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Range Rovers offer comfort, luxury, prestige, and more. Yet, they're plagued by a poor reputation for reliability.

Range Rover is widely considered to be sitting at the top of the luxury SUV tree. There may be more expensive or faster SUV alternatives, but the Range Rover has powerful kudos compared to its rivals. The popular Lamborghini Urus doesn't have the class, whilst a BMW X5 isn't as capable off-road.

Where prestige is concerned, the Range Rover delivers in spades. Yet, for all of its class, pomp, and social standing, it is still plagued by a poor reputation for reliability. Those looking to venture off the beaten track and make a return journey are better off jumping into the rapidly appreciating Toyota Landcruiser.

Thanks to Land Rover's vision for the brand, for many, Range Rover ownership is an itch that needs scratching. The allure of the big comfortable SUV just weighs too heavy on them. Plus the very sight of one parked on their driveway will elevate their social standing. So, for those looking to dip a toe into the murky pond of prestige SUV ownership, just bear in mind that these are the 10 most common problems on Range Rovers.

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A Range Rover has clever air suspension. It provides an incredible ride quality far superior to conventional springs. This system also helps to increase or reduce the vehicle's height for easier access, and to tackle off-road obstacles. However, it also fails all too often, leaving the driver stranded.

Compressor pumps fail. The control units fail. The whole system has been known to leak. Without any air in its suspension, a Range Rover won't rise, or drive far. Besides this suspension bushes are weak, with some parts needing replacement before expected.

One of the reasons people choose Range Rovers is that they are awesome off-road. This is one luxury SUV that will cross rivers, climb mountains and cross snow-covered fields. This is all down to its sophisticated drive system, and it also suffers from issues.

Often subjected to oil starvation, the differential will whine. If untreated, the gears can grind, shed teeth or seize. Draining the fluid will usually give a good indication of the condition. A glittery appearance usually means contaminated oil. Also, a replacement unit is not cheap.

At the heart of every Range Rover lies a powerful engine. Bristling with torque, it will ensure that no muddy rut slows up the capable SUV. Powerplant choices are huge. Whether it be petrol, diesel or hybrid. Naturally aspirated or supercharged. There's an option for every driver.

Whatever the year, the Range Rover often suffer from engine problems. Early cars would overheat. Diesel units would suffer a whole raft of catastrophic failures. Petrol units kill radiators, eat timing chains, and suffer manifold woes. None likely to be wallet-friendly to fix.

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When you're in command of a three-tonne luxury truck, the brakes better work. Unfortunately, for a lot of Range Rovers, there have been parking brake faults. Usually signified by screeching, locking up, or failing to release. This can also lead to more costly repairs.

Likely culprits for handbrake failure are worn handbrake shoes or actuators. Besides this, the ABS and Traction Control modules have also been known to play up. Usually signified by a warning symbol or alert on the dashboard display, brake worries are quite common.

Throughout its entire life span, the Range Rover has been plagued with electrical issues. Later cars have a huge amount of wiring, all feeding sensors, and computers. Faults can arise from simply having switches fail, to the more serious issues like full-on vehicle shutdowns.

Jaguar Land Rover itself issued a major recall on some vehicles built between 2019 and 2021. In some conditions, they had seen vehicles lose all electrical functionality. Earlier vehicles also have a bad reputation for electrical complications. Each model year has key faults.

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When tackling tough terrain a Range Rover can wade through some pretty deep water. Contrary to this watertight prowess, Range Rovers seem to have an issue with fluids. Oil leaks are common. From just about every part of the engine, transmission, and connected units.

Range Rovers also seem averse to retaining coolant, fuel, and other system fluids. If it gets poured into a Range Rover then it's likely to leak out somewhere. Or leak in. Because both window and sunroof seals let rain in. As do the floor, roof, door, and trunk seals.

As identified in yet another recent recall, there have been steering concerns. Mainly with bolts corroding on the power steering unit, leading to potential steering failure. Older cars have also suffered from steering column complaints, with replacement the cure.

Owners have also reported premature steering motor failures. Frequent airbag error messages. Stereo and Bluetooth button issues. Plus unnerving noises from the steering shaft. Worn parts can be replaced, but out of warranty that may generate another big bill.

Often seen on diesel-fed models, power can just disappear overnight. Likely culprits have blocked EGR or DPF valves. Split hoses can also cause havoc. Low boost pressure can make a Range Rover crawl along spewing black smoke. Not a good look.

The petrol-powered versions don't escape unscathed either. Problems with timing belts, catalytic converters, fuel pumps, and sensors all rob power. Plugging a Range Rover in for diagnostics doesn't always help, and finding a solution to the fault can become tiring.

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In truth, build quality has improved over the years. As the Range Rover has become more luxurious, its parts have been screwed together with more precision. Depending on the company ownership, of course. Pick a year, pick an owner, and you will quickly see the differences.

Early cars are the worst affected. Trim can come away in your hands. Even with some brand-new cars, things are a little hit-and-miss. Panel gaps have been noted as being off. Interior pieces lose, or faulty. It's good, just not great. And you want great at this price.

Depreciation is the Range Rover's biggest enemy. As soon as it rolls off the showroom floor it has lost a stack of cash. This means they can be bought relatively cheaply second-hand. And that is a sliding scale of cheapness. Old Range Rovers are worth peanuts.

That said, it's a prestige vehicle with prestige running and repair costs. Some owners buy into the lifestyle with their Range Rover, but don't buy into the maintenance costs. That makes for a knackered money pit on wheels for the next poor chump chasing a dream.

Having cut his teeth on the UK street racing scene in the late 90's and early 00's RJ faded from the limelight only to return 20 years later. An avid motoring enthusiast RJ especially enjoys JDM and Italian cars, and is an experienced multi-industry writer.