Range Rover Sport (L320) – MY2005-2013

Land Rover Range Rover Sport (L320)
Land Rover Range Rover Sport (L320) – photo by M 93

Land Rover Range Rover Sport (L320)

In general, the L320 became more reliable with each successive year, as Ford slowly replaced more of BMW’s parts with their own and patched various issues. If you want to buy one, the best one to get is the most recent one you can find.

Engines

Click the links below to see common problems specific to the engines available on this vehicle.

  • Jaguar AJ34 (Supercharged MY05-08) – Note that Land Rover have their own variant of this engine that differs from the Jaguar AJ33S/AJ34S
  • Jaguar AJ41 (HSE MY05-08)
  • Jaguar AJ133 (HSE MY09+, Supercharged MY09+)

Problems

All Vehicles

Mechanical

  • The transmission lever may fail to engage Park when pushed into place. You should always engage the parking brake when parking just in case this happens.
  • TSB: Oil may leak from the steering supply and return hose O-ring seals. Leaks require cleaning, replacement of seals, top-up of fluid, then starting the engine and turning the steering from lock to lock three times.
  • “Chirping” noise from under the hood may be caused by the plastic idler pulley on the serpentine belt; Land Rover released an improved part that solves this
  • Parking brake shoes may squeal when applied or released – Land Rover released improved parking brake shoes that solves this
  • Knocking noise from steering column may indicate that that lower steering shaft should be replaced

Electrical

  • Air suspension:
    • Air springs can crack with age
    • Failed sensor can make it freeze in one position
    • Body Control Module can fail
    • Miscellaneous issues may be caused by water leaking onto an electrical connector at the left front fender
    • TSB: Stuck compressor exhaust value which causes an internal leak when compressor is active – symptoms include the error message “Suspension Fault – Normal Height Only,” illumination of the air suspension warning lamp, and diagnostic trouble codes C1A20-64 (pressure increases too slowly while filling reservoir) or C113192 (unable to pressurize gallery). Compressor must be replaced and air suspension module must be reprogrammed.
  • Locks:
    • Door handles can stop working, caused by an electric motor that jams the lock closed
    • Central locking mechanism can fail but is a cheap and easy fix
  • Parking sensors don’t work properly in wet weather and can fail
  • Seat heaters can fail due to bad connectors
  • If the transmission shifts harshly from 2nd to 1st gear, the transmission control module should be reprogrammed
  • A false low coolant warning may occur because the float in the coolant reservoir has absorbed coolant and sunk. Repair involves replacing the coolant reservoir.

Body & Cosmetic

  • Spare wheel cradle can be damaged by offroading
  • Rust can appear on trim that goes between the body and window glass
  • Upper tailgate rattling may be caused by a loose ball fitting for the support strut, or the reinforced welds for the ball fitting may break
  • Water leaks in cabin may be caused by improperly routed or pinched roof drain tubes

Certain Vehicles

  • Vehicles with the AJ41 engine: A clunking noise when throttle is released and applied may be caused by a bad powertrain control module – it should be reflashed
  • Vehicles with the AJ33/34 engine: TSB – Vehicles may experience reduced power and/or a misfire at high engine loads or road speeds, and the vehicle may throw fault codes P0096 and P2601. This may be because the electrical harness power supply and auxiliary coolant pump ground are cross-connected on connector C3006, causing the coolant pump to run backwards. To prevent engine damage, the ECM reduces engine power. Fixing this requires replacing the coolant pump and fixing the wiring on the connector.
  • Vehicles with sport suspension or the AJ33/34 engine: TSB – A squeaking or creaking noise may come from the suspension when braking at low speeds. This may be caused by dust in the mounting bushings of the dynamic response system actuator bar. The fix requires installing new Teflon-impregnated stabilizer bar bushings.
  • VINs between 5A900302 to DA768550: TSB – Vehicles are susceptible to failure of the air suspension compressor. This may cause the air suspension warning lamp to illuminate, the air suspension to not rise, and may also cause the computer to throw diagnostic trouble code (DTC) C1A20-64. The Hitachi and “old design” AMK compressors were replaced with a new AMK compressor (part # LR044360).
  • VINs from AA212147 onward: TSB – An audible boom may be heard or a vibration may be felt through the vehicle floor or front seat at 2400-2800 rpm during medium-to-heavy acceleration. This could be caused by “powertrain torsion mode,” where the transfer case twists on the rear of the transmission. The solution is to fit a vibration dampener to a vacant threaded hole in the transfer case.
  • MY06-09 VINs between 6A900129 to 7A999999 and 7A100001 to 9A215620: TSB -The Electronic Torque Managed (ETM) rear differential motor may become “energized” while the motor brake is still partially engaged. Symptoms include diagnostic trouble code P186D, illumination of transmission malfunction indicator lamp, DTCs P080A and P0806, the warning message “Transmission Fault Stop Safely,” and lowering of the dynamic suspension. Fixing requires replacing the rear differential motor, and downloading new software to the rear differential control module.
  • MY10-12 VINs between AA215623 and CA759577 with the supercharged AJ133 engine: A rattle or click noise from the front of the engine (this noise may be more pronounced at idle) may be caused by wear on the timing chain lever. The fix involves replacing the timing chain lever and tensioner.
  • MY10-13 VINs between AA212145 to DA814822: TSB – Vehicles are susceptible to leaking transmission oil cooler pipes. The pipes should be replaced, and a new aluminum plate fitted.