2006 Land Rover Range Rover Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe steering column lock and key recognition problems, differential noise or failure, and electrical warning or power problems. Other frequent topics are a front brake hose recall with disputed repairs and reimbursement, and dashboard cracks near the passenger airbag. Where mileage is recorded, most complaints involve vehicles with more than about 50,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering column lock and key recognition faults

   • 10 complaints (19%)
   • median 127,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2023

   Owners describe the steering wheel or column locking or becoming stuck, and the ignition or steering column not recognizing the key. Some owners say the ignition must be reset after each shutoff, and that a dealer called the problem very common for these model years. Dealers reportedly said the only fix is replacing the entire steering column, which some owners say is very costly. Recorded mileage is between about 89,000 and 200,000 miles, and complaints were filed between 2011 and 2023, with some noting the problem returns after the ignition is switched off.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the steering column has been checked under a service bulletin for lock or tilt faults, and ask for records of any column replacement. On a test drive, shut the engine off, restart, and confirm the key turns and the steering wheel moves freely.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I backed my Range Rover up over the side curb it locked my steering. I can only turn my wheel when the truck is driving it has no power while in just sitting at a light. Makes it difficult to park my truck because I can't turn the wheel without gas to the truck. I took it to auto zone to see if it was power steering but no noise the fluids are in there.”

   NHTSA complaint #11279495, filed 2019-11, 200,000 miles

   “I was told by the Land Rover service manager shon torres that the steering columns on vehicles of this manufacturing year and the years surrounding it have often had issues where the steering column will stop recognizing the key. He went on to say that many times no keys can be reprogrammed to the steering column and at that point you would have to purchase a new dyeing column which costs around $10,000. This has happens once so far and I had to purchase 2 new keys and have them programmed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11048797, filed 2017-11, 155,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Differential noise, lock-up and failure

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 91,836 mi at 8.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2016

   Owners describe whining, grinding, or thumping from the rear or front differential, often growing louder with speed. Some complaints describe a failed front differential that locked the front wheels, leading to a sudden stop. Dealers reportedly diagnosed a failed differential and replaced it or quoted a replacement cost, and a complaint says the owner was told the problem is common for this model. Recorded mileage is between about 35,000 and 119,000 miles, and complaints were filed between 2013 and 2015.

   What to check: Listen for whining, grinding, or thumping on a test drive at varied speeds and during slow turns. Ask whether the differential has been replaced and whether the work was documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on gwb, I suddenly felt like the underneath of the car had gotten stuck on something & then the car came to a sudden stop, leading to the car behind me hitting my bumper. My mechanic told me it was my front differential & was not covered in my vehicle's year recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10519720, filed 2013-06, 91,836 miles

   “The front wheels locked up and caused the car to veer dangerously and screech to a halt. This was due to a failed front differential which, upon more online research is a common issue with this model. It was replaced by the dealer at a cost of $3,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10546429, filed 2013-10, 80,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Warning lights, ignition power loss and battery drain

   • 11 complaints (21%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2023

   Owners describe all warning indicators lighting at start-up, with the vehicle not running continuously while they stay on. Other complaints describe a battery that drains overnight, random tire pressure and system codes, and an ignition-related power loss, where an independent mechanic found the alternator needed replacement. Another complaint describes a heated windshield with an internal failure and side mirrors that did not move, and an owner says the vehicle had been taken back by the manufacturer for electrical issues before being resold. Recorded mileage is about 83,000 to 160,000 miles, and complaints were filed mostly in 2017 and 2018.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for the vehicle history, including any return to the manufacturer for electrical problems, and have a scan tool check for stored codes before buying. Ask whether the alternator, battery, and ignition switch were checked, and whether the battery drains with the engine off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This vehicle was taken back by the manufacturer for electrical issues it was then resold. I just purchased it and it has serious electrical issues. I have owned it a month and it had codes within 48 hours of purchase. System failure codes. The battery is good and is drained every night and every time I go to work. This vechicle is essentially usuless and I just purchased it. It flashes random tire pressure system failure codes when it wants. Just random. It is one thing after another. Luckily nothing super safety related yet. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11041888, filed 2017-11, 96,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2006 Land Rover Range Rover. When the vehicle was started, all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle would not continuously run without all of the indicators illuminating in error. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer for repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 160,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11054206, filed 2017-12, 160,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Front brake hose recall and fluid leaks

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 140,285 mi at 8.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2016

   Owners describe brake fluid leaking from a front brake line or hose, with the brake pedal traveling to the floor and longer stopping distances. Some complaints concern recall 15V039000 for flexible front brake hoses, including an owner who had the lines replaced before the recall and says the dealer refused to reimburse the work. Another owner who has not had a failure says the recall repair part was unavailable for a long time. Dealers reportedly said recall repairs must be done by authorized dealers using Land Rover parts. Recorded mileage is about 140,000 and 290,500 miles, and complaints were filed between 2015 and 2016.

   Recall 15V039000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 15V039000 has been completed on the vehicle, and whether the front brake hoses were checked by an authorized dealer. Check the brake fluid level and look for wet spots on the front brake hoses and lines.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a recall on my front brake lines. The recall number is 15v-039. I had my brake lines replaced prior to the recall being issued. The recall states that the manufacturer will replace the brake lines for free or reimburse me if I had the lines done prior to the recall. I presented a receipt for the repair and the dealer in little rock is refusing to reimburse me. They stated that the repair must be performed by an authorized Land Rover dealer using Land Rover parts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10749715, filed 2015-08, 290,508 miles

   “The contact owns a 2006 Land Rover Range Rover. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floor. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the front air brake hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v039000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,285.”

   NHTSA complaint #10713726, filed 2015-04, 140,285 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Dashboard cracks near the passenger airbag

   Mentioned in 4 of 47 sampled complaints

   Owners describe cracks in the dashboard around the passenger airbag area, some running across the full width of the dash or toward the airbag compartment. Owners worry the crack could affect airbag deployment, and some independent upholstery shops reportedly declined to repair it citing safety and liability concerns. The manufacturer reportedly described the crack as wear and tear that would not affect safety, and a complaint says the same problem is common on 2006 to 2009 models. Recorded mileage is about 80,000 to 120,500 miles, and complaints were filed between 2014 and 2018.

   What to check: Inspect the passenger dashboard for cracks around the airbag cover and document any cracks in writing before buying. Ask whether the dealer can confirm in writing that the crack has no effect on the airbag system.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Passenger side dashboard has cracking around the airbag system. I took it to three independent upholstery shops and they all decline to perform any repair due to safety/liability concerns. They say it is fairly common for my year/make/model vehicle. I'm fearful that this presents some issues with airbag deployment, or may simply be a design flaw by landrover.”

   NHTSA complaint #10643326, filed 2014-10, 89,000 miles

   “The passenger side airbag on the dashboard is starting to prematurely split on top of the dashboard surface around the entire outline of the airbag. The crack has progressed in a precious outline of the cutout of the airbag. After contacting Land Rover of america on multiple occasions, they considers this as a wear and tear and they state this will not effect the safety of the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10750402, filed 2015-08, 80,000 miles

Buying note. For this model year, ask whether the steering column and differential have been checked, and whether recall 15V039000 has been completed. On a test drive, confirm the key works after shutting off, and listen for whining or grinding from the differential.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 47 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.