Technical Bulletin: Squeak Noise From Steering Column/Steering Gear Pinion Seal
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport powertrain problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 3 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 powertrain problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving, the truck gets stuck in 3rd gear, warning message "transmission fault; limited gears" this happened a few times at low city driving speeds, and also occurred while driving on the highway at higher speeds.
The truck has been jumping into 3 gear at high speeds and getting stuck there.
The truck will automatically drop into 3rd gear from high speeds, drastically reducing the speed, and will not shift into another gear, and seems to reset when the engine is turned off and back on, with the problem reoccurring with greater frequency the warmer the car gets. This happens when the car is in motion above 30 MPH
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 powertrain problem on the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 109,768 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2009/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.