2006 Land Rover LR3 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 Land Rover LR3 most often describe uneven tire wear, usually on the inside edges, along with air suspension compressor and suspension fault light problems, and sudden power loss or stalling. All tire complaints that list mileage fall between about 8,000 and 19,000 miles, and some say alignment work did not stop the wear. Mileage is spread widely across the other complaints, so age-related patterns are hard to judge.

1. 1
   Tires

   Uneven tire wear, often on inside edges

   • 11 complaints (22%)
   • median 16,000 mi at 1.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2011

   Owners describe uneven tire wear, usually on the inside edges, on one or more tires, and some say it began soon after purchase. Several complaints say an alignment was adjusted or checked, yet the wear returned, or the owner was told the warranty had expired and had to pay. Some describe loud cabin noise, tread worn through to the belts, and a dealer that blamed tire quality, while one says staff mentioned a bulletin on alignment and balancing. Tire complaints that list mileage fall between about 8,000 and 19,000 miles, and some describe wear that appeared soon after purchase.

   What to check: Look for inside-edge wear on all tires and ask for alignment and tire service records before buying. Ask whether any manufacturer bulletin on alignment or balancing was applied, since some owners describe wear returning after an alignment.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have experienced abnormal tire wear on my 2006 LR3. The tires started wearing unevenly immediately after the purchase. The dealer changed some alignment issues at 10,000 miles that said they were from a defect at the factory and I was told the tires would start to wear evenly. At 16,000 the tires were found to be wearing unevenly again and I was told that they needed replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10188694, filed 2007-04, 16,079 miles

   “I own a 2006 landrover LR3 with 21,000 miles. All four tires were found to wearing only on the inside only by the dealer at 16,000 miles. At 21,000 miles the dealer informed me that all four tires are dangerously worn and that they need to be replaced. They are worn on the inside only.”

   NHTSA complaint #10196365, filed 2007-07, 16,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Air suspension compressor and fault light

   • 12 complaints (24%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2025

   Owners describe the suspension fault light coming on while driving, sometimes with the vehicle rising, dropping or moving up and down. The air suspension compressor is often described as failing, and some owners say it was replaced more than once or that the suspension still did not rise normally afterward. In one case the owner reports a fire in a parked vehicle after repeated compressor work, and the fire department and insurer reportedly attributed the fire to the compressor. Some owners say the dealer could not complete a repair because the part was on back order, and others report paying for a compressor replacement, including after the warranty had ended. Suspension complaints that list mileage fall between about 39,000 and 133,000 miles, and several say the fault light came on while driving.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the air suspension bulletins for compressor replacement, including the software update and the relay replacement, were carried out. During a test drive, check that the suspension fault light stays off and that the vehicle rises and lowers normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I began to notice a rattling noise coming from underneath the driver's side, while driving at any speed. After a week, the suspension fault light came on. I was told the suspension compressor needed to be replaced, so I went ahead with the repairs at a cost of $1600. When I picked up the vehicle and tested the suspension, it would not raise into off road height. It lowered fine, but when I put it in normal height, only the rear would raise. It also took a lot longer than usual. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10599080, filed 2014-06, 103,000 miles

   “I bought a 2006 LR3 about a year ago from a dealer in south florida. The vehicle only has 39k miles on it and last week the suspension fault indicator came on. I took the truck to the dealer to have a diagnostic and they told me that the suspension compressor is not working. To replace the part is $1200 because the car is no longer under warranty. If the compressor fails, the suspension fails and the truck can end up riding on the tires at any time until the compressor is fixed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10355236, filed 2010-09, 39,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalls, sudden power loss or hesitation

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 71,350 mi at 7.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2017

   Owners describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, including on a highway and when stopping quickly. One owner says the engine shut down right away after a timing chain broke on the highway, and another says the vehicle lost power and came to a complete stop on a freeway on two occasions. One complaint describes the engine suddenly losing power with a park brake warning, followed by a transmission warning, and another describes slow acceleration from a stop, with the vehicle hesitating before it moves. One owner brought a leased vehicle to the dealer three times, and repair orders for software reflashes did not end the hesitation. Listed mileage ranges from about 230 to about 197,000 miles, and several events happened on the highway or while stopping quickly.

   What to check: Ask for stored fault codes and repair orders for any stalls or hesitation, and check for park brake or transmission warnings that appear with power loss. A test drive from a stop and at highway speed can show hesitation or sudden power loss.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While on the highway in slow traffic, electronic park brake failure first warning flashed and engine suddenly lost power all lights then gradually appearing with a transmission warning next etc etc. Luckily I was near an exit where I waited on a tow. I then while waiting noticed that my trans selector can move out of park with the key in my hand. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10715322, filed 2015-05, 64,700 miles

   “2006 Land Rover model LR3 -leased. Vehicle has delayed acceleration from a stop or slow speed- vehicle hesitates. Vehicle is used on roadways in florida. I brought the vehicle to the dealer three times and the problem persists. Delayed acceleration poses grave safety risks to occupants when attempting to accelerate for turn, start,etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10167511, filed 2006-09, 233 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or vehicle movement

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 14,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2015

   Owners describe the vehicle accelerating when the driver expected it to stop or slow, including rapid acceleration while the brake was pressed, and one says the engine raced instead. Some describe incidents at stop signs, intersections, or while backing, with vehicles reaching a wall, a building, or a bush. One owner describes a vehicle that shifted out of park on its own and drove over a person's legs, and a police report was filed. One owner says the dealer could not find a fault, and that a replacement vehicle reportedly had the same problem. Listed mileage runs from 15 miles to about 57,600 miles, and some describe the problem on brand-new vehicles.

   Recall 05V502000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 05V502000 for the automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate was completed. During a test drive, check that the vehicle stays in park when selected, and that it does not creep or surge from a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2006 range rover / LR3 - 15 miles on vehicle. Experienced rapid acceleration instead of braking three times the first time we drove the car after taking it home. Could not stop the car while pushing hard on the brake with both feet. Engine raced instead. It did slow down at first then lunged forward through a stop sign, then a stop light, onto a highway etc. Luckily no crashes. Auto dealer could not find anything wrong, neither could Land Rover. Ordered another new vehicle, same make and model and the same thing happened! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10154482, filed 2006-04, 15 miles

   “The contact owns a 2006 Land Rover LR3. While slowly backing up the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated very fast into a twelve inch cement wall. There were no injuries. The contact had to turn off the vehicle to stop it from accelerating further. She will take the vehicle to the dealer in a few days because she lives on an island. There was approximately $1,400 worth of damage. The failure mileage was 14,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10244660, filed 2008-10, 14,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Sunroof glass breakage and drain-tube water leaks

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 106,475 mi at 10.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2022

   Owners describe sunroof glass that shattered or exploded, including once while parked when a door was opened and once while driving at about 65 mph, and one owner reports injuries. Other complaints describe water collecting in the sunroof area because drain tubes became blocked or eroded, with water leaking onto the radio, console, floorboards, and electrical modules. One owner says the dealer inspected the sunroof but did not repair it, and another says replacing a sensor damaged by water cost over $800. Listed mileage runs from about 78,000 to about 110,000 miles, and one shattering happened when a door was opened while the vehicle was stationary.

   What to check: Look for water stains or damp carpet near the radio, console or floorboards, which the complaints tie to the sunroof drains. Ask whether the sunroof drain tubes have been cleaned and inspected, and check the glass for cracks or chips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Fault with sunroof drain tubes. Tubes become either blocked or eroded, and water leaking into the driver and passenger floorboard. Under the driver's side floor are many electrical wires. As a result of water accumulating under floor, electrical functions of car might fail such as navigation failure, voice command, keyless entry. Car also failed to move from parked position as a result of the water destroying sensors. Cost over $800.00 to replace the sensor.”

   NHTSA complaint #10882501, filed 2016-07, 110,000 miles

   “Landrover lr 3 have a known problem of having water collect in the sunroof area due to blockage in some drainage tube from debris. Cleaning of these tubes is not a regular part of maintenance if you take your vehicle to the dealership for scheduled maintenance or service. The water collect and leaks into the cabin directly over the radio and middle console. It also leaks over the dashboard near the passenger heat register and in the driver's side dashboard area over the heat register. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10563323, filed 2014-02, 78,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering a 2006 LR3 may want tire, alignment and suspension service records, and confirmation that recall 05V502000 and the air suspension bulletins were completed. A pre-purchase inspection that checks inside-edge tire wear, the suspension fault light, the park function and the sunroof drains can help address the issues described above.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 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.