VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Land Rover Range Rover Sport2006–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🏅 LUXURY
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2006–2026
D+
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
4.4/yr · seg. median 1.5
Safety
Moderate
32 inj.
Open Federal Investigation
Engineering Analysis: steering
50% of EA investigations historically become recalls
57
Recalls
505
Complaints
2021
Best Yr
35
Injuries
Top issue: ENGINEAvoid 2020
21
Years Analyzed
57
Total Recalls
505
Total Complaints
35
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK5yr old
2021
Acceptable · 56/100
Reliability44/100
Value window78/100
Recalls5
Complaints16
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
#2 PICK7yr old
2019
Acceptable · 55/100
Reliability45/100
Value window73/100
Recalls2
Complaints23
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
#3 PICK4yr old
2022
Acceptable · 55/100
Reliability44/100
Value window75/100
Recalls5
Complaints16
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Land Rover Range Rover Sport Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2020

4 recalls · 51 complaints

21 reported injuries

Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#2 WORST
2015

8 recalls · 45 complaints

1 reported injury

Top issue: STEERING

#3 WORST
2016

5 recalls · 52 complaints

2 reported injuries

Top issue: STEERING

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 4 past investigations into the Range Rover Sport became recalls.

OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Apr 2026NHTSA #EA26003
front steering knuckle fractures
Component: steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm · affects 2014–2022
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
Recently concluded investigations
PE25006 · steering · closed Apr 2026→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 30, 2026.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202600——
50
30
43
Excellent
20253112—
48
45
47
Good
20246181—
41
58
47
Caution
2023322——
44
68
52
Good
2022516——
44
75
55
Good
2021516——
44
78
56
Good
202045121—
25
77
43
Avoid
2019223——
45
73
55
Good
2018130——
43
67
51
Good
20175483—
25
60
37
Avoid
20165522—
25
53
35
Avoid
20158451—
25
46
32
Avoid
20146252—
36
40
37
Caution
2013022——
49
35
44
Good
2012026——
47
31
41
Good
2011145——
35
28
33
Caution
2010122——
47
28
40
Good
200906——
50
28
42
Excellent
2008011——
50
28
42
Good
200702——
50
28
42
Excellent
20062143—
47
28
40
Good

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Known Land Rover Range Rover Sport Problems

Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.

ENGINE
74
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
66
STEERING
52
SUSPENSION
37
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
35
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
34
STRUCTURE:BODY
27
POWER TRAIN
22

Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Range Rover Sport compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 56).

Best: 2021

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2013 (Buyer Score 44).

Best: 2013

Pre-2013

Older Range Rover Sport models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Range Rover Sport to buy?+

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport scores highest on our Buyer Score (56/100) — combining a reliability score of 44/100 with a value score of 78/100. It has 5 recalls and 16 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Range Rover Sport years have the most problems?+

The 2020, 2015, 2016 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2020 Range Rover Sport leads with 4 recalls and 51 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Range Rover Sport problems?+

The most frequently reported Land Rover Range Rover Sport issues involve: ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, SUSPENSION. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.

Deep-Dive Research

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a VIN Check →