Nearly 20,000 Range Rovers recalled

If you were fortunate enough to put a 2003-2005 Range Rover in your garage, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is delivering some bad news. According to a just-released recall, a total of 19,168 Range Rover models may have misaligned front driveshafts. If left unchecked, the increased wear on the front splines may cause them to fail... possibly leading to an accident. While this recall isn't exactly explosive in nature, it is an item that should be inspected and/or replaced. As a result, Land Rover will begin contacting owners after January 6, 2009 to schedule appointments for the installation of an updated design, if needed. In the meantime, if your beloved Range Rover is severely vibrating, or making a nasty front-end noise, please go have it checked before something ill happens.

[Source: Good Car Bad Car]

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 08V635000 EA07012
NHTSA Action Number: EA07012

Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Potential Number of Units Affected: 19168

Summary:
LAND ROVER IS RECALLING 19,168 MY 2003-2005 RANGE ROVER VEHICLES. THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING SLEEVE AND THE PROPELLER SHAFT MAY BE MISALIGNED, RESULTING IN SPLINE WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. AS THE WEAR BETWEEN THE PROPELLER SHAFT AND THE DIFFERENTIAL SPLINE COUPLING PROGRESSES, NOISE AND VIBRATION ARE EXPECTED.

Consequence:
CONTINUED VEHICLE OPERATION CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN THE SPLINES SHEARING AND A LOSS OF DRIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN OF THE PROPELLER SHAFT, THE FLANGE KIT AND HEAT SHIELD KIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-313-594-7688.

Notes:
LAND ROVER RECALL NO. P041. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.