What 49 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (3-door)

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). Only after finding a YouTube video with an undocumented override (double-pressing the “Cancel” button) was I able to see the oil level on January 31, 2025, and it showed zero. I added oil immediately, but the knocking gradually worsened over the following months until very loud clattering began on July 4, 2025. The electronic oil level monitoring and warning system failed. When I followed the owner’s manual procedure to check the oil, the display repeatedly showed “Oil Level Not Available” and never gave any low-oil or no-oil warning, even when the actual oil level was zero. Because this system is the only way to check oil level on this vehicle (there is no dipstick), it prevented me from knowing the engine had no oil. The engine then suffered progressive internal bearing/rod damage and now makes extremely loud clattering. The vehicle and components are still in my possession and are available for inspection upon request. The system’s failure meant I unknowingly drove the vehicle with zero oil, which can cause sudden engine failure, loss of power, and possible engine seizure while driving at highway speed. I used this vehicle on Los Angeles freeways, so a sudden loss of power could have led to an accident or left me stranded in a dangerous location. The vehicle now runs with severe clattering and is unsafe to drive, so I have parked it to avoid a complete failure in traffic. The vehicle has been parked since the severe failure on July 4, 2025 because I have not yet been able to afford towing and diagnostic work. There were no low-oil or oil-pressure warning lamps at any time. Prior to the failure, when I tried to check the oil level using the procedure in the owner’s manual, the display repeatedly showed the message “Oil Level Not Available.”

NHTSA ODI 11701275

While driving 2012 Range Rover Evoque the engine light turned on. The vehicle was taken to the mechanical shop where the light was diagnosed as a cracked engine exhaust manifold w/ turbo. Doing research, it was found that the OEM manufacturer knows about the issues of the cracking engine exhaust manifold w/ turbo since the metal that used to make it is a metal alloy. The replacement engine exhaust manifold w/ turbo part that the OEM sells to repair it is made out of steel and is a costly repair. The OEM puts cost over safety.

NHTSA ODI 11481231

The contact owns a 2012 Land Rover Range Rover. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and surging. Additionally, the contact heard abnormally loud sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently. The contact stated while driving approximately 5-10 MPH in her brother's driveway, the vehicle went into restricted driving mode, jerked forward continuously until she reached the end of the driveway. An unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the Variable Timing Activator (VTA) had failed, the engine jumped timing, there was an internal engine damage, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance due to the mileage and age of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 140,693.

NHTSA ODI 11480138

In about Feb 2017, we purchased this vehicle, a 2012 Range Rover Evoque (5 door), from a GMC dealership; it was previously owned. When purchased, an exhaust smell was noticed inside of the vehicle and the vehicle was returned to the dealership for service and inspection into the cause of the odor. It was ultimately transferred to a Land Rover dealership in Scottsdale, Arizona (Land Rover North Scottsdale 18100 N Scottsdale Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85054) where they determined the turbo charger had a crack in the manifold. It was replaced. About one and a half years later, this smell returned and I contacted the dealership about it. I was told their repair warranty was only for one year and they would not repair it. Researching these turbo chargers on my own, I discovered they are commonly failing and people have experienced similar issues with the turbo and exhaust smell. This time, the exhaust odor seems to only last a short time when first starting the vehicle from a cold start, leading me to believe the crack in the manifold is small and seals itself after the manifold heats up and the metal expands. It is an expensive fix to have a dealership do the repairs, over $4000 at last estimate so I haven't made the repairs since it's probably close to what the vehicle is now worth. In researching the turbo, the OEM turbo manifold looks to be made of stainless steel but it is thin looking. Some aftermarket turbos I have found have cast iron manifolds which I may purchase and take on the repairs my self at this point.

NHTSA ODI 11433248

CAR WAS PERFECTLY FINE, WELL MAINTAINED, THEN JUST STOPPED RUNNING.. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND SAID ENTIRE ENGINE WAS BLOWN / RUINED.

NHTSA ODI 11229560

EXPERIENCING EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. FAILED STATE INSPECTION AFTER MECHANIC CHECKED AND FOUND CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD - LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. FOUND SIMILAR ISSUE ON EVOQUE FORUMS. DEALER INDICATES THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH CARBON MONOXIDE BEING FUNNELED INTO THE VEHICLE BY A FAILED PART, A PART THAT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING, AT LEAST, NOT CRACKING. I WAS WONDERING WHY I FELT SICK, SLEEPY, AND SUFFERED HEADACHES AND VOMITING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUMES FILLED HIS GARAGE AND HE HAD TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF GARAGE IN THE PARKING LOT. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE REASON FOR A RECALL FOR A VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE AND CAN CAUSE DEATH IF VEHICLE IS RUNNING INSIDE THE GARAGE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11184977

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JAGUAR LAND ROVER AUSTIN (1515 W 5TH ST, AUSTIN, TX 78703, (888) 450-9149) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11183234

EXPERIENCING EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD - LESS THAN 72,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. FOUND SIMILAR ISSUE ON EVOQUE FORUMS. DEALER INDICATES THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. ATTACHED DEALER DIAGNOSTIC RECEIPT. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH CARBON MONOXIDE BEING FUNNELED INTO THE VEHICLE BY A FAILED PART, A PART THAT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING, AT LEAST, NOT CRACKING.

NHTSA ODI 11082394

I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE LAND ROVER SERVICE DEPT WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I SMELLED EXHAUST THROUGH THE VENTS AND I WAS GETTING HEADACHES EVERY TIME I DROVE. ON MY FIRST VISIT THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AFTER A MONTH OF CONTINUED EXHAUST ISSUES I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT LAND ROVER SERVICE DEPT AND THEY EVENTUALLY FOUND A HAIRLINE FRACTURE IN THE TURBO. THEY QUOTED ME $6,500 FOR THE REPAIR AND ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME TO SIMPLY RUN MY AIR/HEATER ON MANUAL VERSUS AUTOMATIC AND DRIVE WITH A WINDOW CRACKED. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE THAT WILL WORK ON MY EVOQUE THAT COULD POSSIBLY WELD THE FRACTURE RATHER THAN REPLACING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM BUT HAVING DIFFICULTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10704618

I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH ON FREEWAY FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR. EXITED FREEWAY, STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN LEAVING LIGHT, ACCELERATED NORMAL & INSTANTLY NOTICED THERE WAS VERY POOR ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT DISPLAYED & VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 35MPH. I THEN PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, TURNED CAR OFF FOR 2 MINUTES, RESTARTED & NO CHANGE IN PROBLEM. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED & VEHICLE WAS FIXED AT NO CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10508351

WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, I WENT TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A CAR AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER, AMBER WANING LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 35 MPH. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BUT I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO GET BACK IN THE SLOW LANE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THE LONER EVOQUE THEY GAVE ME DID THE SAME THING IN RAINY WEATHER ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2012. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10478209

ON JULY 28, 2012 MY MOTHER AND I WERE DRIVING TO NEW ENGLAND FROM MARYLAND THROUGH INTERMITTENT THUNDERSTORMS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 65 MILES PER HOUR. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND TOOK OVER 30 SECONDS TO REACH 40 MILES PER HOUR. I OBSERVED THE SPEED WARNING LIGHT AND THE AMBER ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHT COME ON. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD BUT COULD ONLY DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MILES PER HOUR UNTIL THE NEXT EXIT WHICH WAS OVER 2 MILES AHEAD (AS CARS UNSAFELY HAD TO SUDDENLY STOP BEHIND ME ON I-95 AS I MANEUVERED BACK INTO THE RIGHT TRAVEL LANE) SINCE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. ONCE OFF OF THE ROAD (THE RAIN HAD CEASED) I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED THE 74 MILE AN HOUR SPEED WARNING AND THE AMBER ?CHECK ENGINE? LAMP WENT OFF AFTER TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING. I RESUMED MY TRIP THROUGH THE ON-AND-OFF-AGAIN RAIN FOR ANOTHER THREE HOURS AND DID NOT ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I LATER TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT I THOUGHT THAT THE SUDDEN SLOW ENGINE ACCELERATION AND SPEED IMPEDIMENT WAS A FUNCTION OF THE SPEED WARNING AND ASSUMED THAT TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE LACK OF SPEED AND ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND MY MOTHER. ON AUGUST 25TH MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING FOR OVER AN HOUR IN HEAVY RAIN AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. UNLIKE MY EXPERIENCE, A WARNING MESSAGE THAT SAID ?RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE? CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE AMBER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (THERE WAS ALSO AN AMBER HAZARD SIGNAL ON THE DASHBOARD). WHEN WE PULLED OVER, WE LOOKED IN THE OWNER?S MANUAL UNDER THE FOLLOWING WORDS: ?PERFORMANCE, ENGINE, AND WARNINGS, TO FIND THE RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE WARNING AND WHAT IT MEANT TO NO AVAIL. THE RAIN CONTINUED ON THIS EVENING AND WE DROVE (SLOWLY) HOME FOR THE REMAINING 20 MINUTES WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED RED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10474124