land Rover LR2?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 85. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (12%), won't start (8%), windows, sunroof (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Land Rover LR2?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Land Rover LR2 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.