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How Long Do Range Rovers Last?

How Long Do Range Rovers Last?

The Range Rover is the epitome of luxury, class, and power. These are the reasons why it’s a common answer when you ask people what their dream car is. 

The old classic Range Rovers were built to serve the owner for a long time, with most of the 1970s and 80s models still on the roads today. 

However, the same can’t be said for the newer models, which don’t last quite as long as the older Range Rovers.

But just how long can you expect them to last?

Unfortunately, Range Rovers do not last very long. With regular servicing, proper maintenance, and careful driving habits, you can expect a Range Rover to last anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000 miles, or about 10 to 13. Once you get within this range, the cost for repairs becomes more expensive and less economical. 

Range Rovers have quite the reputation with regards to their reliability and longevity. 

These powerful 4×4 English off-roaders are comfortable for long-distance driving and functional, but they are marred with problems.

The most recent consumer report gave the 2021 Range Rover a low ‘predicted reliability rating of 1.0 / 5.0.

With so many reported problems, it will cost an arm and a leg to maintain a Ranger Rover over 200,000 miles. 

Although it’s possible with the older models, the newer models have several issues that could affect their longevity. 

Despite the problems, some owners swear that the Range Rover is a long-lasting vehicle.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems in Range Rovers and how you can make your vehicle last longer.

What Problems Do Range Rovers Have?

Despite the popularity among the rich and famous, Range Rovers have had several safety and fault problems. 

Range Rover owners have lodged numerous complaints over the past few years, leading to recalls of some of the models.

The following are some of the most common problems that plague Range Rover problems in today’s models:

1. Air Suspension

The reliability rankings for most Range Rover categories in terms of air suspension mark is very low. 

This issue with the air suspension is prevalent and occurs after using the vehicle for a few years.

Replacing the original air suspension with the traditional coils is very costly. 

The cost of a spring replacement during an air suspension replacement is between $1,405 – $1,478. 

The labor for said replacement costs from $180 – $229. The parts themselves are the priciest, ranging from $1,225 – $1,249.

2. Oil Leaks and Electronic Problems

Even before a Range Rover reaches 60,000 miles, there are concerns about heater core failure, leaking oil, and head gasket failure problems. 

Oil leaks are often experienced inside valve cover gaskets and oil cooler lines, vital parts of the vehicle’s internal systems.

When the engine is constantly overheating, head gasket failure is inevitable. This leads to leaking of the coolant and radiator clogging. 

You can tell that you have a blown head gasket if hot exhaust gases get into the coolant system, causing the engine to overheat.

You will also notice a loss in power, i.e., there is little to no compression leading to a rough running engine and reduced engine performance. 

There can be white smoke coming from the exhaust caused by leaking antifreeze into the cylinders from the faulty gasket. 

The combustion process changes the antifreeze into steam which you can see as white smoke.

With a blown head gasket, your Range Rover is likely to experience oil contamination. On the underside of the filler cap, you will notice a milky sludge formed by the coolant. 

This will inform you that you will have to fix or replace the engine to get to the root cause of your vehicle’s engine problems.

3. Sunroof Water Leaks

This can occur as early as 55,000 miles or less and is common in Range Rovers. 

The sunroof tends to leak because of pinched sunroof drains. 

The sunroof drain should collect the water collected by the sunroof glass and lead it to the corners of the sunroof housing under the glass. 

The water then flows through plastic tubes inside the car’s body and is drained to the ground. 

If the drains are pinched and unable to operate correctly, the water collected on the sunroof will leak into the vehicle, which is a nuisance.

4. Parking Brake Failure

Some Range Rover owners have complained about hearing loud sounds when the parking brake is engaged while securing the car.

They have also reported that their brakes have failed on multiple occasions. 

Both these issues can be attributed to the parking brake being out of alignment. This issue requires immediate attention and could cost up to $600 depending on labor costs.

5. Steering Shaft Problems

You will notice loud noises such as clunking and popping sounds as you turn the steering wheel if your steering shaft is malfunctioning. 

In most cases, as the issue becomes more severe, you will have a hard time turning the steering wheel. 

This could result in putting more thought and stretch into steering, affecting your reaction time which makes driving dangerous.

Steering shaft issues lead to the corrosion of bearings which ideally should operate the steering shaft smoothly. 

Your steering wheel will also tilt at an awkward angle because the steering shaft isn’t holding it in the right place. It might also fail to turn back to the middle while driving.

Range Rovers Years to Avoid

The worst year model was the 2017 Range Rover because most owners complained of water leaks through the windshield. 

The problem occurred as early as 250 miles but was fixed under the vehicle’s warranty. 

It also has oil leaks problems from 70,000 miles and, in some, even less.

Before the 2017 model, the 1998 Range Rover was the worst with AC/heater malfunctions and brake failure.

There have been 32 Range Rover recalls over the last few years, most of which were because of electrical system faults.

 The following are yearly models and the number of recalls they have had in that same year. 

It’s safe to say that you should stay away from the years with the highest number of recalls.

Model YearNumber of Recalls
20211
2020
20195
20184
20174
20163
20156
20142
20131
20121
20092

9 Tips for Making Your Range Rovers Last Longer

1. You should always refer to your service and owner’s manual to ensure that you keep up with the vehicle’s required maintenance schedule and service visits. If you ensure that the vehicle is operating optimally, you will not experience unforeseen breakdowns.

2. The body and paint of a Range Rover require handling with care to avoid rust. Wash your vehicle regularly to remove grime and dirt, paying extra attention to the undercarriage.

3. Inspect your vehicle regularly and take note of the different fluid levels of the engine oil, brake oil, coolant, water, and transmission fluid. If they are below the recommended level, top them up with the recommended fluid for your Range Rover.

4. Even though the Range Rover is a 4×4 and can perform on snow-filled roads and rough terrains, you should take care while driving in such conditions. Careless driving will lead to faster wear and tear of parts and components which are expensive to replace.

5. If possible, always park your vehicle under a shade or in a garage to protect it from the harsh weather elements.

6. Only tow what the manufacturer has provided in your owner’s manual.

7. Pay close attention to your car’s instrument panel, which uses information and warning lights to indicate something is wrong. Please don’t ignore these lights because they can save your vehicle from significant damage.

8. Repair minor issues early instead of letting them linger on for too long. Eventually, these problems become too big and costly to fix.

9. Remember to rotate your tires regularly for even wear.

Are Range Rovers Long Lasting Cars?

The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no because many factors could determine whether a vehicle lasts long or not. In this case, a Range Rover has many upsides and could definitely last long if it is well maintained and serviced regularly. 

Buy either a new vehicle or one with the lowest mileage to use your vehicle for a long time. 

Zach Reed

Hi, I'm the founder of VehicleAnswers.com! Having owned a wide variety of vehicles in my life, I was astounded at how hard it can be to find answers to common automotive questions. Rather than sit idly, I decided to create this website to help others!