Automatic gearbox Land Rover: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Land Rover models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: CommonZF 6HPValve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxYes, and it can be serious: there are documented failures of the ZF 6HP valve body or mechatronic unit on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models from around 90,000-100,000 km, with cases that go as far as preventing a gear from engaging (including reverse) and dealer quotes of €6,000 to €10,000.Repair: €6,000–€10,000Appears at around 90,000 km
In Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport I
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover IIIAutomatic gearbox failure: jerking, slipping and limp modeAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 15 testimonials describe jerking, slipping, going into limp mode or internal breakage of the automatic gearbox, with cases between 160,000 and 240,000 km (one cites 'gearbox out of service at 160,000').
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover Evoque IAutomatic gearbox: jerky shifts, noises and oil leak (9-speed ZF from 2014)It is one of the weak points owners cite most: the automatic gearbox jerks, slips or does not engage properly. On the 9-speed ZF (from 2014) an oil leak from a poorly made gasket is linked to poor shifting and noises. Several accounts speak of replacing the gearbox.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPMechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Yes, although in a minority of cases: there are documented ZF 8HP mechatronic failures on BMW after 120,000-130,000 km, costing €1,400 to €3,500, and also control unit or electronic selector faults on Audi and Land Rover.Repair: €1,400–€3,500
In Range Rover Sport II
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 6HPJerking and harsh shifts from converter wear and ageing oilYes: on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models with the ZF 6HP there are reports of jerking, hesitation and harsh shifts from 80,000-150,000 km, especially if the gearbox oil has never been changed. The converter locks up in all six gears to save fuel, which speeds up its wear over the years.Repair (garage): €150–€400Appears at around 80,000 km
In Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport I
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 8HPJerking and hesitation when changing gear, sometimes needing reprogrammingYes: on BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo there are accounts of jerking, hesitation or harsh shifts with the ZF 8HP. It is usually due to ageing oil or the calibration of the mechatronics, and the dealer often fixes it -not always first time- by reprogramming the gearbox control unit.
In Range Rover Sport II
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 6HPOil leaks from the sump or the gearbox sealsYes, although in a minority of cases: there are reports of ZF 6HP gearbox oil leaks on the BMW X5 (at 180,000 km) and the Audi A6 (between 204,000 and 208,000 km). If not repaired, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to valve body or mechatronic failure.Repair (garage): €300–€600Appears at around 180,000 km
In Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport I
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPOil leaks from the gearbox gaskets or sumpYes: on the BMW 1 Series and the Jaguar F-Pace there are accounts of oil leaks from the ZF 8HP gearbox gaskets, in one case already at 40,000 km. If it is not repaired soon, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to the jerking or mechatronic failure of the related faults.Repair (garage): €1,000–€2,000
In Range Rover Sport II
- High severityFrequency: RareLand Rover Discovery 3Possible fault in the automatic gearbox's park lockIn 2005 there was a British campaign over an out-of-specification part in the park interlock of automatic gearboxes on cars built in August and September 2005: with the selector in P the lock might not engage, and the car could roll if the handbrake was not applied.
- High severityFrequency: RareLand Rover Discovery SportAutomatic gearbox failure (ZF 9-speed): jerks, delays and replacementSome Discovery Sport owners report automatic gearbox failures: oil leaks, failure at around 90,000-149,000 km and, in one case, at only 9,000 km. A buying guide describes hesitant or jerky shifts from the ZF 9-speed, sometimes because of out-of-date software and sometimes because of the control unit.
- High severityFrequency: RareLand Rover Range Rover Sport IAutomatic gearbox failure: jerking, slipping and refusing gearsAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 5 testimonies out of 65 cite jerking, slipping, refusal to select gears or lock-up of the automatic gearbox across several Sport I engines.

By Land Rover model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the automatic gearbox do Land Rover cars have?

In 6 models from Land Rover there are 11 documented faults with the automatic gearbox. The most important: valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox, automatic gearbox failure: jerking, slipping and limp mode and automatic gearbox: jerky shifts, noises and oil leak (9-speed ZF from 2014). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Land Rover models have the most problems with the automatic gearbox?

Land Rover Discovery 3 (4 faults), Land Rover Range Rover Sport I (4 faults), Land Rover Range Rover Sport II (3 faults) and Land Rover Range Rover III (1 fault).

Which Land Rover engines have faults with the automatic gearbox?

ZF 6HP (3 faults) and ZF 8HP (3 faults).