Used Range Rover Sport 2013-2022 reliability
Category: Luxury SUV
The Range Rover Sport is plush and refined, and luxurious inside. Used prices look good, too. A mixed reliability record has improved in recent years.
What should I look for in a used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
The Range Rover Sport is a large car that will have been used in tight urban areas and supermarket car parks, so look at the bodywork for any obvious signs of damage and the wheels and bumpers for scuffs. It’ll also quite possibly have been used off road, so check the undersides of the car for stone chips and any major signs of contact.
Make sure the seats move and operate as they should, including the pop-up ones in the boot, and do the same for the tailgate. Have a look at the leather for cracking, and at the back seats and the boot for impenetrable stains where the family pooch might have sat.
With four-cylinder models, make sure the car has a full service history, with maintenance carried out at the scheduled intervals. This is because Land Rover's four-cylinder engines are known to have issues with the timing chain if the engine is not properly maintained. If the timing chain is faulty, you'll hear a rattling or knocking noise from the engine, especially on start-up when the engine is cold. If not rectified, the chain may break and cause damage to the engine, resulting in a hefty repair bill.
What are the most common problems with a used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4?
Range Rover Sport problems span a wide range of areas, centring on the suspension, engine, engine electrics, air conditioning, sat-nav, car electrics, gearbox, drivetrain and bodywork. Leaks from the engine, sunroof and around the tailgate are also known issues.
All faults are well documented, with some specific ones being fixed easily and some requiring the car to be off the road for weeks.
Recalls
Recalls are as follows. Check with your local dealer that all work has been carried out.
Reason for recall
The second-row seat backrest on vehicles with the manual recline second-row seat system may not latch robustly in position. It is possible the seat belt may not correctly restrain the occupant in the event of a collision.
How the manufacturer will repair: On affected vehicles inspect the second-row seat mechanism and if necessary fit the correct specification components.
Number of affected vehicles: 152
Reason for recall
The ground wiring for the air conditioning blower within the cockpit harness may not be to specification. This can lead to the wire getting hot and melting the plastic insulation and associated burning smell. If ignored and the loom gets significantly damaged there is a possibility of fire.
How the manufacturer will repair: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the earth wire. Where other wiring/insulation is affected necessary repairs will be carried out using the correct repair procedures.
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, the road wheel nuts may not have been manufactured to the correct specification. These wheel nuts may crack when subject to shock loads and detach from the stud. This may lead to insecurity and possible detachment of a road wheel.
How the manufacturer will repair: Recall affected vehicles and replace wheel nuts. Locking wheel nuts are not affected.
Number of affected vehicles: 926
Reason for recall
Vehicles failed to routinely achieve the required levels of CO2 emissions.
How the manufacturer will repair: Update the vehicle software to the latest version.
Number of affected vehicles: 4779
Reason for recall
The door could be unlatched when in the closed position and no indication provided of an unlatched condition. Vehicle doors not latched in either the primary of secondary state may during driving open. This can increase the risk of a vehicle crash and/or compromise the safety of vehicle occupants and other road users.
How the manufacturer will repair: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and download the latest level of software. A limited number of vehicles may also require a Remote Function Actuator module to be fitted.
Number of affected vehicles: 35,250
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, the servo vacuum hose may have been incorrectly routed and can chafe against the auxiliary drive pulley. This can lead to failure of the hose and a loss of brake servo assistance.
How the manufacturer will repair: On affected vehicles check brake servo hose. If in good condition correctly reroute and secure the hose. If the hose is damaged replace the hose and correctly route and secure.
Number of affected vehicles: 1575
Reason for recall
The brazing of the fuel rail end caps is inconsistent and may not correctly seal the fuel rail ends. Fuel vapour and liquid fuel leaks can occur over time. This can lead to a liquid fuel leak into the engine bay.
How the manufacturer will repair: On affected vehicles replace the fuel rail with a correctly manufactured version.
Number of affected vehicles: 1537
Reason for recall
On certain 2018 and 2019 Model Year Land Rover Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEV vehicles where the indicated fuel level on the fuel gauge shows approximately 30% the fuel tank is empty resulting in an engine stall. The vehicle will enter into reduced performance mode and if the customer continues to drive the vehicle will continue to run for circa 8 miles/13Km. The vehicle engine will then cut out without warning. If the traction battery charge status is at least 10% or greater the electric motor will take up drive until such time as traction battery power is depleted. Where the traction battery charge status is below 10% drive from the electric motor is not possible and the vehicle will cut out whilst in motion. All 12 volt powered electrical functions such as power-assisted steering exterior lighting and brake assistance will continue to operate as designed. Engine cut out with minimal warning to the driver may lead to an increased risk of an accident.
How the manufacturer will repair: Fit a new revised fuel level sensor float to the vehicle.
Number of affected vehicles: 1000
Reason for recall
The crankshaft pulley retaining bolt may fracture due to a production specification error.
How the manufacturer will repair: Replace the crankshaft pulley centre retaining bolt with one that has been manufactured to the correct specification.
Number of affected vehicles: 219
Reason for recall
The directional indicators may fail to operate.
How the manufacturer will repair: Update the vehicle with the latest software on affected vehicles.
Number of affected vehicles: 2331
Reason for recall
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) feature will not be available.
How the manufacturer will repair: On affected vehicles download the latest software to the vehicle.
Number of affected vehicles: 24
Reason for recall
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) crossover pipe may have been manufactured away from specification.
How the manufacturer will repair: Check and repair the vehicle with a part manufactured to the correct specification.
Number of affected vehicles: 144
Reason for recall
The routing of the electrical harness within the steering column assembly has insufficient clearance.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect the steering column electrical harness apply further protective material and repair damaged wiring where required.
Number of affected vehicles: 38
Is a used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4x4 reliable?
Despite it scoring badly in previous years, the 2013-2022 Range Rover Sport finished in third place out of eight cars in the luxury car section of our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, with a good overall score of 92.6%. That places it above the Mercedes GLE and Porsche Cayenne, but below the BMW X5 and 2016-2022 Lexus RX.
The Range Rover Sport is proving more robust than the larger Range Rover of the same era, with a fault rate of 22%. The most common areas of concern were the brakes and engine, though some owners also reported issues with the bodywork, engine electrics and exhaust.
Land Rover covered the cost of most repairs, but 10% of faults set owners back between £751 and £1000 each. All faulty cars could still be driven, though, and most were fixed in a day or less.
As a car brand, Land Rover scored poorly in our car manufacturer reliability rankings, finishing in 27th place out of 31 contenders with a score of 87.1%. That places it above Alfa Romeo, but below BMW, Lexus and Volvo.
Used Range Rover Sport reliability: the owners' view
In our most recent Reliability Survey, Range Rover Sport owners said they had a mixed experience with dependability and dealer support. A significant number of owners reported issues, with faults affecting suspension, infotainment and electrical systems. Warning lights and unexpected noises were mentioned frequently, with some drivers experiencing repeated trips to the dealership.
Several owners highlighted long repair times and delays in sourcing parts, which often left vehicles off the road for extended periods. Costs for repairs varied, with some describing them as unexpectedly high. While a few respondents praised their local dealers for being helpful and communicative, others found the service inconsistent or dismissive of known issues.
Overall, the Range Rover Sport earned praise for its appeal, but too many owners found reliability disappointing, with dealership experiences often failing to offset the inconvenience of recurring faults.
