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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2005 Land Rover LR3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints for the 2005 Land Rover LR3. Most complaints involve suspension (20) and electrical system (19). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jun 2008
Owner complaints
96
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: column

Free remedy

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 AIR BAG WIRE FRACTURES, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT INDICATES TO THE DRIVER THAT THERE IS A CONCERN WITH THE SRS SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT IMMEDIATE REPAIR IS NECESSARY.

SteeringReported Jun 4, 2008NHTSA 08V248000

Equipment

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Jul 3, 2007NHTSA 07E047000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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 ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE DETACHED JOINT, FUEL MAY THEN ENTER THE BREATHER PIPE AND EXCESS FUEL MAY BE DISCHARGED ONTO THE GROUND.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 17, 2007NHTSA 07V011000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

96 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2005 – Sep 2025
  1. Suspension20
  2. Electrical system19
  3. Tires17
  4. Power train16
  5. Fuel system, gasoline15
  6. Structure10
  7. Air bags7
  8. Visibility6
  9. Steering5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each LR3 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200596
200651
200717
20088
20093
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

20 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2018SuspensionODI 11142364

Electrical system

19 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11689315

Tires

17 reports
“TIRES ARE WEARING ON THE INSIDE QUICKLY. CHANGED THE TIRES ALREADY AT 32,000 MILES AND ALMOST NEED TO CHANGE THEM AGAIN AT 47,000. WAS TOLD THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS BUILT WRONG ON THE TRUCK. LANDROVER NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEMS AND GET NEWS TIRES. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2009Suspension, TiresODI 10281018
All 2005 LR3 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl · 4.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LR3
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131814$4,300635
LR3
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,300635
  • LR3
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,300/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • LR3
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Land Rover LR3 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1395
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 LR3 questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Land Rover LR3 have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Land Rover LR3 problems?

Owners filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (20), electrical system (19), tires (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Land Rover LR3 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Land Rover LR3 at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026