Recalls: Land Rover L319 Discovery 4
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Land Rover L319 Discovery 4
2012-13 Land Rover Discovery 4: panoramic glass roof
In December 2015, a recall was issued for 2012 and 2013 Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles with panoramic glass roofs. In some of these vehicles, the primer used to bond the panoramic roof glass to the roof assembly may not have satisfied the specification. If the panoramic roof glass panel detached from the vehicle, it could collide with other vehicles on the road or compel other road users to take evasive action, thereby increasing the risk of a collision. The recalled Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles had VINs in the range SALLAAAF4CA642486 to SALLAAAG5CA647258 (PRA 2015/15111).
2012-13 Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6: engine may not start or stop running
In July 2016, a recall was issued for Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles that had 3.0 TDV6 diesel engines and were manufactured from 2 April 2012 to 2 May 2013. In these vehicles, the engine may not start or may stop running without warning due to an incorrectly manufactured crank position sensor. If the latter occurred, the vehicle would lose power braking and steering assistance such that increased brake pedal and steering effort would be required to control the vehicle. If the vehicle had an air suspension system, the system may also reduce the vehicle to its lowest ride height position. As such, the cessation of the engine while driving posed an accident hazard to the driver and other road users. The recalled Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles had VINs in the range SALLAAAG5CA626785 to SALLAAAM6DA653082 (PRA 2016/15505).
Problems and faults: Land Rover L319 Discovery 4
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2009-12 Land Rover Discovery 4 2.7L TDV6, 3.0L TDV6 and 3.0L SDV6: crankshaft bearing failure
In May 2014, Land Rover issued service bulletin SSM71816 for Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles that had V6 diesel engines manufactured from 2009 to 2012, i.e. the Discovery 4 2.7L TDV6, 3.0L TDV6 and 3.0L SDV6. According to the bulletin, these vehicles could experience crankshaft failure due to:
- Incorrect location of the main crankshaft bearing shells during assembly; or,
- Rotation of the crankshaft bearing shells during normal use.
Owners have reported experiencing sudden engine failure and having had less than thirty (30) seconds to pull off the road once abnormal engine noises are heard. The service bulletin lists the following as symptoms of crankshaft failure:
- The engine may make a loud ‘rumbling/knocking’ noise when running which worsens under load. Furthermore, the engine oil pressure warning light may flash or be continuously illuminated, especially at low engine speeds;
- There may be a hole in the oil sump or engine cylinder block, with oil leakage and/or metallic debris in the under-tray; and,
- If the crankshaft seized, it would not be possible to turn the engine (via the starter motor or crankshaft pulley bolt).
It is understood that a new crankshaft bearing design was introduced in 2012 to prevent crankshaft bearing failure.
In August 2016, SSM72928 was issued and AustralianCar.Reviews understands that it supersedes SSM71816.
Land Rover L319 Discovery 4 2.7L TDV6: turbocharger actuator arm corrosion
In May 2011, Land Rover issued Service Bulletin SSM49537 for Land Rover L319 Discovery 4 vehicles that had 2.7L TDV6 engines. In these vehicles, the turbocharger actuator arm pivot points could corrode and cause a full or partial seizure of the actuator arm mechanism. If this occurred, the vehicle may exhibit the following symptoms:
- A loss of engine power;
- Illumination of the Check Engine Lamp (CEL); and,
- Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) for turbocharger boost pressure faults.
To fix, Land Rover released actuator service kits so that the entire turbocharger did not have to be replaced.
Land Rover Discovery 4: air suspension compressor failure
In November 2012, Land Rover issued technical bulletin LTB00420 (version 2) for 2010-12 Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles with VINs in the range AA513326 to CA638964. Due to failure of the air suspension compressor, the air suspension warning lamp may illuminate, the air suspension will not rise and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) C1A20-64 may be logged. The Land Rover Discovery 4 was fitted with either a Hitachi or ‘old-design’ AMK air suspension compressor, both of which could be replaced by a new-design AMK air suspension compressor (part no. LR044360 for the replacement kit).
2009-13 Land Rover L319 Discovery 4: audible boom/vibration at 2400-2800 rpm
In March 2013, Land Rover issued Technical Bulletin LTB00305NAS3 for 2010-14 model year Land Rover L319 Discovery 4 vehicles with serial numbers after AA510742. In these vehicles, an audible boom may be heard or a vibration may be felt through the vehicle floor or front seat at 2400-2800 rpm during medium to heavy acceleration (i.e. not during cruise or light load situations). According to the bulletin, this condition could be caused by ‘powertrain torsion mode’, where the transfer box was effectively twisting on the rear of the transmission. To fix, a vibration damper was to be fitted to a vacant threaded hole in the transfer case.
2009-13 Land Rover L319 Discovery 4: transmission oil cooler pipe leak
In September 2014, Land Rover issued Technical Bulletin LTB00378NAS2 for 2010-13 ‘model year’ Land Rover L319 Discovery 4 vehicles that had serial numbers in the range AA510178 to DA699714. In these vehicles, the transmission oil cooler pipe(s) may leak due to a poor bracket paint finish and/or low torque on the saddle clamp nut which allowed the pipe to rub through the paint. To fix, the transmission fluid pipes were to be replaced and a new aluminium plate fitted.
2009-14 Land Rover Discovery 4: tow bar and risk of trailer detaching
In 2014, Land Rover UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles that had VINs in the range SALLAAAD4AA510178 to SALLAAAG5FA744273. For affected Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles, owners may have unknowingly exceeded the trailer hitch nose weight specification or were not removing the quick release tow ball from their vehicle when not in use. This could:
- Cause premature wear of the quick release tow ball system; or,
- Increase the risk of the self-adjusting mechanism not operating correctly.
If these events occurred, the tow ball may become loose and make a rattling noise. In extreme cases, however, trailers could detach from the vehicle and cause a collision. For affected Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles, the tow bar was to be checked and the type of use identified. If the tow bar was damaged or was the wrong type of tow bar, then it would be replaced (NCA/2014/022).
2009-13 Land Rover L319 Discovery 4: steering gear O-ring fluid leaks
In August 2013, Land Rover issued a Technical Service Bulletin (Reference SSM60517) for Land Rover L319 Discovery 4 vehicles. In these vehicles, oil may leak from the supply and return hose O-ring seals. Where a steering gear leak was suspected, the following process was to be followed:
- Clean the area of the pinion housing, casting, yoke plug, gaiter and pipe connections;
- Replace the supply and return O-ring seals and top up the fluid level;
- Start the engine, allow it to idle and rotate the steering wheel lock-to-lock for three cycles. Then, switch off the engine and re-assess the area of the oil leak;
- Only if there were signs of damage or fluid leak from the pinion housing, casting, yoke plug, gaiters or O-ring seals was the steering gear to be replaced.
