There’s nothing quite like the feeling of driving a Range Rover. The smooth leather seats, cutting-edge tech, and powerful engine make it one of the most luxurious SUVs on the road. It might surprise you that not all Range Rovers live up to the luxury name, and Land Rover doesn’t exactly announce this from the mountaintops.
A certain number of vehicles from any manufacturer will have problems that require several trips to the repair center. Some owners spend more time at the dealership than on the road, handling one issue after another. Sadly, many of these consumers believe they have to accept these endless repairs, but that’s simply not true.
The Lemon Law provides a way to hold automakers responsible when they sell defective vehicles. Of course, Land Rover and other manufacturers won’t make this process easy, but knowing your rights can be the difference maker. Read on to learn more about the rights you have and how they can protect you from a defective vehicle.
First, Why Do Range Rovers Have So Many Problems?
Before looking into how the lemon law works, let’s see why certain problems continue to plague Range Rovers. Despite the fact that these vehicles are advertised as the peak of luxury SUVs, they also rank among the lowest in terms of reliability in the market. Why is that? Below are some of the reasons commonly attributed to this problem.
Complex Technology Means More Can Go Wrong
Land Rover prides itself in packing its vehicles with advanced technologies, such as touchscreen infotainment screens, self-adjusting air suspensions, etc. However, this only complicates things, because the more complex a car is, the more things can fail. This is why Range Rovers are notorious for tech-related breakdowns.
Expensive Parts and Poor Availability
Even if the automaker admits to a fault, fixing it can be a nightmare. Replacement parts are costly and often take weeks or months to arrive, leaving owners stranded with a broken SUV. As if that’s not bad enough, some parts have to be special ordered, which means a longer waiting period.
Poor Long-term Reliability
Owning a luxury car is often equivalent to higher maintenance requirements. Shockingly, despite a robust maintenance schedule, reports show that Range Rovers rank low in reliability studies. In fact, many owners tend to experience major mechanical failures within the first few years.
Do These Problems Qualify them as Lemons?
Now that you know why Range Rovers are as problematic as they are, let’s see if these issues qualify them as lemons. But wait, what even is a Range Rover lemon?
A “lemon” is a vehicle with significant manufacturing defects affecting its safety, functionality, or value. These issues must persist despite multiple repair attempts by the dealership or automaker. Examples of some qualifying defects include:
Electrical System Troubles
Many Range Rover owners complain about mysterious electrical issues. Examples are random freezing of screens and infotainment systems, malfunctioning power windows and seats, and failure of keyless entry and ignition. Sometimes, dashboard warning lights may also appear and disappear without explanation.
Transmission and Drivetrain Failures
Land Rover promotes its Terrain Response System as the ultimate in off-road capability, but what good is that if the transmission itself is unreliable? Some owners report jerky or delayed shifting, strange drivetrain noises, or complete transmission failure after just a few thousand miles.
Such problems can make driving a hassle, and repeated failures like this may qualify your car, truck, or SUV as a lemon.
Air Suspension Problems
One of the biggest selling points of the Range Rover is its smooth, air-cushioned ride. You should know that the luxurious air suspension you’re riding on is a ticking time bomb, as owners often experience:
- Sudden drops in suspension height
- Air leaks leading to a sagging or uneven stance
- Expensive repairs, sometimes costing thousands of dollars
Engine and Cooling System Defects
Imagine paying six figures for a so-called luxury SUV only to experience engine overheating or complete engine failure. Some Range Rover engines have suffered from oil leaks, turbocharger malfunctions, and random shutdowns. All of these point to an unreliable engine, which could be a serious safety hazard.
How the Land Rover Lemon Law Protects You in California
The Lemon Law exists to protect consumers from defective vehicles that multiple repairs can’t fix. This is how it works:
- If your Range Rover has a serious defect the dealership can’t fix, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement.
- The defect must substantially impact the vehicle’s use, safety, or value.
- The car must still be under warranty when the issue arises.
Having confirmed that this applies to your case, look out for the following before declaring your car a lemon:
- The same defect has been repaired at least 3-4 times without success.
- The vehicle has been in the repair shop for 30+ days for the same issue.
If this sounds like your situation, you might have a case against Land Rover.
Finding Your Path to Freedom
So now you’ve determined that you have a lemon, but you don’t know what to do? Follow these steps to protect your rights and build a strong case under the Range Rover Lemon Law:
Document Every Repair Attempt
Every time you take your vehicle to the dealership, request a written service report. This report must include the date of service, a detailed description of the problem, and the repair attempts made by the dealership. These documents will be critical evidence in your Lemon Law claim.
Contact Customer Support
Before escalating the situation to a legal battle, reach out to Land Rover’s corporate office via a written complaint. Make sure you indicate your interest in a settlement after proving that you’ve done everything within your power to get the issue fixed. Sometimes, manufacturers offer buybacks or replacements to avoid costly legal battles.
Consult a Lemon Lawyer
Many lemon law lawyers offer free consultations, and they typically only get paid if you win. Having legal representation makes it much harder for Land Rover to push you around. Your lawyer will assess your case, determine the best way to tackle it and handle negotiations until a settlement you’re happy with is reached.
File a Complaint and Don’t Accept Excuses
If Land Rover refuses to comply, you can escalate your case by filing a complaint in court. Your lawyer will present your case before a judge and jury, arguing for favorable compensation on your behalf.
Whatever you do, don’t let the dealership convince you that the problems are normal, or too minor to warrant compensation. A $100,000+ luxury SUV should not be plagued by repeated failures, and no explanation from anyone can excuse that.
Other Secrets Land Rover Doesn’t Want You to Know
First, the manufacturer doesn’t want you to realize you have legal rights. They hope you’ll keep bringing your SUV in for repairs instead of demanding a buyback or replacement. They also don’t want you to find out they’ve been sued multiple times in class-action and Lemon Lawsuits.
Lastly, even when they accept that you have a solid case, they don’t want you to know that you might be entitled to more than they initially offer. If you have a strong case, you could receive extra compensation for rental car expenses and repair costs, as well as loss of time, wages, and inconvenience.
Fight for Your Rights and Hold Range Rover Accountable
If your Range Rover has turned into an unreliable money pit, you don’t have to keep suffering. The Land Rover Lemon Law protects consumers like you from being stuck with a defective vehicle. While the manufacturer has a good reputation, you shouldn’t allow them to hide behind it. Take action today by contacting a reputable lemon law firm like Quill & Arrow LLP and squeeze your lemon into a fresh glass of justice.
Media Contact:
Carlo V. DeFalco
Carlo@ecustomsolutions.com
eCustom Solutions