NHTSA Complaint #10151738 — 2003 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MISALIGNED WHILE MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADJUSTED THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THE DRAG LINK WAS REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DURING ANOTHER VISIT, THE DEALER NOTICED THE BRACKET ON THE FRAME WHERE THE FRONT TRACK BAR BOLTS WAS FRACTURED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRACTURE WAS CAUSED BY A COLD WELD OR WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY WHEN MANUFACTURED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY THE SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT FRAME SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A FRAME ALIGNMENT MACHINE; THE BRACKET WAS BENT BACK INTO PLACE AND WELDED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS POSSIBLY MANUFACTURED WITH THIS DEFECTIVE FRAME WELD AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN WELDED MECHANICALLY. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS MISALIGNED WHICH CAUSED THE TAIL PIPE TO RATTLE. THE WAS A FLUID LEAK COMING FROM THE TRANSFER BOX DUE TO A FAILED INPUT SHAFT SEAL. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB