2008 Land Rover LR2 Problems
- Complaints
- 85filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles, 72 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Land Rover LR2 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2008 LR2 most often describe a humming, whining or grinding noise from the rear that a dealer or shop traces to the rear differential, frequently quoted as a four-figure repair. A second cluster of complaints covers no-start and electrical symptoms, and a smaller group describes coolant loss, intermittent overheating and weak air conditioning in warm weather or stop-and-go traffic.
- Transmission and drivetrain
Rear differential noise and failure
- 32 complaints (38%)
- median 74,600 mi at 7.0 yrs old (27 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 14 quotes)
- filed 2011–2025
Complaints describe a hum, whine or moan from the rear that grows louder with road speed, sometimes appearing when turning or at low speed. Shops and dealers typically diagnose the rear differential or its coupling assembly and quote replacement, often with an estimate in the low thousands of dollars. Some owners report the noise returned after a pinion bearing rebuild, and several say the dealer called it a known common condition. Widely spread from roughly 40,000 to 90,000 miles, with some reports closer to 20,000-40,000 miles.
What to check: Drive at highway speed and listen for a steady hum or whine from the rear, and repeat at low speed while turning. Ask whether the rear differential or coupling has ever been replaced or repaired and request any related service records.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I have been hearing a loud whirring noise coming from the back wheels and kept on getting louder. I took it in to auto repair and it is the rear differential that has gone out. After searching online I found that this is a common problem with 2008 LR2, and shoud be on recall!”
NHTSA complaint #10787818, filed 2015-11, 68,000 miles“Like others, our LR2 began to develop a whining sound from the rear around 85,000 mi (now at 88,000 soccer mom miles - never off road or abused). This car is a money pit. Ac went out at 80,000 ($2,000 repair), hood latch causing false alarms ($300), constantly needs brakes and rotors (every 25 to 30k miles), sunroof went (but apparently we just missed the VIN for the recall)($3,000), and now $4,000 for rear differential work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10643318, filed 2014-10, 85,000 miles - Electrical system
No-start, dead battery and electrical faults
- 19 complaints (22%)
- median 49,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (13 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 6 quotes)
- filed 2007–2025
Owners describe random no-starts where the engine turns or the dash lights up but the vehicle will not fire, sometimes after sitting a few days or in cold weather. Some report the battery going flat without explanation, dashboard lights flickering, or the car cutting out while driving and restarting only after a wait. According to complaints, dealers replaced batteries, reprogrammed modules or replaced the body control module, and in some cases said no fix was available. Reported from a few thousand miles up through 100,000 miles or more, often intermittent and sometimes weather-related.
What to check: Ask about battery age and any history of no-start tows or module replacements. Start the car several times from cold, check that all dash warning lights go out, and confirm the key fobs work reliably.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My automobile's battery dies (I have bought 2 new batteries) or runs out of charge when it gets too cold or when I do not drive it for 3 days or more. Sometimes, as I am driving it on a highway, it just cuts off, and I have to wait for at least 10 minutes and start it again. Sometimes it starts, sometimes it doesn't. Then I have to wait longer.”
NHTSA complaint #11281794, filed 2019-11, 85,389 miles“With 25,000 miles the keys were not working, we went to the dealer that told us that the inside battery gets recharge while we drive, both keys were not getting any charge, the battery can not be replaced, you will have to buy a new key and get it programmed by the dealer at a cost of $500.00 each in miami, there is no way to open the key or to get a cheaper key.”
NHTSA complaint #10846327, filed 2016-03, 25,000 miles - Engine
Engine stalling and rough idle
- 16 complaints (19%)
- median 68,900 mi at 7.1 yrs old (14 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2007–2025
Owners describe the engine stalling or nearly stalling at idle, at red lights or at low speed, with the revs rising and dropping. Complaints mention a check engine light, hesitation and a loss of power, and say dealers performed software updates or charged for diagnostics; one owner had the fuel pump replaced. Some report no-start conditions when the engine is hot or after short stops. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to around 79,000 miles.
What to check: Ask whether any PCM software update or fuel pump work has been done, and take a test drive that includes idling in traffic and a hot restart.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On april 11, 2014, a check engine light is on and rmps goes up and down at idle. I went to the dealership and had to pay $340.00 for diagnostic and software updates that should be free and covered by Land Rover, not by its customers. They use this trick as a high jacking point to squeeze money out of their customers' pockets. I have never experienced any such thing with any other vehicle I have ever owned. …”
NHTSA complaint #10579733, filed 2014-04, 66,800 miles“It seems like the car what's to stall and I noticed the rpms would shoot up and then drop and the car just about stalls. This happened to my wife and I about 8 different times in the last 4 months while driving and about 4 times while waiting for a red light to change or while stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #10682964, filed 2015-02, 71,000 miles - Engine cooling
Coolant loss, overheating and weak A/C
- 12 complaints (14%)
- median 45,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (11 state mileage)
- filed 2008–2014
Complaints describe the coolant level warning returning every few weeks, requiring repeated top-ups, with a leaking hose or reservoir found and replaced. Others report the temperature gauge climbing and the A/C quitting when the car is stopped or in slow traffic, then recovering once it cools. One owner reported the fan assembly and module replaced and the ECM reprogrammed. Mostly reported from about 12,000 to 62,000 miles, often in warm weather or stop-and-go driving.
What to check: Check the coolant level and look for dried residue or staining around hoses and the reservoir, and let the car idle with the A/C on to confirm the cooling fan runs and cold air holds.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“First brand new landrover LR2 had failed to operate while driving twice. Brought into dealership--told me transmission failed and gave me another new LR2. This second LR2 has overheated twice (again, while driving). The most recent event occurred while driving in the city and suddenly started to overheat while driving. I immediately dropped it off at the dealership which was nearby and smoke was coming out of the hood. It has been in the shop for going on to four weeks now.”
NHTSA complaint #10240779, filed 2008-09, 14,000 miles“Vehicle keep warning that coolant fluid was low every three weeks. We kept refilling the container with coolant fluid every 3 weeks which is not normal. Assume there was a leak. Took vehicle to dealer they found hose leaking. Dealer replaced bleed hose reservoir to engine. Leaking at engine. Shouldn't have coolant problems so soon with new vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10295055, filed 2009-12, 39,679 miles
Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with this model, focused on the rear differential, cooling system and battery/electrical behavior, is worth the cost on a 2008 LR2. Service records showing recent driveline and cooling work matter more than the odometer alone.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 85 consumer complaints for the 2008 Land Rover LR2. 72 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 128 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system14 16%
- Engine10 12%
- Engine cooling8 9.4%
- Other or unknown6 7.1%
- Suspension5 5.9%
- Brakes3 3.5%
- Fuel system3 3.5%
- Steering3 3.5%
Also reported: Air bags (2), Equipment (2), Body and structure (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “My wife and I started noticing a humming noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle that seems to slowly be getting worse. Then we started getting a transmission fault error message on the dash. Started doing research and have found many others with the same symptoms before their rear differential goes out completely. We are driving the LR2 across country a few times this next year. It's probaly going to go out at some point. If this is such a well known issue. I don't understand why a recall hasn't been issued!”
NHTSA complaint #11130698, filed 2018-09, 150,000 milesElectrical system: “Airbag and seat belt lights stay lit while driving. Dealer said when both lights are lit airbags will not deploy. $1000.00 to replace passenger seat cushion because of faulty sensor embedded in cushion. Now when I see the lights I turn vehicle off and then back on until I don't see the lights. Strange that a faulty sensor would disable safety features.”
NHTSA complaint #10622200, filed 2014-08, 120,000 milesEngine: “Humming noise when driving due to faulty differential. Only has 40,099 miles....also starts some days and other days may take up to 3 times before it will start without dying. Took to several shops that said they can't figure out problem and they called landrover only to be told, this is a common problem and no one solution has been found to fix it. This has been going on for 3 years and no one can fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11309287, filed 2020-02, 36,000 milesEngine cooling: “Periodically, the car temperature would suddenly shoot up overheating and the a.c. Would stop working. I had to pull over to cool down the engine and then the temperature would return back to normal and the a.c would start working again. Land rover said it was an intermittent open in the fan motor when it was hot . They replaced the fan assembly and module and reprogrammed the ECM.”
NHTSA complaint #10419760, filed 2011-08, 62,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
36% of the 72 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 Land Rover LR2 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LR2 4WD/AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 08V055000Feb 5, 2008Visibility › Sun/moon roof assemblyCovers: Land Rover LR2 2008
Land rover is recalling 12,353 my 2008 lr2 vehicles built with a sunroof. Failure of either the left or right hand side sunroof guide rail can occur when the sunroof is operated. Excessive stress can develop in the over-molded bracket which could lead to…
Recall details for the 2008 Land Rover LR2 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 128 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10186743Jan 25, 2021Equipment. RESCINDED - Windshield Wiper Noise / Judder / Streak - RESCINDED
- 10182154Oct 5, 2020Electrical system, Body and structure. The front and/or rear parking aid system may be inoperative.
- 10177599Jun 3, 2020Engine cooling. These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as…
- 10177598Jun 3, 2020Engine cooling. These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as…
- 10146152Jun 28, 2018Equipment. Issue: Customers / Dealers may report a concern with the condition of Seat Covers
- 10145631Jun 28, 2018Equipment. Issue: Customers / Dealers may report a concern with the condition of Seat Covers
- 10146148Jun 27, 2018Latches, locks and linkages. Issue: This SSM is to support the description provided in Technical Bulletin LTB00631 for compact key low level repair.
- 10145627Jun 27, 2018Equipment, Latches, locks and linkages. Issue: This SSM is to support the description provided in Technical Bulletin LTB00631 for compact key low level repair.
- 10142770May 16, 2018Equipment. Issue: The wrong component maybe replaced when troubleshooting Bluetooth connectivity in car.
- 10142767May 16, 2018Electrical system. Issue: The Touch Screen (TS) also known as Front Control Display Interface Module (FCDIM) or High Level Display Front (HLDF) on occasions may fail to download software correctly resulting in no…
Other model years of the Land Rover LR2
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 8 | 53,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 12 | 45,821 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 6 | 172,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 13 | 59,040 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 21 | 57,000 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 30 | 60,135 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2008 | 85 | 67,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
All Land Rover LR2 model years
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Land Rover LR2?
Owners of the 2008 LR2 most often describe a humming, whining or grinding noise from the rear that a dealer or shop traces to the rear differential, frequently quoted as a four-figure repair. The issues reported most often: Rear differential noise and failure; No-start, dead battery and electrical faults; Engine stalling and rough idle.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Land Rover LR2 have?
NHTSA recorded 85 consumer complaints for the 2008 Land Rover LR2 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Land Rover LR2 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 36 complaints (42% of the total), followed by electrical system with 14.
Has the 2008 Land Rover LR2 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Land Rover LR2 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Land Rover LR2 (LR2, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Land Rover LR2 reported?
Among the 72 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 90,000 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.