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Comments
Karpaydm, seize the day and make them get your rover working again!
The beta tester comment is very true. I have recently been comparing my LR3 to Windows. "It looks great but it only takes a single fault to see the blue screen of death."
I do have some hesitation when accelerating from a stop. I have to press the accelerator very lightly to prevent a sudden jump off the line. I believe this is just a software issue.
My brakes occasionally squeaked sounding like a school bus coming to a stop for the first 1000 miles. It seemed to go away after each time I washed the vehicle and then gradually return. I longer have squeaky brakes. The problem seems to have resolved itself.
My brother owns an XC 90 that took a year to get it to run properly. Most of his issues with the trans and poor fuel mileage were all software related. I'm confident Ford I mean Land Rover will get this resolved.
This is oft reported; I suspect we all find this (I certainly do). "The thunk". Yes, you can baby it, but yes, it would be nice to see this improved.
I was thinking that too! :-)
When my suspension failed it was useful in one sense: I could finally explain to my wife and children why you need shock absorbers. Failed suspension actually means failed shock absorbers.
Perhaps he hasn't tried steeing this 6000lb truck when there is no power. I do see this as a safety issue.
If you wish to file something with this agency, go to http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/.
I do hope they find the cause quickly and can fix this. My LR3 has been in the shop for 8 days and counting since we picked it up 1 month ago.
The Toyota Sequoia forum is organized very well. That forum used to be as active as this one from '01 when the truck was released until probably last year when most of the initial problems were worked out and the novelty of the vehicle has subsided some. Prior to buying my Sequoia in '04 I used that forum a lot. Some of the following strings were quite fun and useful to prospective buyers and owners:
>General Discussion.
>Owners Problems and Solutions.
>Prices Paid and Buying Experience.
It also had a couple of vehicle comparison forums, but this doesn't seem appropriate to this vehicle
Thanks to all that have contributed to this forum. I became enamored with the LR3 when I first saw it, but the discussions here have convinced me that I don't need a new truck until the LR3 gets all of its systems properly integrated and the initial quality issues resolved. That said, if I wrecked my second vehicle tomorrow (or it breaks to such a degree that I refuse to repair it), I would swallow hard and buy an LR3. Of course, I would probably have to wait 6 months for delivery.
Regards and Thanks.
I ask because the US standard on roof strength is too low (as evidenced by rollover crushing of car roofs) and I just saw that a lawsuit with the Explorer, Ford knew the Explorer's roof would crush in a rollover, but ignored the internal engineering advice to reinforce the roof.
...anyways this same company has a boron steel roof on the Volvo and markets it as a strong roof. After looking at video Ford released on the XC90 rolling in a test, I agree with them.
Where does the LR3 stand? Does anyone know of published roll tests, or photos of a LR3 that has rolled? Is the roof strong like the Volvo or will it go flat like an Explorer?
I'm not trying to stir the pot on the whole tire/Explorer issue, just focusing on IF the LR3 rolls (for whatever reason) will I end up a few inches shorter?
The metals used in the front of the truck are softer in the front and the alloy becomes increasingly stronger as you near the passenger compartment. If you look under the hood you will see some horizontal lines in the metal on the sides, those are the the crumple zones. There is also extra reinforcement in the back and on the sides.
tidester, host
The initial Land Rover marketing says:
"The LR3/Discovery 3's body is manufactured like a conventional monocoque. Two monosides are welded to the floor, roof and bulkheads, creating a strong, single structure. Significant use is made of high-strength steels, while enormously strong boron steel is used for the A- and B-pillars, for added strength in front and side impacts.
The roof structure can accommodate both sunroof and alpine roof. The sunroof is a conventional cassette-type design that opens rearwards, outside the vehicle. The alpine roof is a large, full width glass roof bonded into the metal structure, above the second and third-row seats. To preserve strength, it is braced by cross members, invisible from the outside. When neither sunroof nor alpine roof is fitted, the outer roof panel is a single large steel pressing with styled swages to add strength and prevent booming."
Can we set up a grommet-cam? ;-)
tidester, host
finally got my LR3 back with new air bag installed on passenger side; let's hope it does the trick......i have to get off this site soon;
i feel if i keep up w/ the posts i'll be next for a suspension / stalling problem..........to be continued
Initially, the common Sequoia problems were mostly related to the front brake rotors (overheated and warped), the rear area AC unit (failed), and front end alignment problems.
As I recall, Toyota issued TSBs on the front rotors (increased the size), and the AC unit, and had fixed all of the common complaints by model year '03. There was one fellow on that forum that had continued problems, and Toyota bought the truck back.
As many have stated here previously, many people on the forum are there to solve a problem or to see if their problems are common. I think that a person reading this forum probably knows a lot more about the common vehicle problems and well before the service technicians. On the Sequoia forum, it was common for people to take solutions to the service department and explain to them how to implement them. Frequently, Toyota would issue a TSB on an issue and the service departments would not know it existed. Armed with the specific TSB number, they could get the common problems corrected.
So far, it appears that LR needs to do some catching up on these problems. Once they fix them for one of you, the rest can take the solution to their respective dealerships and show them where to find the solution.
In the case of the Sequoia, Toyota seemed to at least acknowledge and find the solutions to the problems a little quicker that LR is. I suspect this will change.
My Sequoia has run without a problem for just over a year now -- 16,000 miles. It is good for pulling boats and hauling kids and dogs, but it is no LR3. I hope all of you dog the heck out of LR till they get all of the problems solved and the features well integrated. Then perhaps some of us sideliners can join in the fun.
Is that official, or just an inspired guess?
:--)
You work for LR and I understand that you take pride for what LR was trying to achieve with this LR3. I agree that LR3 is way better than many by design and I personally like my HSE very much.
For all the nice things that come with the car and that were said to come with car, people shelled out money and paid premium. That being said, people do have to have the confidence to go about their everyday life with this vehicle. I bought this vehicle for my wife to drive in winter time. I am not sure if she could handle at all should any of the severe problems happen while she is on the road. Not matter how nice the truck was designed to be, the reality is that misgiving is becoming a daily companion too.
The problems are evident and serious enough to warrant serious effort. Admit the problems, swallow the pride, send team of engineers to troubled spots and get down to the real bottoms of all these problems, root out the causes on the vehicles that problems had shown and vehicles which are subject to these problems. LR seems to be quite sluggish in answering these problems and this should change.
I am not a mechanic, but I don't get this explanation. Anyone care to explain how that could be?
My guess is some excutive up in LR Corporate gained too much weight in the winter and his cold weather belt broke.
Belt failure at low temperatures (colder than -20 oF) is usually catastrophic with the belt shattering so I think it's a stretch to relate it to stalling issues.
tidester, host
So how many stalls does it take before the fuel adaptive system learns that I do not like to stall?
Their belts operate in a broad spectrum of temperature ranges so it does seem improbable that this is the likely cause!
W
hy would the belts only have a LR problem?
If this were happening there would be more than a few blown up engines!
Dont know why LRNA doesnt speak with one consistent voice? Strange way to operate!
I do have a sugestion for new LR3 owners; when they receive their questionnaire about their LR experience from the LR Marketing Department Executive VP Richard Beattie in charge of LR Marketing Sales & Communications instead of answering their well chosen questions write back with your "well chosen comments" and request answers!
His address is:
2625 Townsgate Road, Suite 100, Westlake Village, CA.91362
I have a feeling the "cold weather belt" refers to a northern region of the country, sort of like the "rust belt" or "grain belt".
The transition from drive to neutral dialing in the sand setting and back to drive was seamless.
I raised the suspension to the high setting and the whole 30 minute experience was quite effortless.
The sand was not as dry nor as deep as it typically is in the heat of the summer. The suspension was firm enough for a descent offroad ride without being too harsh or jarring.
The LR3 moved across the sand ruts with command and ease. Following the ruts at 15mph to 20mph tended to toss the vehicle back and forth.
The bottom line is the vehicle was like a hot knife going through butter. The beach today did not seem like much of a challenge for the vehicle. I will be interested on the performance when the sand is deeper and dryer.
I have read your comment on getting the dealer to buy back the LR3 a few times, but was not sure if you were serious. If you are serious, I would get firm with the dealership quickly to determine if they wish to work with you to make this thing right. It seems that if you ask them nicely they are just going to lead you on until you own a used vehicle (as opposed to a new lemon).
If you determine that they are completely unwilling to rectify the situation, you may have to sue. If it goes to a lemon law suit, you may not be in such a good position if you owned the truck too long or used it too much.
I am curious: If they offered you a replacement, would you take it?
5-year-old technology instead of new on the X5. No excuse for LR to not have it right 5 years later.
tidester, "Volvo XC90 SUV" #930, 4 Jan 2003 12:19 am
As Finman says, it's a common problem with many different vehicles.
Steve, Host
Additionally, the buyback is full payment minus any mileage (usually) at a rate of 10-20 cents per mile...again this can vary.
I agree, he should be firm and alert them that after their ?3rd attempt at fixing it that he would be getting a lawyer and filing under the lemon law. This usually gets the attention of the regional manager and things may get moving a bit faster. Sometimes the corporation may just offer a 'goodwill' buyback with similar reimbursement as above...or offer a new vehicle at no cost. Or, sometimes they can be real a-holes and fight at every chance they can.
Good luck.
I now have 1000 miles on my LR3 SE7. I've had Grand Cherokees, Navigators and the LR3 replaced an X5. I'm in the business and I lease and sell every make and model so I've driven everything out there and this is by far the best driving, most comfortable 7 passenger out there. By reading this forum you are reading and hearing about problems people (stalling and suspension posts are from the same 5 or 6 people) are having because this is where people come to "get the word out". Look at any of the other forums on what you're comparing to and you'll see your share of complaints also.
Most people don't read this forum if they're happy so there are far more satisfied LR3 owners (like me) who just don't come here to shout about it! Get the truck and enjoy!!
What you are describing is a supply problem. For some reason Land Rover held back (or had to) on HSEs...they are way behind...
I ordered my HSE7 at the end of October...and my delivery date has also changed...4 times! From late December (dealer estimate), to January (1st factory estimate), to March, to May, now back to the last week of March (which will likely become April).
Sure it will have some problems...I've owned 2 Audis in the last 3-4 years and if one reads the Audiworld fora, you'd think Audis were the most unreliable cars ever made...people go to these fora to find answers to their problems...only a few come to extoll the virtues...
The LR3 is absolutely the closest to perfection SUV out there...handles well for a big vehicle...holds 7 full size adults, incredible versatility regarding storage and seating, true off-road capability, and just the right amount of luxury without looking pimp or ridiculous (like the Infiniti and Hummers). I will tolerate a reasonable amount of problems...as I have with my Audis...and if it has too many...at least the dealer is close and they give loaners!
Speaking of price, most air suspension systems are problematic and expensive to fix. The pre-03 Range Rover resale values show this. For someone who is waiting out the LR3 launch, buying a used RR at a price that would allow you to quickly scrap the troublesome air bags and convert to conventional springs would be the way to go. I think that the parts and labor is around 4K from aftermarket Rover suppliers (e.g., Rovers East). This should be an easy negotiation starting with "OK, Henry, I'll pay the prevailing (low) price on your used RR, if you let me deduct for the inevitable air bag problem."
LR3Tonga. Someone said in an earlier post that he/she is a Rover employee. Yes? No?