Land Rover - Disgraceful Product Support - Lets get some Action

[WazzaACT]

After years of concern about Land Rover reliability but really admiring the vehicle I bought a brand new D3 in 2007 having read all the good reports.

After around 2 years of operation I was concerned about drive shaft noises and reported it to Land Rover only to get evasive responses. Eventually I purchased the Service Bulletins only to find acknowledged issues with both front and rear diffs but only if the owner complained. I did complain but only the front diff was replaced because there was no "oil leakage evident" on the rear diff.

I went to a well known independant expert who also reported the transmission had a problem but Land Rover said no. Now, about a year out of warranty, both rear diff and transmission need replacing.

How can such a great car be let down by such an appalling dealer backup? Anybody else had similar problems?

[Neil P]

Why on Earth did you not go to another Dealer ?
Would you not have gone to another dentist , medic or lawyer ?
What are the rear diff and transmission problems you've got ?
I've had front diff replaced , which was accidently replaced as
a rear diff replacement ( paperwork cockup ) first .:o
Front diffs failure are common ; rears , far less so..........

[p38arover]

Some years ago I complained to LR about a dealer who didn't update the LR database with some vital informnation - the replacement lockset information - something that will cost me thousands to fix as I can't buy a replacement keyfob. The complete lockset will have to be replaced and the Body Electronic Control Module (the car's main computer) reprogrammed.

Their response (over the phone) was that they can't interfere with the way a dealer operates his business.

What? They can't chastise a dealer whose staff don't do basic recordkeeping? Better for the customer to well and truly out of pocket and totally annoyed with the dealer (from whom I'd never buy a vehicle) and LR?

[WazzaACT]

Neil the comparison with Doctors and dentists is just not relevant, Landrover sold me the vehicle and it is their brand name and reputation at stake. But you do raise the other big problem a lack of dealer options. The nearest dealer to me after the one I was using is 300km away.

Lack of dealer support across Australia is a huge problem for an off road vehicle.

[Neil P]

Distances are a major problem with some imported marques , and
having lived in Cairns , ( the nearest alternative was Townsville )
I understand the choices. What's the problem with the trans. that
requires a major overhaul ? This vehicle is not that old , and I'm
assuming you've got documentary paperwork re: reporting these issues
and the replies you got ( Don't say no to this question ! ) , so that
you can seek legal advice.

[CaverD3]

Under consumer law there is "reasonable expection of life" over and above maufacturers warranty. If you go the legal path they will negotiate.
LR are better than some but none of them want to pay.

[WazzaACT]

Yes I do have the document trail and my point is that it was reported with problems before the warranty expired and this was confirmed by a very experienced independant Landrover specialist. The difficulty is that it did not break down fully until another year had passed.

Fortunately my eldest son is a senior corparate lawyer so I will be really testing LR resolve on this.

What I really want to encourage is others to also let LR know that this simply is not good enough.

[John W]

Yes I do have the document trail and my point is that it was reported with problems before the warranty expired and this was confirmed by a very experienced independant Landrover specialist. The difficulty is that it did not break down fully until another year had passed.

Fortunately my eldest son is a senior corparate lawyer so I will be really testing LR resolve on this.

What I really want to encourage is others to also let LR know that this simply is not good enough.

Go Wazza. My car is now 12 years old but I had a stack of stuff done under warranty in the first couple of years like a new motor! and then for a couple more years they replaced a whole lot of stuff that broke down at different times where I would just pay labour or pay 1/2. Still ****ed me off but better than copping the whole bill. I will watch this one to see how your son is able to "negotiate" with LR.

[Hoges]

Somewhere along the way in law school students are taught how to write stuff send to send otherewise respectable people into seizures :eek::twisted:
Having this capability in the family is very wise of you and shows great forethought in investing in their education;)

It's "Payback time" so encourage said son to take up the cudgels on behalf of a loving aged father and show you how he does his stuff.:twisted: It will be probably read by another lawyer who will recognise no doubt that the game is up and act in accordance with your wishes...we hope.:p:p

Then when he has shown his capacity to rattle the LR Indifference Club, he can become the AULRO Corporate counsel ... we could even start a new thread!:wasntme:

Good luck!

maintain the RAGE

[alittlebitconcerned]

Stay the course and you will eventually get somewhere with them if you remember the REALLY squeaky wheel gets the oil. Its just such a shame so much time and energy has to be spent before you get what you paid for. I only started getting somewhere myself when i think they realized I was serious about taking legal action. LR is not a company I could recommend to anyone, but I believe that if everyone held them accountable they would have to rise to the occasion or fail altogether. I hope I'm not being naive.
Good luck to you.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hi guys, it is a really frustrating not getting the support you believe should be concurrent with the purchase of your vehicle.

I would however remind you that this is an open forum that could subject Incisor to significant legal costs should a named manufacturer believe they have been liabled by a forum member.

Please read the AULRO FAQ on negative threads http://www.aulro.com/afvb/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_negativethreads and act accordingly.

Diana

[Hymie]

Why on Earth did you not go to another Dealer ?
Would you not have gone to another dentist , medic or lawyer ?
What are the rear diff and transmission problems you've got ?
I've had front diff replaced , which was accidently replaced as
a rear diff replacement ( paperwork cockup ) first .:o
Front diffs failure are common ; rears , far less so..........

It's not there are Landrover dealers laid on. Thehy are pretty thin on the ground.

[incisor]

apart from involving me and mine in your problems, history shows that this site is VERY well monitored.

history also shows that OP's rarely win much after talking about it here and there has been a couple of well documented instances over the years that reinforce my belief that you do yourself a disservice taking this approach.

hope it works out for you in the end.

IMHO you are much better served

1) using a site like notgoodenough

2) engaging professional assistance

Land Rover are no worse and in many instances much better than the competition in my experience.