Transfer Case problems of the 2003 Land Rover Range Rover

The contact owns a 2003 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 mph, there was an abnormal grinding sound from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle also was making a jerking motion and the transfer case warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure in NHTSA campaign number: 08v635000 (power train) and the drive shaft and spline needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

I purchased this 2003 Range Rover with 19,000 miles February 2007. It currently has 36,008 miles and the transfer case differential and drive shaft needed to be replaced. The car had a catastrophic failure stopped at a traffic light, and was in gear at the time. They had to replace the drive shaft and differential. Time in service is not the issue with the low miles on this vehicle. The only wear and tear that could occur would be through usage. The warranty is 50,000 miles or 4 years. This vehicle is not even close to the mileage limitation.

Sudden failure of the transfer case causing instant loss of power. This is a known design flaw with 2003, 2004 and 2005 Range Rovers. This can be a very dangerous flaw when pulling out into traffic or crossing and intersection. I don't believe they have re-engineered a permanent fix for this issue they are just putting the old faulty design back on when one fails. This is a very dangerous problem that someone has to make them redesign a permanent fix for.

I recently purchased a 2003 Range Rover. After driving the vehicle from the dealers lot to my home, I decided to take my fiance for a drive. I drove down a fairly busy highway which is less than one mile from my home. As I proceeded down the highway, I attempted to accelerate and the vehicle made a loud grinding noise and became immobile. Luckily, traffic was not extremely heavy and other drivers allowed me to drift into the median. Once in the median, I placed the vehicle in park and attempted to place it in gear so that I could drive again but it continued to make this grinding noise and would not move at all. The police showed up and called a tow truck so that I could get off of the busy highway. I called the car dealership and they were concerned that I had just purchased the vehicle and this problem occurred. The vehicle was towed to a local european mechanic shop and the mechanic indicated that the transfer case would need to be replaced. I was shocked as to why this happened, since the vehicle appeared to be in excellent condition and the dealer is a reputable business. The quote for this work is $5000 and I was asked by the dealer if I could come up with a portion cost for the repairs. Since the incident, I have researched this vehicle and this appears to be a common incident among other Range Rover owners of models 2002 through 2006. In my findings, this appears to be a design flaw and mechanical issue, not to mention a major safety concern. I would like this complaint to be filed with similar complaints in hopes that a vehicle recall or inspection is prompted.