Land Rover Range Rover L405
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
566 PS
Range Rover · Benzin
Range Rover 5.0 SC 566 hp: top of the range
Legendary!506–575 PS
5.0L V8 Supercharged Benzin
5 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Land Rover Range Rover L405 is available with 12 engine variants — from 200 to 575 hp.
3.0-litre successor to the 276DT with the same structural crankshaft bearing weaknesses. Timing chains and injectors add further problem areas. Engine replacement costs of £5,000–£10,000 are a real possibility. Very short oil change intervals (max. 8,000 km) are mandatory. Only buy with complete documentation.
- !! Crankshaft bearing failure from design weakness from 180,000 km
The 306DT inherits the narrow crankshaft design of the 276DT. Bearing shells spin in operation and block oil galleries. Service bulletin SSM71816 covers 3.0L versions as well. Engine replacement costs £6,000–12,000.
Symptoms: Rhythmic knocking from the lower engine block (worse under load), oil pressure loss, metal particles in the oil filter - !! Timing chain and tensioner wear from 100,000 km
From around 80,000 km the 306DT chain tensioners and guides can wear. Rattling on cold start is the typical early warning. Left unattended, chain jump and engine damage follow.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start (disappears once warm), check engine light, P0008/P0016/P0017 - !! Injector over-fuelling with piston damage from 140,000 km
Certain 306DT injectors can over-fuel, causing extreme heat buildup in the cylinder and piston melting. Metal particles from the resulting damage destroy other engine components.
Symptoms: Individual cylinder power loss, rough engine noise, fault codes on individual injectors, metallic sounds
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
4.4-litre V8 diesel with a known cast crankshaft weakness — forged crankshaft upgrade recommended. Plastic timing chain tensioners and coolant pipes are critical weak points. Repairs can cost £4,000–£20,000. Only acceptable with a very well-maintained service history and oil changes at max. 8,000 km.
- !! Crankshaft fracture from casting weakness from 180,000 km
The production cast-iron crankshaft of the 448DT is known for premature cracking. Tuners and specialists recommend upgrading to a forged crankshaft. Repair costs are extreme.
Symptoms: Dull knocking from the engine block, oil pressure warning light, metallic noises, sudden engine seizure - !! Plastic timing chain tensioner failure from 120,000 km
The plastic timing chain tensioner of the 448DT is the single most critical weak point. Metallic rattling on cold start lasting more than 5 seconds warns of impending engine destruction. Typically affected from 100,000–160,000 km.
Symptoms: Loud metallic rattling on cold start (>5 seconds), check engine light P0008/P0016/P0017, power loss - !! Plastic coolant pipe under intake manifold from 100,000 km
The plastic coolant crossover pipe running under the intake manifold cracks from embrittlement. Sudden coolant loss threatens — the engine can be overheated before the temperature warning appears. Pre-emptive replacement with aluminium pipes is recommended.
Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss, overheating warning, steam, in worst case hydrolock
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
3.0-litre successor to the 276DT with the same structural crankshaft bearing weaknesses. Timing chains and injectors add further problem areas. Engine replacement costs of £5,000–£10,000 are a real possibility. Very short oil change intervals (max. 8,000 km) are mandatory. Only buy with complete documentation.
- !! Crankshaft bearing failure from design weakness from 180,000 km
The 306DT inherits the narrow crankshaft design of the 276DT. Bearing shells spin in operation and block oil galleries. Service bulletin SSM71816 covers 3.0L versions as well. Engine replacement costs £6,000–12,000.
Symptoms: Rhythmic knocking from the lower engine block (worse under load), oil pressure loss, metal particles in the oil filter - !! Timing chain and tensioner wear from 100,000 km
From around 80,000 km the 306DT chain tensioners and guides can wear. Rattling on cold start is the typical early warning. Left unattended, chain jump and engine damage follow.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start (disappears once warm), check engine light, P0008/P0016/P0017 - !! Injector over-fuelling with piston damage from 140,000 km
Certain 306DT injectors can over-fuel, causing extreme heat buildup in the cylinder and piston melting. Metal particles from the resulting damage destroy other engine components.
Symptoms: Individual cylinder power loss, rough engine noise, fault codes on individual injectors, metallic sounds
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six diesel with 48V mild-hybrid is more refined than the 2.0L diesel. Main issues: oil filter housing recall N908 (fire risk, 2021–2025), EGR coking and DPF on short trips. The 48V DC-DC converter is the designed-in weak link of the MHEV system.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six diesel with 48V mild-hybrid is more refined than the 2.0L diesel. Main issues: oil filter housing recall N908 (fire risk, 2021–2025), EGR coking and DPF on short trips. The 48V DC-DC converter is the designed-in weak link of the MHEV system.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six diesel with 48V mild-hybrid is more refined than the 2.0L diesel. Main issues: oil filter housing recall N908 (fire risk, 2021–2025), EGR coking and DPF on short trips. The 48V DC-DC converter is the designed-in weak link of the MHEV system.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
3.0-litre V6 Supercharged as the smaller blower option. The coolant crossover pipe beneath the supercharger is system-critical — if it fails, engine damage is often unavoidable. Preventive replacement with aluminium pipes is strongly recommended. Check supercharger coupling and timing chain regularly. Water pump replacement requires supercharger removal (expensive).
- !! Plastic coolant pipe under supercharger bursts from 100,000 km
The plastic coolant crossover pipe running under the supercharger cracks suddenly from embrittlement. The engine is often irreparably overheated before the temperature warning appears. Very common cause of engine damage. Upgrade to aluminium pipes strongly recommended.
Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss (often instantaneous), overheating warning, steam, potential engine damage - !! Timing chain and guides wear from 110,000 km
Like the V8 versions, the AJ126 has timing chains with plastic guides. From around 100,000 km guides and tensioners can deteriorate. The supercharger setup increases engine load and accelerates wear.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, P0008/P0016, engine light - !! Supercharger torsional coupler wears out from 90,000 km
The Eaton Roots supercharger torsional coupler breaks apart. The rattling sounds like gravel in the supercharger at idle and disappears under load. Land Rover TSB available. Typical failure around 90,000–110,000 km.
Symptoms: Rattling from supercharger at idle, decreasing supercharger output, power drop
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Solid 5.0-litre V8 (naturally aspirated, no supercharger). Timing chain and guides are the known weak point from around 130,000 km. Short oil change intervals (max. 8,000 km) significantly reduce the risk. Replace plastic coolant pipes preventively with aluminium items. Character: refined V8 with decent power delivery.
- !! Timing chain guides and tensioners fail from 130,000 km
The AJ133 5.0L V8 (naturally aspirated) is known for premature wear of the plastic timing chain guides and hydraulic tensioners. The fault typically appears from 120,000–150,000 km. Extended oil change intervals are a frequent contributing factor.
Symptoms: Rattling/knocking on cold start, P0008/P0016/P0017, engine light, power loss - !! Plastic coolant pipes become brittle from 110,000 km
Like the supercharged V8, the naturally aspirated V8 has numerous plastic coolant pipes and fittings that become brittle and crack. Pre-emptive replacement with metal pipes (Euro AMP kit) is strongly recommended.
Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss, overheating warning, steam from the engine bay - !! Ignition coil failure and spark plug wear from 100,000 km
Ignition coils on the 5.0 V8 tend to fail, often in combination with oil-fouled spark plugs (caused by valve stem seals). Rough running and misfire codes on multiple cylinders simultaneously are typical.
Symptoms: Rough running, P030X misfire codes, engine light, oil-fouled spark plugs
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
5.0-litre V8 Supercharged with excellent performance but well-known weaknesses. Timing chain set replacement is a matter of when, not if. Supercharger coupling and coolant pipes are further cost items. Running costs are substantial — only justifiable with a complete service history and low mileage.
- !! Timing chain guide plastic failure from 110,000 km
The most critical issue on the 508PS: plastic timing chain guides and hydraulic tensioners fail from around 100,000 km — faster on the supercharged engine due to higher load. Full repair costs €6,000–10,000.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start (>5s), P0008/P0016/P0017, engine light, power loss - !! Plastic coolant pipe under supercharger bursts from 100,000 km
Several plastic coolant pipes (crossover pipes, thermostat housing) behind and under the supercharger become brittle from thermal cycling. Sudden failure often causes engine damage before the driver can react.
Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss, overheating warning, steam, limp mode - !! Supercharger torsional coupler wears out from 90,000 km
The Eaton supercharger torsional coupler — a plastic and metal spring assembly — breaks apart over time. Land Rover issued a TSB. The rattling sounds like gravel inside the supercharger and disappears under higher load.
Symptoms: Rattling from the supercharger at idle (sounds like stones in a blower), decreasing supercharger output
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six petrol with 48V MHEV is the most reliable modern JLR engine. Note oil filter housing recall N908. Turbocharger and cooling system benefit from regular oil changes and adequate cool-down time after spirited driving.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 3.0L petrol oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil onto hot components. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Timing chain — rattle and wear from 120,000 km
The PT306 inline-six shows timing chain wear with rattling on cold start. Although more robust than the 2.0L four-cylinder, wear and tensioner issues are documented at higher mileages.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, rough idle, engine warning light with camshaft correlation errors - !! Turbocharger bearing and seal wear from 120,000 km
PT306 turbochargers develop bearing wear and oil blow-by particularly with insufficient oil change intervals. Allow cool-down time after spirited driving.
Symptoms: Whistling or howling noise, smoke from exhaust, power loss, elevated oil consumption
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six petrol with 48V MHEV is the most reliable modern JLR engine. Note oil filter housing recall N908. Turbocharger and cooling system benefit from regular oil changes and adequate cool-down time after spirited driving.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 3.0L petrol oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil onto hot components. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Timing chain — rattle and wear from 120,000 km
The PT306 inline-six shows timing chain wear with rattling on cold start. Although more robust than the 2.0L four-cylinder, wear and tensioner issues are documented at higher mileages.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, rough idle, engine warning light with camshaft correlation errors - !! Turbocharger bearing and seal wear from 120,000 km
PT306 turbochargers develop bearing wear and oil blow-by particularly with insufficient oil change intervals. Allow cool-down time after spirited driving.
Symptoms: Whistling or howling noise, smoke from exhaust, power loss, elevated oil consumption
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L I6 turbocharged petrol combined with an electric motor as a plug-in hybrid. Combustion engine weaknesses same as the PT306, plus PHEV-specific issues: EV mode refusal, battery degradation, and oil dilution when running predominantly on electric power.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the I6 3.0L PHEV oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray oil onto hot components. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Oil leak, oil puddles, oil warning light, smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger wear from 120,000 km
Same base engine as PT306: turbocharger wear from insufficient lubrication. In PHEV mode the combustion engine often starts cold, which damages the turbo without pre-lubrication.
Symptoms: Whistling noise under acceleration, power loss in hybrid mode, smoke - !! PHEV: EV mode unavailable
Frequent malfunction: the system refuses EV operation with the message "EV temporarily unavailable". Cause is often a faulty HV coolant heater or defective battery control modules.
Symptoms: EV temporarily unavailable message, system switches to hybrid mode unintentionally
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Air suspension drops: compressor and air springs Air springs tear and the compressor overloads. Typical case: vehicle drops after parking, compressor and both air springs plus valve block replaced (approx. 2,200 euros). Occurs regularly despite the aluminium body. Symptoms: Vehicle sits low on one side after parking, compressor runs long on start-up, air suspension warning light from 100,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 47 weaknesses have been documented for the Land Rover Range Rover L405 (2012–2021) — 40 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 6 problem engines: DT306 (3.0L Ingenium I6 Diesel), 306DT (3.0L V6 Diesel), 448DT (4.4L V8 SDV8 Diesel), AJ126 (3.0L V6 Supercharged), PT306 (3.0L Ingenium I6 Benzin Turbo), 508PS (5.0L V8 Supercharged). Typical issues affect Suspension, Body, Brakes, Electronics.
Range Rover (306DT, 2012–2017) — Stay Away!: Crankshaft bearing failure from design weakness, Timing chain and tensioner wear, Injector over-fuelling with piston damage. Power: 256–258 PS.
Range Rover (448DT, 2012–2020) — Stay Away!: Crankshaft fracture from casting weakness, Plastic timing chain tensioner failure, Plastic coolant pipe under intake manifold. Power: 340 PS.
Range Rover (306DT, 2018–2020) — Stay Away!: Crankshaft bearing failure from design weakness, Timing chain and tensioner wear, Injector over-fuelling with piston damage. Power: 275 PS.
Range Rover (306DT, 2018–2020) — Stay Away!: Crankshaft bearing failure from design weakness, Timing chain and tensioner wear, Injector over-fuelling with piston damage. Power: 249 PS.
Range Rover (508PN, 2009–2013) — Be Careful: Timing chain guides and tensioners fail, Plastic coolant pipes become brittle, Ignition coil failure and spark plug wear. Power: 375 PS.
Range Rover (508PS, 2012–2017) — Stay Away!: Timing chain guide plastic failure, Plastic coolant pipe under supercharger bursts, Supercharger torsional coupler wears out. Power: 506–510 PS.
Range Rover (AJ126, 2014–2018) — Stay Away!: Plastic coolant pipe under supercharger bursts, Timing chain and guides wear, Supercharger torsional coupler wears out. Power: 340 PS.
Range Rover (508PS, 2017–2021) — Stay Away!: Timing chain guide plastic failure, Plastic coolant pipe under supercharger bursts, Supercharger torsional coupler wears out. Power: 564 PS.
Range Rover (508PS, 2017–2021) — Stay Away!: Timing chain guide plastic failure, Plastic coolant pipe under supercharger bursts, Supercharger torsional coupler wears out. Power: 525 PS.
Range Rover (PT306, 2019–2021) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Timing chain — rattle and wear, Turbocharger bearing and seal wear. Power: 400 PS.
Range Rover (PT306-PHEV, 2019–2021) — Be Careful: Recall N908: oil filter housing — fire risk, Turbocharger wear, PHEV: EV mode unavailable. Power: 300 PS.
Range Rover (DT306, 2020–2021) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 351 PS.
Range Rover (DT306, 2020–2021) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 300–306 PS.
Range Rover (DT306, 2020–2021) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 249–258 PS.
What to watch out for with the Land Rover Range Rover? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Land Rover Range Rover L405 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Land Rover Range Rover L405? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Land Rover Range Rover L405 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Land Rover Range Rover L405 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Land Rover Range Rover L405? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee