2005 Land Rover LR3 recalls and complaints

Problem: 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.

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 condition may result in the deployment of only one stage of the dual stage driver's air bag or the air bag may not deploy at all increasing the risk of serious injuries to the driver.

Remedy: 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 fitted to the top of the steering column switch gear to provide assured clearance between the cowl and the clockspring face. The recall began on july 30, 2008. Owners may contact land rover at 1-800-637-6837.

Problem: 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.

Remedy: 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 purchased some of these bike racks for use on their lr3 and range rover sport vehicles, part no. Lrnapbr4. L. L. Bean also sells some of these bike racks under the model name of hitching post pro (wd75, wd76, wd77, wd78, yl05, bbg9, bbh1, bbh2, bbh4), expressway (wd72, wd73, bbh5, bbh6), or trailblazer (wd31, bbh7). Rei has also purchased some of these bike racks under model names: hitching post pro (934, 934xt, 935, 935xt, 936, 936xt, 937, 937xt, 951, 951xt), expressway (995, 995xt, 996, 996xt), and trailblazer (998, 998xt).

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tanks. The recall began on march 12, 2007. Owners may contact land rover at 1-800-637-6837.

Problem: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: The driver may notice fuel odor, drivability concerns such as hesitation, misfire, stalling, rough running, or difficulty in starting and the 'check engine' light may be illuminated. If the amount of fuel flowing into the breather pipe reaches the vapor canister and exceeds its capacity, the excess fuel may be discharged onto the ground. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tanks. The recall began on october 24, 2005. Owners may contact land rover at 1-800-637-6837.