Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Land Rover LR2 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Land Rover LR2. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making either a right or left turn, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000. The contact stated the rear differential had to be replaced in the amount of $3400.
I have a 2008 Land Rover LR2 in mint condition and regularly maintained by a Land Rover dealer and purchased new from a LR dealer in Pittsburgh. It only has 39K miles and always parked indoors. Last year I noticed a humming, grinding sound coming from the rear wheels.I took it twice to the Fort Myers Florida LR dealer for service but they could not find the problem other than that the differential needed flushing (unusual for 39K miles). Finally took it to LR dealer two weeks ago in Naples, Florida and it was determined that the rear differential needed replacement. It was explained to me by the Asst. Service Mgr. that it was not safe to drive as the wheels could seize and cause an accident. No warning lamps indicated the problem. Land Rover refused to pay for replacement ($10K quoted cost) citing 4 year warranty period was over despite way below 50K mile warranty. …
I own a 2008 LR2 and just received confirmation from the local dealer service department that the rear differential has failed and is the source of the widely reported low pitched rear hum. This noise from the rear of the vehicle started around 66,000 miles (current mileage 74,600). I was not aware at the time of the rear differential issue with these cars, and given that the set of tires on the car were due to be changed I attributed the noise to the tire tread wear. I opted to run the existing tires through the winter and stretch the mileage as much as possible. The noise continued to get worse, but again, attributed that to the tire tread. I subsequently started some research into other causes over the past couple weeks and found many, many reports of differential failures on these cars. I replaced the tires hoping that was the root cause. …
I purchased the car in March of 2017 with 101,000 miles on it. It now has 119,000. As of 24 jun 2019, the rear end began making a noise while turning. I took it to a local import repair shop. My mechanic informed me that the differential is currently being held together with zip-ties. Zip. Ties. As I have never had work done on the rear end of the car, that means that the zip-ties were put on before I purchased the vehicle. I have no idea when but the real question is this: how long is a differential supposed to last? The differential is currently locked into all-wheel drive all the time. The differential alone will cost $4900. The fluids will cost $40. I am not sure about the number of hours of labor but it won't be over a day. So let's say a day of labor would be 8 hrs at a rate of $120/hour. 4900+40+960 = 5900. Right now, my vehicle is only worth 2,200. …
I own a Land Rover LR2 2008, and it started making a humming noise from the back end starting around 50,000 miles. The noise has progressively gotten louder. After changing tires, differential fluids, and bringing it to a mechanic (independent), the problem was diagnosed as a faulty differential system. Online research confirms this problem as common among this make model and year. Land Rover north America has not issued any recalls for the faulty differential system and is not correlated to any fault of the owner/driver. The humming noise is loudest when accelerating or cruising. The sound softens when de-accelerating or when turning to the "right". Continued use of a faulty rear differential will result in the gears locking up and possibly leading to an accident. Faulty differentials are not the result of driving patterns nor maintenance neglect. …
Like 1000s of other owners, my LR2 needs rear differential replaced. Why NHTSA has not reviewed this is unbelievable. The Volvo's built with same design have problems with rear differential failing as well. The cost of this repair $2400-3000.. Has the NHTSA even looked into this? This is an expensive repair and I'm reading blogs where many people are attempting to do the repairs themselves n giving each other 'trial n error' tips. Others are posting asking what's the worst that can happen if they don't do the repairs. Well, the transmission can lock up causing an accident. So what will it take for a recall to be at least considered? This seems to be very similar to Toyota prius recall several years ago. And it took how many deaths before a recall was issued?? Or Ford pinto case sad thing here is... NHTSA should be listening to the consumers! …
With 20,000 miles and 4 years and not under warrante took the car to the dealer and reported a loud noise, after 2 days at the shop they told me in miami that the car was fine, I requested the service man to drive with me and showed him the rear noise was not normal, he agree then he quoted me over $3,000 to repair the rear transmission, after twitting to Land Rover and filling a complaint they cal the dealer and agree to do the repair, then the dealer only replace a gear for $300.00 instead of the work they have quoted; somebody should get an attorney and request a class action to replace the rear transmission.
"Takata recall" when moving at low or regular speed and turning, there is a rumbling stumping sound coming from the rear. I took it to the shop and it was diagnosed that the rear differential was the issue. On researching the Land-Rover forum, I found that my issue was not peculiar to me alone but it was a major issue with other 2008 LR2 owners and costly to change too. However Land-Rover issued a technical service bulletin ltb00342 (issue 3) in aug 2011) about this. Why not a recall for the faulty rear differential or free replacement of the
Rear differential failure , a slight moaning noise from the rear end progressed into grinding, rendering the car unsafe to drive. This issue is not uncommon and many Land Rover LR2 owners have experienced this from 45K-60 miles. I went to local place to see how much it will cost,they want 3.276,00. Its too much money and I drive kids all the time,and I am afraid soon I will have big problems or accident. Please help me to fix this problem,Land Rover should fix this without charge. Thank you so much!! View details
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!
Transmission complaints in other LR2 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Land Rover LR2?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Land Rover LR2, 42% of the model year's 85 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Land Rover LR2 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 Land Rover LR2, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Land Rover LR2 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.