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2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering mounting plate/flange. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel tank flange leak and gasoline odor.” Land Rover schedules service annually: oil and inspection every 12 months or roughly 16,000 miles, whichever comes first, with the interval message shown in the instrument cluster. The published intervals assume on-road use — Land Rover halves oil and driveline intervals for sustained off-road driving, deep wading, or heavy towing. On air-suspension models (Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery), have the compressor, struts, and ride-height sensors inspected at every service; it's far cheaper as a check than as a failure.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:MOUNTING PLATE/FLANGE

Campaign #21V635000 · Dec 8, 2021

Issue: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Range Rover Sport and 2010-2016 LR4 vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 or 5.0L V8 engines. The fuel outlet flange mounted on the fuel tank may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel outlet flange, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2022. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N623.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel tank flange leak and gasoline odor

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

17 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a fuel odor around the exterior of the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed the fuel odor on the interior of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11580155
“The contact owns a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V635000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11443293
“The shop I took my vehicle too says the vehicle is leaking gas. They looked up the vin for recalls showed me the recall said I'd have to take it to a dealership”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11693123

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain and tensioner failure

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2022-12

“MY CAR AT APPROX 58000 MILES HAD A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. LAND ROVER CENTERVILLE DIAGNOSED IT AS NEEDING A NEW TENSIONER, TIMING CHAIN AND SUPERCHARGER ISOLATOR. THE REPAIR WAS $6200”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11281815
“RATTLING NOISE FROM THE TIMING CHAIN. IT IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE DUE TO THE USE OF SUBSTANDARD TENSIONING RAILS AND GUIDES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11192807
“The motor has timing chain issues they all do I was quoted 8000 dollars to fix it 90k Miles on car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11497839

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transfer case and driveline failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-03 → 2024-12

“Gearbox failure. NO warning lamps, symptoms or messages prior to the incident. While driving down the road, upon accelerating; the vehicle would not move forward. The shift was in drive. There was an indicating (grinding) noise beneath the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11629881
“DRIVING ON THE ROAD, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ANY CONTROL OF THE DRIVETRAIN. VEHICLE WAS LEFT COASTING IN TRAFFIC, AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV WITHOUT ANY INFLUENCE ON MOVING THE SUV”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11203823
“WHEN YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE VEHICLE WILL KEEP ROLLING AND NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING YOU HAVE TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10937447

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Momentary electrical shutdown while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2013-03 → 2026-08

“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE CAR EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL ANOMALY CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS, DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND SEVERAL ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS TO GO OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10503690
“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CAR EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL ANOMALY TWICE, EACH TIME CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS, DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND SEVERAL ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS TO GO OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10915429
“Vehicle experienced a complete electrical failure while driving. The vehicle is a 2012 Range Rover Sport. At approximately 25 mph, the engine shut off, all exterior and interior lights went out, and the steering wheel locked in the straight‑ahead position”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11755587

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of engine power

ENGINE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2013-03 → 2026-07

“CAR WAS PERFECTLY FINE, WELL MAINTAINED, THEN JUST STOPPED RUNNING.. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND SAID ENTIRE ENGINE WAS BLOWN / RUINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11229560
“ON 18/03/2013 5:50 PM, THE CAR LOST POWER & STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A SHOPPING PLAZA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10504233
“In January 2025 I noticed light ticking/knocking at startup, idle, and while driving. On January 23, 2025 I searched online for how to check the oil level and for an L322 dipstick location (there is none)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701275

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Annual Service)

Every 16,000 mi

Replace oil and filter every 12 months or about 16,000 miles, whichever comes first, using the JLR-spec oil grade for your engine. Off-road use, wading, or towing: halve the interval per Land Rover's own severe-service guidance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Full-time AWD punishes mismatched tread depth — replace tires in sets of four on Range Rover and Discovery models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 16,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and wear sensors at every annual service. Heavy curb weight means Range Rover Sport pads wear faster than sedan owners expect.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage — sooner if the vehicle wades regularly, since moisture ingress is the failure mode.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Air Suspension & Underbody Inspection

Every 16,000 mi

At every annual service: check air springs for cracking, compressor operation, ride-height calibration, and underbody/driveline condition. Off-road-driven vehicles: also inspect skid plates and breather lines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Transfer Case Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace transfer case fluid around 60,000 miles — sooner with regular towing or off-road use. The active transfer case on Range Rover Sport and Discovery is sensitive to degraded fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Front & Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace front and rear differential fluid around 60,000 miles; halve that for wading or towing. Models with the active rear locking differential use a specific fluid — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ZF 8HP)

Every 60,000 mi

The ZF 8-speed is marketed as lifetime fill; ZF itself recommends fluid and pan service around 60,000-100,000 miles. Independent JLR specialists lean toward 60,000 for towing and off-road vehicles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles on-road; inspect at every service if the vehicle sees dust, gravel, or trail use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 16,000 mi

Replace at every annual service. Most JLR models locate it behind the glovebox; some Range Rover models have twin filters.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

JLR long-life coolant is scheduled for roughly 10 years; independent specialists suggest refreshing around 100,000 miles, using only JLR-spec coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport reflects Land Rover's published service intervals and the Service Interval Indicator system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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