Most common 2002 Land Rover Range Rover problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Land Rover Range Rover complaints by model year
Best Range Rover years: 2022, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2023, 2016, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2002 Land Rover Range Rover:
Front differential/driveshaft failure
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), Ford stated that the primary cause for the majority of the reported front differential/drive shaft failures is a misalignment of the joint between the two components.certain levels of misalignment May over time cause an uneven wear of the splines.continued wear of the splines May result in a shearing of the splines…
What 2002 Land Rover Range Rover owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
On the evening of 24th jan 2007 I was leaving the motorway to join another major road, when I lost all drive to my 2002 Range Rover. There was no indication or noise leading up to the loss of drive, and then there was a loud grinding noise and the computer instructed me to engage neutral. I engaged neutral and coasted luckily enough for 100 yards to a pull in off the road, and awaited my aa recovery to recover the vehicle. Unknowingly my car had missed the last service by 6,000 miles, and the manufacturers warranty has expired. However I have taken the matter up direct with landrover and explained that the main dealer has allays serviced the vehicle, and usually gave a telephone call/letter to advise the vehicle would need a service but had not done so on this occasion. …
Driving on the freeway going about 55 MPH the car started shaking I almost hit a car and could have drove off the side of the freeway as I lost control of the vehicle I was so scared there was no warning. I'm still having chest pains from this incident this morning. I had to pay over 100.00 just to have it towed back home. Not sure how I'm going to pay for it and don't know what to do now.
Suspension
While driving at 60 MPH on the maryland 495 beltway (highway) my vehicle (steering wheel, body of vehicle, myself, etc.) just started shaking violently and extremely hard to control. I was horrified and at the same time I had to look out for other vehicles on all sides while I slowed down to 45 MPH. Now, down the road and with very light traffic near, I started increasing my speed to 55-60 to see what was wrong and around 60 MPH the violent shaking started. I reduced the speed to 45 MPH. While trying to diagnose, I started to increase my speed and at 55 MPH I hit a bump in the road and it started shaking violently again. I've taken my vehicle to the rr dealer several times for service and explained the problem at those speeds and was told, I just needed an alignment. Needless to say that was not solution. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated that the door locks jam and the vehicle doors are unable to be opened. There were no warning indicators and the failure occurred intermittently. The dealer diagnosed the cause of failure as the driver's door cam kit. The dealer replaced the part, however, the failure continues to occur intermittently. The purchase date, engine size, and current mileage were unknown. The failure mileage was 100. The speakers were fuzzy, the battery would disconnect, the radio was replaced, the air suspension failed, the front and left air bags were leaking, the heater core o-rings were leaking, the radiator failed, valve cover gaskets were leaking, the drive belt had worn out, the water pump was leaking. Updated 07/15/07.
Engine & cooling
Tl contact owns a 2002 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated that the door locks jam and the vehicle doors are unable to be opened. There were no warning indicators and the failure occurred intermittently. The dealer diagnosed the cause of failure as the driver's door cam kit. The dealer replaced the part, however, the failure continues to occur intermittently. The purchase date, engine size, and current mileage were unknown. The failure mileage was 100. The speakers were fuzzy, the battery would disconnect, the radio was replaced, the air suspension failed, the front and left air bags were leaking, the heater core o-rings were leaking, the radiator failed, valve cover gaskets were leaking, the drive belt had worn out, the water pump was leaking. Updated 07/15/07.
Purchased vehicle 1-28-06. Broke down on 2-05-06, eight days later. Had the vehicle towed to the nearest Land Rover dealer where they identified many problems with the car including some that make the car unsafe. The electronic air suspension broke, the front and rear brakes are down to 10%, there is a severe leak in the rocker gasket, the belts are bad with a crack in the serpentine belt. The car failed while driving on the freeway by losing it's suspension. Had the car towed to the dealer, undrivable. Rented a car to get home, 122 miles away. Was told by the dealer I purchased it from that I would have to pay for the repairs that the extended warranty that I also purchased did not cover.
2002 Land Rover Range Rover engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 14 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Land Rover Range Rover a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Range Rover rates better than average: 40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Range Rover at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Land Rover Range Rover?
The transmission & drivetrain — 8 complaints, 57% of all complaints for this model year, most often about driveline › differential unit. Next are the suspension (4) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 2002 Land Rover Range Rover have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Land Rover Range Rover. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Land Rover Range Rover?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2023, 2016, 2003 and 2004. See the full Land Rover Range Rover years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Land Rover Range Rover problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.