It is my sincerest hope that any/every prospective Range Rover owner will pay close attention to this prior to purchasing a new vehicle. Throughout my ownership of this vehicle, I've not only experienced being stranded in desolate, dangerous places due to serious breakdowns, I have also struggled with the manufacturer, Land Rover (Astor Martin, Jaguar, and Land Rover) of North America to do anything about it. It is more than obvious that the approximate $75,000 sticker price for these vehicles is a true RIP OFF and only benefits the manufacturers' pockets.
I own a 2000 Range Rover 4.6 HSE. When this vehcile had only 6,500 miles, the Air Suspension malfunctioned. At 7,941 miles, it malfuntioned again.
Now, four years later, after the 50,000 mile warranty has expired, the ongoing air suspension problems still exists after many attempts to repair it.
Now, I realize that we as consumers should expect things to go wrong from time to time, but when a vehicle has a sticker price of about $75,000.00, one doesn't expect to have to replace the air suspension, front drive shaft (twice), head gaskets, air springs and shocks, etc.By the 7,000 mile mark, and furthermore, one most certainly doesn't expect to have to replace the electrical system at 51,000 miles (as soon as warranty ends), or buy a new engine at 52,000 miles, or have the transmission replaced twice during it's four year existence. This vehicle was serviced at a LR dealer at approximately 51,000 miles (when electrical system had to be replaced).
While traveling on vacation less than one month later, we noticed the temp. Gauge rising so we pulled over immediately BEFORE the vehicle had time to overheat. We turned off the engine and felt confident that no major damage would occur to an engine that was as strong as Land Rover represents the Range Rover to be.interestingly, however, we learned from the Land Rover dealer that our engine "melted" and that we needed to pay $11000 for a new one. Now, if this vehicle is so tough, why did our engine melt just because our radiator hose burst at 51,000 miles; and why did it melt when we did not continue driving the car after observing the temp. Rising??? We had to correspond with Land Rover (manufacturer) Customer Relations Dept. Tooth and nail for about one month to get any sort of resolution, and it wasn't until we verbally proposed legal action that they agreed to assist us with the cost (hardly anything).
We also requested to have our parts returned to us and we were told that we could not have them because Land Rover (manufacturer) wanted to inspect them. This is something we are now planning to pursue legally since we have recently been informed by the Attorney General that this was illegal on their behalf. And it gets even worse.
Just one week ago, while I was driving, my air suspension malfunctioned once again, almost causing the vehicle to roll over. I am lucky to be alive. This vehicle also began leaking transmission fluid, and once again, Land Rover attempted to get us for another $4500.00 because of a broken flexplate. I contacted the Land Rover Customer Relations Dept. And asked for recall information on the transmission for this vehicle and was told that I would receive a return call with the information in a few hours.
That call never came, even after I contacted them three times with this request. Several other mechanics who inspected the car suggested that we contact the Land Rover corporate office, simply because this vehicle is very unsafe and has been since the first day of it's existence. So I took their advice.
I contacted Astor Martin, Jagaur, and Land Rover and asked how I could correspond with the appropriate individua regarding the safety and excessive repair costs for this Range Rover. I also asked how I could speak with or correspond with the new President of Land Rover, Michael O'driscoll. I was told that I would once again have to speak with the Customer Relations Dept., which is geared towards protecting the company instead of the actual customer, and I was also directed to the Lisaon Officer AFTER I became adamant about speaking with someone.
AT this time, I was directed to Jose Bracero, the supposed Liason Officer for Land Rover, who was unempathetic, curt, defensive and unhelpful. It was apparent that this individual had an answer for everything and would not assume any responsibility for the dangers of this vehicle. He kept referring to the 50,000 mile warranty of this vehicle and failed to recognize that the problems with this vehicle are other Range Rovers are NOT normal.
Mr. Bracero also informed me in an abruptand brazen tone that there was/is no way for me or any other Range Rover owner to contact Mr. Odriscoll, the President of Land Rover. I once read an article about Mr. O'Driscoll that mostly emphasizing and boasting his educational background and his financial ability to make lost of money for Land Rover. It is sad that a man with his background can't simplify the basics of business and realize that a summary such as this could be detrimental to his company in numerous ways. If this company is going to represent the Range Rover as a quality strong vehicle, or if their desire is to attract respectable consumers who can pay $75,000 for a vehicle, then perhaps Land Rover should deliver just that rather than scamming people and caring only about profits in the company.
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