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 2005 Land Rover Range Rover owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving down city street at 30 MPH, a loud humming sound comes from front of vehicle. Immediately brought truck to mechanic and mechanic then stated after inspection that he has seen this problem on Range rovers before and that it should be covered under safety recall. NHTSA campaign id number: 08V635000.
2005 Range Rover has a leak in the front differential. Although the front differential should last for the life of the vehicle, the mechanic indicated that this would lead to premature mechanical failure of the unit and potential life safety issue if it fails while driving.
My differential is leaking & I think it has cause my transmission to false.. I believe this has happen while in motion on the street in newyork ... I purchased the Range Rover from Land Rover of virginia in 2008.
I am the owner of a 2005 Range Rover. I purchased the vehicle used in 2006 with 60,000 mile's on it. In June 2007, the front differential broke while in the middle of two busy intersections. Traffic was halted until some men pushed my car to the side of the road. There was no warning leading up to this breakdown. In fact, the car was just at the dealership for the 75,000 mile checkup. Not to mention Range Rover charged me $3,000.00 for this repair.. The most recent front differential breakdown was more serious since it occurred on the expressway in the middle of nowhere. While traveling to birmingham al. From atlanta ga. At a speed of 70 miles per/hr the car made a sudden grinding noise and stop accelerating. Once I realized wgat was going on I started getting to the side of the road. …
While driving somewhere in between 15-25 miles an hour, with no warning whatsoever, my 2005 Land Rover Range Rover locked up immediately and made a horrible grinding sound. The car froze up and would not proceed forward and I am assuming because I was accelerating and brought to an abrupt stop, the car then started to shake. I put the car in park and went back into drive, only for the car to immediately make that loud horrible grinding sound again. The car was not drivable in the drive position, or reverse. I had to put it into neutral and push it home. I just would like to note that the safety of myself and passenger could have been put in jeopardy because I did just exit the freeway before this happened. I also would like to state that this problem should be recalled, as I have already found many websites complaining of this issue. …
Last Sunday, I was traveling in the 2005 Range roveron an interstate 100 miles from my home. The transission suddenly failed & I had to be towed to the dealer near my home. On Monday I sopke to the dealership that told me the problem without even looking at the car there was a defect in the original design of the limited slip differential, and they were ordering the part and renting me a car. On further discussion the service department told me that they have a reworked replacedment, and it should not happen again. They also told me that they were getting at least one car a week with the same problem. If this is something that they know about, why are they only fixing it after the fact. There could be serious injury to other drivers who suddenly have this power loss. I was lucky.
Oct. 5, 2007 at 8 am- my family and I were riding on I-94w, 100 miles from home, at approx. 65mph, and there was a grinding noise. Then suddenly the vehicle lost power. Luckily we made it partially to the side of the road. Vehicle was immediately towed by state tow, because location of vehicle was unsafe, to the nearest dealer 20 min away. Because I was at 56K miles dealer required me to pay for rental. Two days later on Monday, diagnosis was front differential failure. Then after differential was fixed dealer said the transfer case was bad. Latest, as of today, 26 days later, I am still waiting for transfer case to be fixed, which will not be in until nov. 8th. Still renting a Mini van, paying $30/day for rental, and paying my Range Rover note.
I thought you might be interested to know that my 2005 rr (30000 kms - build date 01/05) td6 is currently having the differentail and prop shaft replaced. The car has been making a grinding noise when moving forward at a slow pace gradually getting worse over the past few weeks. This noise will only occur when the vehicle is in gear (d) and only when traveling very slowly, the noise disappears when neutral is selected even while the vehicle is still rolling. The front prop shaft seal (transmission end) has also failed and leaking oil. Three months ago the air compressor was replaced as the original failed.
Around 12 am on 2/21/08 I was driving down interstate 29 south near platte city mo at speeds around 70-75 miles per hour. As I was passing another car my 2005 Range Rover started making a loud grinding sound and started slow down. I got to the side of the road and it would although I pressed on the gas the truck would not move. The dealer told me the front differential and drive train broke and they are looking for parts since this is a national backorder. It has not yet been repaired and the old parts will be put on it when available.
While traveling 50 MPH on feeder of I-10, heard a loud noise with instant wheel locking, gained control and pulled over as I had no power. Cpu said to select neutral which I did. Attempted to put in drive and heard a loud screeching noise although the car would not move. Called tow truck and had it towed to dealership who diagnosed problem as differential and drive shaft. Service advisor said we have had multiple with this problem. Got online and discovered problem has happened multiple times. Car is a 2004 Range Rover hse.
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Land Rover is recalling 19,168 my 2003-2005 range Rover vehicles. The front differential coupling sleeve and the propeller shaft May be misaligned, resulting in spline wear over a period of time. As the wear between the propeller shaft and the differential spline coupling progresses, noise and vibration are expected.
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised design of the propeller shaft, the flange kit and heat shield kit. The recall began on January 6, 2009. Owners May contact Land Rover at 1-800- 637-6837.
NHTSA investigations
Front diff. / propeller shaft failure
Summary:in a letter dated December 2, 2008, Ford motor company (Ford) notified NHTSA that Land Rover is conducting a safety recall of model year (my) 2003 through 2005 range Rover vehicles built at the solihull (uk) assembly plant from January 3, 2002 through February 22, 2005, to replace the front driveshaft joint (NHTSA recall no. 08v-635, Land Rover recall no. P041).
Transmission complaints in other Range Rover years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Land Rover Range Rover?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Land Rover Range Rover, 60% of the model year's 35 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Land Rover Range Rover transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-635 (driveshaft, Dec 3, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Land Rover Range Rover transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.