Thread: The reason LandRover isnt building in this market

Digger, just an afterthought, I admit I haven't read this whole thread yet, and apologise if it's been mentioned before, but have you tried Ryan at Landrover Customer relations on the Defender2 forum.

DEFENDER2.NET - View Forum - Land Rover Customer Relations

I contacted him last year sometime, in regards to the Adapter shaft issues with the Puma's. He replied very quickly, unfortunately he couldn't answer my questions, but he did give me the email address of a Grant McPherson - Director of Quality and Automotive Safety, Jaguar Land Rover.

It seems he has helped quite a few owners out on the other forum with their issues.

It's amazing and shocking that Landrover Australia will not extend the warranty on Bear. It's as if they have no faith in their product or workmanship. It's a small thing to ask for, after all you've been through. I thought loyalty to the brand would be rewarded..........or maybe I should just slap myself, what was I thinking?

Good luck with the drive out of town this arvo.

Originally Posted by ozy013

Digger, just an afterthought, I admit I haven't read this whole thread yet, and apologise if it's been mentioned before, but have you tried Ryan at Landrover Customer relations on the Defender2 forum.
Good luck with the drive out of town this arvo.

Hi, I tried this guy when I had my woes with a certain Brisbane dealer, and the best he could do was refer me back to LR Australia because he's in the UK - and LR Australia was no help to me. It seems his super powers don't work across the ocean based on my experience.

So.... did you make it home OK?

I got as far as Nuriootpa and had to stop to resecure a radiator hose...

Not on my car but on a blokes fairly new hilux

Went OK .... Cheers everyone.

Disappointing to hear of your woes with Solitaire, but not surprised.



A mate is on his 3rd Disco engine, because they kept assembling things with silicone, which comes adrift, gets into the oil galleries, and..... Well, you know the rest.



The last replacement they charged him for. Wouldn't warranty their own work.

Originally Posted by digger

So Anzac Day passes for another year.

I am here again waiting in Adelaide for news of when I can collect the car.
Hopefully I will receive a call today to collect it.

I have been in communication about the situation and have been advised to await the promised recontact from the Land Rover Customer service people before I am willing to get others involved.

This is what I have been advised has been done...(from memory here)

*- tow bar fitted by dealer on purchase and reverse light fuse constantly blows when used with a trailer- almost any trailer...(seems cannot be fixed...)

*-It took three trips to Adelaide for them to replace faulty door rubbers (at @200k either way and time away from work or paying someone to look after kids after school!)

*-This vehicle has had a major breakdown that led to full tow(failing on country road, straight and flat when symptoms detected) and leaving us stranded..

*-The oil cooler had to be replaced, engine flushed multiple times, all apparently sorted.

*-This vehicle has again (within 50 kilometres of us using it) had another major breakdown that led to full tow (again failing on country road, straight and flat when symptoms detected) and leaving us stranded.. ) and an engine replacement as multiple electrical/electronic faults kept crippling the motor when they tried to use it..

*-I was advised a new radiator, new hoses were fitted and system flushed repeatedly to ensure no oil in system

*- air cond system replaced in any part that may have had been affected by previous oil leak and engine failure

*-Radio replaced

*- egr valve replaced due to smoke screen behind vehicle.

*-fuel injectors replaced (egr didnt stop the smoke)

*- suspension adjusted and retightened due to noises after last major work, apparently bolts etc replaced as it has had so many removals / adjustments etc...

*- engine reaching towards 20,000k since new engine fitted, (can start to use again instead of run in mode as now engine should be run in)

*- turbo fails, dramatically - shows bearing failure and fin damage.
I had to borrow a car and a trailer and tow the car into Adelaide for Land Rover to look at it.... (impressive towing my defender with a holden 4wd... maybe a message in there??) turbo allegedly faulty....(not oil starvation I was advised, so bearing failure)

*- assured by land rover no parts of fins etc could be anywhere else but in intercooler if they have left turbo, so intercooler etc completely cleaned (so they tell me)

*- recalls on diff etc done,

*-Collect car, drive 25kms before turbo begins to fail again....back to dealer
they have then worked on vehicle and advised they thing new noise is a hose leaking and they will test drive vehicle.... they took about 2 minutes to return as turbo had completely failed...

*- back to collect vehicle as new turbo now in (that is three!!) left dealer, drove to home and to Melrose for family holiday at L/R weekend.
600k after collecting car (almost exactly) turbo fails on bitumin roadway.
(family sent home with other people who we dont really know except from land rover events once a year!! - I had to take days off work to collect a hire car (a major saga in itself) and then tow my own trailer back home - then days off work again and a trip to return this vehicle to Adelaide Airport two days later or pay penalty fees!!)

*- oil pump allegedly still shows as working correctly, all flushing of oil galleries etc apparently still correct, turbo shows rainbow of heat affected metal.

Turbo expert company consulted allegedly who advise turbo was starved of oil (as we had said from first failure..) oil pump on engine (my replacement engine) replaced with new one... allegedly no reason or cause located for failure of old oil pump once out and examined... so no reason to be confident it will not fail again...

I have cancelled october l/weekend trip across the desert with friends as have no faith in vehicle.. (this being the 2nd time an oct long weekend trip has been cancelled due to failure or fear of failure )

Over 2% of the distance traveled on this vehicle (now @ 58,000k) has been done by land rover in various testing run/ run ins and reliability testing. This does not include the 400k each time in and back to the dealer-- that would be at least 4,000k but I would think lots more...

Land rover state no replacement vehicle

- asked if I would be interested in trading it on another vehicle and they would try and give me a good price!!!!

(NO!! I bought a defender for a reason!! I already spent $55,000+ on the car in the belief I could continue trips to remote country without fear of failure the whole time! I want a defender to keep until the new one is released and I can assess if I want another or not...)

I have a heap of land rover products that I have or do own... (series vehicles) and loved unreservedly my 110 300tdi...

*- they have then said they will instead give me a LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE DAY... a day driving somebody elses presumably reliable land rover... (sort of rubbing the point in??)

*- they have refused to extend the warranty (which expired in dec)

*- now offering me a free service when due (thats 72,000k - I doubt the car (on form so far) will make it to then!!!)

The vehicle has had (numerous times) had less major failures requiring action by land rover

It has died/failed to proceed in major ways 5 times.

I have had three holidays wrecked by failures or fear of failures.

I have had to beg assistance from friends to tow it back to my house when it has broken down. and to get it to Adelaide when the turbo first crapped itself.

I have lost numerous work days (and associated wage) driving back and forth for repairs etc

I bought the car on the strength of its reputation for reliability, land rovers advertising and paperwork etc indicating rugged ability and reliability. I have had every intention of taking this vehicle to the remote desert to visit places I have been with my previous defender and places I have yet to see. After having lived in a number of remote spots we have friends that own/live on remote stations and areas...

But because of this vehicles complete lack of reliability we haven't been able to do this. I honestly expect and try to allow time for failure of the vehicle when I head to town or back to home as my confidence is gone.

This vehicle is a major failure, I know enough people with Pumas to be of the belief that this vehicle itself is the problem not so much the model etc.

I must say I am very disappointed in LAND ROVER --if they wont replace the vehicle and wont even extend a warranty in the short term it indicates to me they also have no faith in the vehicle..

I currently feel that I have been pushed and carried to the end of my warranty in a car and now they will push me out the door and off down the hill and then they are done with me...

anyway we shall see what dies/breaks/fails next..




(sorry about this whining post but this is getting to me big time!) .

Mate i would contact John Cadogan at auto expert.com.au.

Under new Australian consumer law your vehicle has a major fault from manufacture. John will help you fight your case as you are entitled to a refund or replacement under the consumer law ACT.

Go onto youtube and watch the latest video on comsumer law. Type in auto expert and find the latest video.

Good luck

I posted that video about 10 posts back...

Any update Digger?