“I would never buy another one.”
Car dealerships sometimes hand out branded umbrellas as promotional gifts, hoping customers will carry a little free advertising around on rainy days. But for one Range Rover driver, an umbrella has become something considerably more important than a marketing accessory, and might even qualify as essential equipment.
A social media clip from Range Rover owner Rohan (@hinduhomeboy) starts out absurd, since he’s got an open umbrella sticking out of the vehicle’s sunroof. But we quickly learn that it’s his only way to stay (kind of) dry while he’s behind the wheel of the vehicle with a sunroof that is open on a rainy day and refuses to close.
“Shout out Range Rover… your software sucks,” is his explanation for his predicament in the clip that’s been viewed more than 650,000 times.
The umbrella may be keeping some of the rain out, but it’s hardly a practical substitute for a functioning sunroof. Rohan has to contend with the weather while also keeping the umbrella in place, a situation that would be ridiculous in just about any vehicle, much less one sold as a premium luxury SUV.
His complaint about the software doesn’t specify whether the sunroof is refusing to close because of an electronic malfunction or because something in the mechanism itself failed, creating a pretty wide spread when it comes to repair options and costs.
Some commenters were skeptical of Rohan’s diagnosis and were of the opinion that his predicament looks more like a broken mechanical component than a computer problem.
“The software catching strays for the broken window,” one commenter speculated.
Another offered a different interpretation of Rohan’s complaint: “I think he means it doesn’t close due to the sw.”
Electrically operated sunroofs depend on a combination of motors, switches, sensors, and electronic controls. A problem with any of those components can leave a sunroof unable to open or close properly, even when the glass and surrounding hardware are intact.
Land Rover’s service documentation includes a procedure for recalibrating a sunroof after a battery disconnection or interruption in electrical power. The process involves holding the roof control switch while the system cycles through its operating positions to restore normal operation.
Range Rover owners and enthusiasts have identified mechanical resistance, faulty control signals, and electronic malfunctions as separate potential sources of trouble. That means a sunroof that refuses to move isn’t necessarily suffering from a failed motor or some other broken piece of hardware.
The very brief video leaves us wondering and speculating about exactly what’s wrong with Rohan’s vehicle, and the appropriate repair procedure depends on the model and year, though one doomsday commenter pegged the repair cost at $15,000.
A malfunctioning sunroof can become an expensive proposition when resetting its controls doesn’t solve the problem. According to automotive repair estimator RepairPal, replacing the sunroof motor on a 2023 Range Rover typically costs between $2,159 and $2,415, including parts and labor. The estimate for a 2019 model is between $1,693 and $1,949.
Much of the expense comes from the work required to reach the motor.
RepairPal notes that sunroof motors are typically buried beneath the vehicle’s headliner, which may have to be lowered or removed along with portions of the interior trim. Diagnosing the problem can involve testing electrical connections, switches, and control components before determining whether the motor needs replacing.
Those estimates cover motor replacement, not an entire sunroof assembly or damage from rain entering the cabin. Range Rover’s reputation for costly ownership was already on the minds of several viewers, including some who had owned the vehicles themselves.
“Every time I would take my Range Rover to get serviced I’d always tell the people who took my car how much I hated it and how I would never buy another one again,” one supposed former Range Rover owner wrote. “I got rid of it and sleep better at night now.”
Another viewer seemed to be reconsidering a prospective purchase, writing, “I was just about to buy one maybe this is my sign not to.”
Motor1 reached out to Rohan via email and direct message. We’ll update this story if he responds.
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