Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Land Rover LR3, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 10 | 10% |
| Power train | 9 | 9% |
| Suspension | 7 | 7% |
| Air bags | 6 | 6% |
| Suspension | 6 | 6% |
| Tires | 6 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 inc
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Others of same model and year were recalled and mine was not, despite having same issue with airbag fault in steering column
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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, A
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 DR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 NUET
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 APPL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Land Rover LR3. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUITRY, COULD RESULT IN FRACTURING OF THE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTION. IF AN
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 CONDI
Fix: 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 FITT
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 SUBSEQUENT DETACHMENT OF THE BREATHER PIPE FROM A CONNECTOR TUBE. WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK IS ABOV
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
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.
Fix: 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 PURC
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 POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN PARK.
Risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 66 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 10 of them (10%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.