2004 Land Rover Range Rover: common problems

Owners of the 2004 Land Rover Range Rover filed 67 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and equipment. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 67

What fails most often

1 Powertrain 37% of all complaints
2 Equipment 24% of all complaints
3 Steering 12% of all complaints
4 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
5 Suspension 9% of all complaints
6 Engine 6% of all complaints
7 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
8 Electrical system 3% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Powertrain: 25 complaints (37% of all).
Equipment: 16 complaints (24% of all).
Steering: 8 complaints (12% of all).
Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (9% of all).
Suspension: 6 complaints (9% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

4.4 L · petrol · 8 cyl
automatic, 5-speed

Drive: AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 67 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

knocking, grinding or other noise7 · 10%
warning lights, check engine6 · 9%
loss of power / limp mode4 · 6%
vibration4 · 6%
transmission slipping3 · 4%
jerking, harsh shifts2 · 3%
rollaway, parking brake2 · 3%
infotainment or screen glitches2 · 3%
smoke, burning smell, fire2 · 3%
unintended acceleration2 · 3%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Powertrain	25	0	0
Equipment	16	0	0
Steering	8	0	0
Engine and cooling	6	0	0
Suspension	6	0	0
Engine	4	0	0
Service brakes	4	0	0
Electrical system	2	0	0
Structure	2	0	0
Exterior lighting	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	0
Lane departure	1	0	0
Tires	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.

When I brake over speed bumps and downhills, the brakes vibrate and pulsate creating danger to stop hard. I've a had brake inspections and everything is ok. Abs system seems the problem and I wish I could repair it
Service brakes · 2021-05-05 · NHTSA complaint #11415331
This range rover steering is definitely, blind spot warning doesn't work, fuel gauge never now how much fuel is in the tank before it runs out of fuel.
Steering · 2021-03-01 · NHTSA complaint #11398395
I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine compartment. After having it diagnosed at the range rover dealership I was told that it was the tensioner guides and that I would need a new engine.
Engine · 2019-05-14 · NHTSA complaint #11207425
Driving 75mph on interstate, while passing semi trailer, suddenly a loud thump and loss of drive to wheels, lost of power and sudden lost up hill I lost control of vehicle. Semi avoided me, and I was barely able to control body roll but safely brought vehicle to stop of the side of road.
Powertrain · 2016-04-18 · NHTSA complaint #10860120
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 land rover range rover. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
Steering · 2015-12-18 · NHTSA complaint #10811181
Grand-daughter was driving my range rover. While driving the steering wheel dropped down into her lap. Was able to brake and slowly turn wheel to pull off road. Steering column would telescope but not raise/lower.
Steering · 2015-06-29 · NHTSA complaint #10731114
I also checked for leaks but did not notice anything; brakes operation was noticeably different but ok so I cautiously continued driving (no warning lights no sensors had gone off). Approximately 35 miles later and at highway speed sensors and lights went crazy telling me I had no brake pressure.
Service brakes · 2015-02-09 · NHTSA complaint #10682308
Check engine light is on. Took truck through inspection and it failed. Took truck to range rover dealer, paid for diagnostic test ($120.38) and was told there was an air leak. Paid $723.53 drove about 1 block and the light came on again. Turned around and took truck back to dealer.
Engine · 2014-03-12 · NHTSA complaint #10568932

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

200825
200914
20105
20113
20123
20133
20143
20155
20161
20191
20213
20231

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 4,533 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Range Rover has 25 complaints (41 years in the data). This year has 67, above average.

What to check before buying

Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Land Rover Range Rover?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, equipment, steering. Total complaints: 67. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (10%), warning lights, check engine (9%), loss of power / limp mode (6%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Land Rover Range Rover?

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 2004 Land Rover Range Rover 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 2004 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.