2005 Land rover Lr3
The Verdict
The 2005 Land rover Lr3 has 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (38 complaints) and engine (24 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 74/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Land rover Lr3, consider the 2009 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2009 has 96% fewer complaints
View the 2009 Land rover Lr3 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 5
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL TANKS THAT CONTAIN AN INTERNAL BREATHER PIPE THAT WAS NOT MADE TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SWELLING AND CRACKING OF A GROMMET AND SUB...
Risk
THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE FUEL ODOR, DRIVABILITY CONCERNS SUCH AS HESITATION, MISFIRE, STALLING, ROUGH RUNNING, OR DIFFICULTY IN STARTING AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT MAY BE ILLUMINATED. IF THE AMOUNT...
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED OFF, AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, IT IS POSSIB...
Risk
THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE DRIVELINE CONTROL TRANSFER BOX ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) WITH REVISED SOFTWARE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-201-818-8500.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL TANKS THAT CONTAIN AN INTERNAL BREATHER PIPE THAT WAS NOT MADE TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SWELLING AND CRACKING OF A GROMMET AND SUB...
Risk
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
LAND ROVER IS RECALLING 37,142 MY 2005-2006 LR3 AND RANGE ROVER SPORT VEHICLES. RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL HUB AND/OR THE STEERING COLUMN COWL WITH THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH INCLUDES ...
Risk
IF THE SRS WARNING LIGHT IS IGNORED AND A VEHICLE CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY TO COMMAND DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG OCCURS, THE AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE INTENDED MANNER. THE CO...
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSERT 1MM SPACERS BETWEEN THE LOWER LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE COLUMN SWITCH MOUNTING POINT AND THE COLUMN LOCK TO IMPROVE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE COLUMN SWITCH. TWO FOAM PADS WILL ALSO BE F...
Reported Apr 6, 2008
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET THULE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACKS WITH FOLD DOWN STYLE BIKE ARMS. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
Risk
WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH POINT HAS TO POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.
Remedy
THULE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391). NOTES: LAND ROVER P...
Reported Mar 7, 2007
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
After a heavy rainstorm in [XXX] , my 2005 Land Rover LR3 experienced catastrophic water intrusion through the A-pillar design flaw documented in Land Rover’s own TSB LA501-007. When I opened the passenger door, ~1.5 inches of water poured out. Immediately afterward, the vehicle developed multiple failures: flickering lights, radio inoperative, driver’s window stuck, ABS warning lights illuminated, “Transmission Fault” error displayed, and the air suspension automatically lowered into its fail-safe mode. This is not wear and tear. Land Rover has acknowledged the defect internally (A-pillar locator holes allowing water ingress into the footwell), but never issued a recall or owner notification. Flooding the footwell shorts the electrical/fuse boxes, causing cascading failures in braking, suspension, powertrain, and electrical systems. This presents a serious safety hazard as the vehicle may lose proper braking, suspension height, or drivetrain function simply from exposure to rain. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Others of same model and year were recalled and mine was not, despite having same issue with airbag fault in steering column
SINCE PURCHASING MY SECOND HAND 2005 LAND ROVER LR3 IN 2013, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. I EXPERIENCE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS SUCH AS HESITATION, MISFIRE, STALLING, ROUGH RUNNING, AND DIFFICULTY IN STARTING, AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT IS ALMOST ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THESE ISSUES, AND HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY CHASING THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING EQUIPMENT AND SPENDING A LOT OF TIME IN DOING SO. THE IDENTIFICATION OF THIS ISSUE BEING A RECALL ISSUE FOR 17263 OTHER LAND ROVERS LR3 (NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 05V376000) NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL I WAS RESEARCHING THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE IN ORDER TO SELL IT. WHILE ON THE KELLY BLUE BOOK WEBSITE, I WAS ALERTED THERE WERE 2 RECALLS FOR 2005 LAND ROVER LR3. AFTER READING THE FIRST RECALL DESCRIPTION, I REALIZED THAT I HAVE HAD THE IDENTICAL ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AFTER INPUTTING MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, THE SITE STATED THAT MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. I FOUND THIS TO BE VERY DISCONCERTING, AS I HAVE THE IDENTICAL ISSUE. I THEN CALLED LAND ROVER TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I STATED THAT SAFETY RECALLS WERE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH WARRANTIES. I WAS THEN ASKED FOR, AND PROVIDED MY VIN. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND I HAD NO RECOURSE. I ASKED HIM, GIVEN THAT OVER 17,000 2005 LAND ROVER LR3 HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, WHAT WERE THE ODDS OF MINE HAVING THE SAME PIECE OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT. HE AGAIN STATED THAT SINCE MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED, IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL, AND I HAVE NO RECOURSE. HE THEN DISMISSED ME AND HUNG UP. MY WIFE HAD THE STALL ISSUE OCCUR THIS MORNING ON HER DRIVE TO WORK AT 06:30 AM!
THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION IS TOTALLY DEAD. THERE WAS A RECALL YEARS AGO BUT I DIDNT GET IT DONE. NOW WHEN I SEARCH RECALLS ITS NOT THERE, BECAUSE SOMEONE THINKS THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. THAT IS SIMPLY FALSE. I CAN BARELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE THE LEFT SIDE DROPPED DUE TO AIR SUSPENSION. THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME THE SUSPENSION WAS BUILT IMPROPERLY.
SHOULDER BRACKET MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ALL YEARS, PROBABLY LR4 AS WELL AS EOROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL MODELS DISCOVERY 3 AND 4, RANGE ROVER SPORT CASTING SPLITS AND CRACKS AT MULTIPLE POINTS AROUND BOLT HOLE OVER TIME. 4 OF 4 UNITS I INSPECTED WITH SIMILARR FAILURE. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, FRAYED SEATBELT, ORDERED USED REPLACEMENT, THEY WERE AS BAD AS THE ONE ON THE VEHICLE, ALL WERE CRACKED. NO ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE. FACTORY ORIGINAL AND ONE ADDITIONAL UNIT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED UP, ALMOST GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT, HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM TAKING OFF, IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, ENGINE CONTINUED RACING WHILE IN NUETRAL.
VEHICLE AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP STATIONARY WITH ENGINE RUNNING IN DRIVE, IE, STOP LIGHT, STOP SIGN, AND PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL THE VEHCLE FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL TO ELICIT RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY EVERYTHING SEEMS TO 'KICK' IN RESULTING IN A VIOLENT JOLT AS VEHICLE SUDDENLY REVS UP AND BEGINS TO MOVE. DELAY BETWEEN FORWARD MOVEMET AND APPLIED GAS PEDAL IS SEVERAL SECONDS AND HAPPENS OFTEN. VEHICHLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO VISIBLE ISSUES AND NO ERROR CODES BELIEVE TO BE PRESENT. WHEN READING ON THE ONLINE LAND ROVER FORUMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS RESULTED IN WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE SEVERAL THOUSAND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS BEFORE 85,000 MILES AND IS NOT SAFE. CONTINUES TO TAKE PLACE SINCE VEHICLE PURCAHSE. I HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT MY OWN COST AND DEFECT CONTINUES TO TAKE PLACE!
THIS DESCRIPTION WAS BLANK.
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELT SHOULDER ANCHORS HAVE NUMEROUS CRACKS IN THEM. I DISCOVERED THIS WHILE REMOVING INTERNAL BODY PANELS TO DIAGNOSE RAIN WATER LEAKS/INGRESS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LAND ROVER LR3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY AFTER 10 TO 15 MILES OF DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V376000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON DASH. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID AIRBAG AND CLOCK SPRING ARE BAD BECAUSE THE WIRING INSIDE THE AIRBAG AND CLOCK SPRING ARE BAD AND I NEED TO PAY TO REPLACE OTHERWISE MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF NEEDED. I ASKED THEM ABOUT RECALL 08V248000 (LAND ROVER IS RECALLING OVER 37,000 LR3 AND RANGE ROVER SPORT VEHICLES. THE RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL HUB AND/OR STEERING COLUMN COWL WITH THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH CONTAINS AIR BAG CIRCUITRY, COULD CAUSE A FRACTURE IN THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTION.) AND THEY SAID NOPE NOT COVERED. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN EVALUATING MY AIRBAG.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LAND ROVER LR3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY, AND THE ROTOR WAS BRIGHT RED. THE CONTACT MERGED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL RELATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
FRONT DIFFERENTIAL ROARING AND FEELS LIKE MAJOR DRAG ANYTIME YOU ARE NOT APPLYING GAS PETAL. HAD FRONT DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE DONE AND FLUID WAS FULL OF DEBRIS.THIS TRUCKS SUFFERED FROM A FAULTY COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING FROM THE FACTORY BUT LANDROVER NEVER ISSUED A RECALL AND EXPECTS SOMEONE TO SPEND 4000 TO REPLACE THE PART. THEY DO NOT SELL ANY TYPE OF REBUILD KIT OR PARTS. I HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY LR3 AND IT DECREASED THE FUEL ECONOMY NOT TO MENTION THE ROARING NOISE. THE NOISE IS CONTINUOUS WHEN DRIVING. LANDROVER FORUMS SHOW PAGE AFTER PAGE OF DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEMS BUT LANDROVER WILL DO NOTHING.
THE DASH ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS DEVELOPED A STRIGHT LINE CRACK AROUND THE AIRBAG. THIS IS NOT SUN DAMAGE AND THE REST OF THE DASH IS PERFECT. I AM BEGINNING TO WORRY THAT THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY.
PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG. VEHICLE IS NOT KEPT IN THE SUN. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS NO WEAR OR CRACKS ONLY THE AIRBAG AREA.
THE DASH HAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS EVEN WHERE THE AIR BAGS ARE FEEL VERY UNSAFE WITH THE BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY. AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT
FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINING RESULTING IN NEEDING TO REPLACE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LANDROVER LR3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL WAS LOWER THAN A QUARTER OF A TANK, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V011000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 05V376000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER DID NOT NOTIFY THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V248000 (STEERING), WHICH WAS NOT COMPLETED BEFORE THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,060.
THE DASH COVERING HAS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD EFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF SAID AIR BAG
THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH WHERE THE AIRBAG IS INSTALLED HAS A SUDDEN STRAIGHT LINE CRACK IN THE DASH AT THE BOTTOM OF WHERE THE AIRBAG IS INSTALLED IN THE DASH AND A STRAIGHT LINE CRACK ON THE LEFT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE DASH. THESE ARE PERFECTLY STRAIGHT LINES AND NOT SOMETHING THE SUN DID. THE VEHICLE IS KEPT IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN LEFT IN THE SUN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THESE CRACKS WERE SUDDEN - NOT THERE ONE DAY AND THERE THE NEXT DAY. *TR
96 total