I have looked at blogs on the internet. This seems to be a recurring problem. The dashboard is now split on both sides of the passenger airbag. It cannot be repaired because it might affect the integrity of the airbag. This feels unsafe to me since I feel that the air bag could deploy at any time without impact.
2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport airbags problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
When does it fail?
Of the 16 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Land Rover Range Rover Sport we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 16.
Airbags accounts for 36% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2008 Range Rover Sports with airbag defects face two main complaint categories.
Recall parts unavailability: Sixteen complaints center on Takata airbag recalls (NHTSA campaigns 16V374000 and 17V015000) that owners cannot get repaired. Dealers repeatedly told owners that replacement airbags were unavailable, with no estimated ship date provided by the manufacturer. When owners requested loaner vehicles while waiting for parts—which was promised in some written correspondence—dealers refused because parts hadn't arrived. Multiple owners waited months without any timeline for repair. One owner noted the recall was "in effect since last summer" with "numerous calls to dealership as well as Range Rover headquarters" yielding no action. Dealers confirmed parts were out of stock; the manufacturer offered no remedy date.
Dashboard cracking around airbag: Five owners reported the passenger-side dashboard splitting or cracking over the airbag bracket and cover, with some seeing 3–4 separate cracks. One airbag was visibly exposed on the dashboard. Owners worry the structural compromise could cause unsafe deployment. When taken to dealers, technicians acknowledged the cracking but stated that repair would risk airbag integrity and declined to proceed. The vehicle remained unrepaired.
Both issues left owners driving with unresolved safety concerns and no clear resolution path.
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Airbag Recall Parts Unavailability
Owners received NHTSA recall notifications for defective Takata airbags (campaigns 16V374000 and 17V015000) but dealers could not provide repair timelines. Manufacturers would not supply loaner vehicles while waiting for parts to arrive, and some owners waited months without receiving estimated repair dates.
When: Recall notifications received mid-2015 through 2016; some repair delays extended into 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to schedule recall repair due to parts unavailability; Dealer cannot provide estimated date for parts arrival; No loaner vehicle offered during waiting period; Airbag indicator light illumination (reported in one case)
Codes mentioned: 16V374000, 17V015000
Repairs/costs cited: Parts needed for airbag replacement unavailable; no repair completed in any reported case during complaint period
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 16V374000 and 17V015000 for Takata airbag replacement; Land Rover quoted unavailable parts, no promised remedy timeline
Dashboard Cracking Over Airbag Area
Multiple owners reported the dashboard splitting or cracking around the passenger-side airbag bracket and cover. Owners expressed concern that airbag deployment could be compromised or that cracks indicate structural weakness. Dealers acknowledged the issue but stated repair could not proceed due to airbag integrity concerns.
When: Failures reported at approximately 35,000 miles and in vehicle age 8+ years
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard split on both sides of passenger airbag; Multiple cracks over airbag bracket (3-4 separate splits reported); Leather cover over airbag splitting; Exposed airbag visible on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed need for airbag replacement but did not complete repair; noted that repair could affect airbag integrity
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Landrover is not notifying the owners of affected vehicles on the takata airbag recall. They say ' they are not having any problems' don't be concerned - they will notify owner when the have parts. This is taking way too long! *tr
Brought my car for an urgent airbag safety recall matter solicited by land rover and the NHTSA described as a matter that "can cause serious injury or death". Scheduled appointment two weeks in advance and was assured orally and in writing that "if required (the business will) provide a loaner vehicle for free". I arrived on time to my appointment and was told that no loaners are available. I…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 land rover range rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v374000 (air bags), but the part was unavailable for months. The dealer was contacted several times, but was unable to provide a reasonable time frame as to when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 land rover l322 (na). The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v039000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 16v374000 (air bags). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
Dash board starting cracking perfectly around where the airbag is located in dashboard. My car is kept in covered garage to my house.
Passenger side dash is splitting on top over the air bag bracket, 3 separate splits. I am concerned air bag will deploy while driving and cause serious injury or death to front passenger. *tr
Passenger side dash is splitting on top over the air bag bracket, 4 separate splits. I am concerned air bag will deploy while driving and cause serious injury or death to front passenger.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 land rover range rover. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v374000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The ranger rover dealer (holmes european motors, 1221 e bert kouns industrial loop suite a,…
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 73,850 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Land Rover/Range Rover Sport.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.