Warranty Issues

[lrdef110]

My October 2010 D4 has done 54,000 km's but has developed a knock in the front under braking which has been diagonised correctly as the front suspension bushes. I also get a 'normal height only' message after raising from access height.

Have been to the dealers but apparently because I have a bull bar, sliders, auxillary fuel tank, 4x4 intelligence carrier and rear ORS aluminium drawers (with third row seats removed), dealer response was "suspect this makes a big load and made the bushes crack - This in not covered under warranty"

Also response re the compressor was "Suspect compressor weak because of heavy load of modification - this is not covered under warranty"

I have been to the weighbridge and the vehicle weighs 2940kg with both tanks full leaving me 300 kg of available weight to reach GVM.

Land Rover customer care have advised that this is to be a matter between the local dealer and myself. (I did not purchase from this dealer as there was none in my city at the time and the one I purchased from is 400 km's away). Now dealer wont return my calls to even discuss the matter any further.

Does anyone know if there is a contact in Land Rover for warranty issues other than Customer Care because they have advised that there is no public access to the warranty guys or because when travelling I would be at or close to GVM do I not have a leg to stand on?

Cheers

[mowog]

If the car is in within GVM then they don't have a case. Take it to your states fair trading department.

I tow a 3500kg van I have a Kaymar rear bar and a Long Ranger tank my rear shocks went soft at 50000klm. There was no argument the rear airbags and shocks were replaced.

They can only refuse warranty if you exceed spec's but they have to be able to prove that was the cause.

[roamer]

Hi
Just on the compressor, there is a campain Q213 on the compressor,
changes Hitachi to AMK with relay upgrade ect,
you maybe in that (mine was a 2010/ aug 09)
May fix that problem as a side effect

Check if you have an outstanding service bulliten on the Topix site

I had mine sold and out of warranty, but was told that it would be done FOC anywhere in Aus for new owner

I also had bushes and shockies changed (twice) under warranty, with bar and they knew I towed 2.5 ton (250kg ball wieght)

Cheers Ken

[BobD]

I also get a 'normal height only' message after raising from access height.

Cheers

Irdef110,

Check with Graeme re the suspension message. I see you have Llams and there is a Llams wiring harness problem that can cause this message. If it is the Llams harness, you should be able to raise the car using the Llams switch but not the car height change switch. Graeme will be able to advise further and there is a post from him on this problem on the forum.

Bob

[AnD3rew]

I have had a number of bad experiences with LRA on warranty issues, but I advise you keep at them, use threats, use a lawyer to send a letter of demand if required take it to fair trading and ACCC if required. Youa are within the rated GVM and so the weight is no excuse. Their only leg may be if they can make a case that tis is a genuine wear and tear consumable item which has reached it's reasonable serviceable end of life which is not covered under warranty.

But LRA are :censored: and don't give a :censored: about their customers so you have to harass them and threaten them until you get what you need.

[Graeme]

The most common cause for 'normal height only' after raising from access height is that the compressor is too slow at filling the reservoir. As the reservoir is maintained at a considerably higher pressure than the airsprings the compressor takes a lot more time to achieve the required pressure if the compressor is weak. However if a Llams kit is fitted then its prudent to remove the loom to return the wiring to standard to both exclude the possibility of a connection fault for a cross-link valve and so that the Llams system can't be used as an excuse to not replace the compressor.

[INDIE2002UK]

Hydra bushes go quite regularly should not be a problem under warranty also the compressor. They have now stopped using the hitachi compressor altogether you can only get the amk which at the moment comes as a kit to change over. Sounds like the advisor a a/hole. We have done many here with more modifications than yours

[Ashes]

I can accept that the bushes are a wear item and especially if you are doing a lot of offroad work. The compressor should be a warranty item if it is found to be failing at those sort of k's. Maybe see if LR will meet you halfway if they don't agree to fix both. In LR's defense, the car is getting close to max GVM. Put some passengers and luggage on board and you will probably be over.

[CaverD3]

Rubbish. Stick at them consumer protection law is on your side.
Try ACCC first and see if they will contact them. If you make an official complaint they will likely give in.
Under Oz consumer law they have have to fix if there is "a resonable expectation" that the part should last longer. If you need to get asolicitors letter get them to quote this part of the law.
Tojo and others esp Ford and Holden have been refusing good claims for a long time. Looks like LR have started to do the same.
If you let them get away with it like the customers of the other brands they it will become more difficult for LR customers.

[lrdef110]

Funny thing is, they replaced the rear suspension bushes in November 2012 at 52,800km's under warranty. They are now saying this was a mistake and the person who did this is no longer in their employ. Also the dealer is now saying that LR will not authorise the warranty calim for the front bushes but LR Customer Care is saying that it is the dealers call. Can't get a staight answer from either of them.
Cheers

[Ashes]

I would hope the ACCC would be the last resort. I can understnd LR's view but dont necessarily agree it is fair. These cars have a number of bits that seem to wear quicker than expectation for a new person to the marque. If these were less of a surprise that might help a lot. Unfortunately I don't think I'll see a salesman in my lifetime provide a list of expected wear rates. Eg brake disks, 30000km, bushes 50000km, compressor 100000km or 2000 cycles etc.
Definitely keep up the dialogue and try to get the best warranty outcome. Despite the mods, I doubt they are the sole contributor and I'm sure others can provide examples of these components wearing early with and without mods.

[CaverD3]

Ashes I am glad you feel so soory for LRA. ;)

They have set the precident by fixing under warranty.
They need to prove the mods caused the failure.
This looks like LRA is following the new policy of not covering bushes under warranty. This has already happened in the US.
Clearly the bushes are not fit for purpose.
Instruct the dealer to place a warrnty repair request with LRA in writing. If it is refused you know who to deal with. Straight to ACC. It will get their attention.
I suspect LRA are no longer paying dealers for this work which is what they mean by "it is up to the dealer". Maybe ask themif it LRA will honour a warranty claim?

[lrdef110]

Cant work these guys out. After being refused warranty and then 3 weeks of a number of phone calls trying to get some reasoning from customer care and the dealer not taken and not returned, I gave up and decided to get the bushes done at my expense by an independent LR service shop. But out of the blue before this was booked in I got a call from the dealer requesting I bring the D4 in so they can order the parts. How come? The dealer is saying they were battling with LR to approve and LR Customer care says they were battling with the dealer to approve, (but both appear to have wanted to keep me in the dark about all this). Anyway, I don't care why they changed their minds, because I now have new bushes and a new compressor under warranty. Faith is restored.
Cheers

[djambalawa]

Seems crazy... if you had a load in the back continuously amounting to the equivalent weight of those extras of yours and it wasn't over GVM they wouldn't even try... whats the difference? Ah well at least they came good in the end :)