Land Rover experienced a frustrating recall failure with its 2013-2016 models of the Land Rover Range Rover and 2014-2016 models of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The failure, however, continued for some owners of these vehicles. CarComplaints.com explains how the Range Rover recall problem began and where we’re at today with it. 

The original recall

The story began back in 2015 when Land Rover issued a recall for a door latch problem. Owners found that the doors they initially thought were closed and latched actually weren’t. Much to the drivers’ surprise, the door would open while the vehicle was in motion. 

Land Rover determined that the issue stemmed from a short circuit in the electronics of the keyless entry system. It appeared that a lever stopped before reaching its original position where it would normally latch and close the door. 

To remedy the situation, Land Rover recalled over 65,000 Range Rover SUVs. It fixed the problem by updating the software within the keyless entry system. 

Round two of Land Rover recalls

An investigation from the NHTSA began in 2017 when complaints poured in from owners indicating the recall fix didn’t actually work. Land Rover engineers evaluated the situation once again and reported the owners were right, the recall issue wasn’t fixed after all. 

So, in 2019, Land Rover again recalled the 2016 models affected by the original fix to properly repair the issue. This time it determined that the best course of action for those with failed door latch mechanisms was to disable the keyless entry systems altogether. The NHTSA investigation closed in late 2019.

But, in 2020, there’s another recall for 785 models of the 2016 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport SUVs. This time vehicles that had previously been repaired by door latch recall now need another software update to correct a spring issue within the door latch mechanism. 

Where does that leave the 2020 model of the Land Rover Range Rover?

Going into the 2020 model year, the Range Rover has a one-out-of-five reliability rating from Consumer Reports because of the vehicle’s history. While this ding on its record could hurt sales, it might not have as much of an impact as you would think. 

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover has several options for engines. For the entry-level models, you get a V6 turbocharged engine with an electric motor for a mild-hybrid setup. 

When you opt for one of the pricier models, you get a high-performance V8 engine or a diesel V6. Pair them with the eight-speed automatic transmission and you get a powerful but smooth ride. 

More standard features to enjoy include leather seats, a heated leather steering wheel, and a nice wood veneer trim adorning the interior. There’s also 32 cubic feet of cargo space with plenty of room for the front seat passengers. 

The pricier the trim level is, the more luxury features you get. Some of those include massaging seats, more leather trim, and a wood-lined cargo area instead of the normal carpeting. The top-of-the-line models get you armrest controls, metal cup holders, and even a bottle cooler. 

The biggest downside to these Range Rovers is that they’re not exactly cheap. They can range in price from $92,195 all the way up to $180,000 for the SV Autobiography Trim level. 

Land Rover hopefully left its door latch problem behind. Three recalls for the same issue is a huge problem, especially when some owners of other model years have complained of the same door latching issue. Once Land Rover gets the recall problem sorted out, maybe it can finally get back to the business of building excellent off-roading vehicles.