2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost
The 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost is a luxury sedan known for its opulent interior, smooth ride, and powerful engine. It was offered with a single engine option, a 6.6L twin-turbocharged V12 producing 563 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Owners appreciate the Ghost for its prestige, comfortable ride, and luxurious features. Criticisms often revolve around high maintenance costs, complex electronics, and potential reliability issues stemming from the vehicle’s advanced technology.
Engine
6.6L Twin-Turbocharged V12
- Oil Leaks
- Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can develop from various areas of the engine, including valve cover gaskets and oil pan gasket. Symptoms include visible oil leaks, oil spots under the car, and low oil levels.
- Solution: Replacing the leaking gaskets or seals.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,000+ depending on the source of the leak and labor costs.
- Recalls: None Found
- Turbocharger Issues
- Description/Symptoms: Turbochargers can fail due to oil starvation, wear and tear, or other factors. Symptoms include reduced engine power, unusual noises from the engine, and potentially check engine lights.
- Solution: Replacing or rebuilding the turbocharger.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $3,000 - $6,000+ per turbocharger.
- Recalls: None Found
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
- Rough Shifting/Hesitation
- Description/Symptoms: The 8-speed automatic transmission can experience rough shifting, hesitation, or slipping between gears.
- Solution: In some cases, a software update might resolve the issue. In other cases, the transmission might require repair or replacement of valve body components.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 (for software update) to $4,000+ (for valve body replacement or transmission rebuild).
- Recalls: None Found
Suspension
- Air Suspension Problems
- Description/Symptoms: The Ghost uses an air suspension system for a smooth ride. Common issues include leaks in the air struts or air lines, compressor failure, and ride height sensor malfunctions. Symptoms include a sagging suspension, uneven ride height, and error messages on the dashboard.
- Solution: Replacing the faulty air struts, air lines, compressor, or ride height sensors.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $4,000+ per strut, $500 - $1,500 for the compressor, and $300-$800 per sensor.
- Recalls: None Found
Electrical
- Infotainment System Issues
- Description/Symptoms: The infotainment system can experience glitches, freezes, and navigation problems. These issues can range from minor annoyances to complete system failures.
- Solution: Software updates may resolve some issues. In other cases, hardware replacement might be necessary.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $2,000+ depending on the issue and whether hardware replacement is needed.
- Recalls: None Found
- Battery Drain
- Description/Symptoms: Excessive battery drain can occur, especially if the car is not driven regularly. This can lead to a dead battery and difficulty starting the car.
- Solution: Diagnosing and addressing the source of the drain. This might involve replacing the battery, fixing faulty electrical components, or addressing parasitic drains.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+ depending on the source of the drain.
- Recalls: None Found
- Sensor Malfunctions
- Description/Symptoms: Various sensors throughout the vehicle (e.g., oxygen sensors, mass airflow sensors, ABS sensors) can fail, leading to check engine lights and performance issues.
- Solution: Replacing the faulty sensor.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200-$800+ per sensor, depending on the sensor type and location.
- Recalls: None Found
Exterior
- Automatic Door Closing System Malfunctions
- Description/Symptoms: The automatic door closing system, designed to gently close the doors, can malfunction. This can result in doors not closing properly or repeatedly attempting to close.
- Solution: Diagnosing and repairing the door closing mechanism. This may involve replacing the motor or other components.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $3,000+ per door.
- Recalls: None Found
Interior
- Sunroof Issues
- Description/Symptoms: The sunroof may experience problems opening, closing, or sealing properly. This can lead to leaks or excessive noise.
- Solution: Repairing or replacing the sunroof motor, seals, or other components.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500-$2,000+
- Recalls: None Found
Summary
The 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost, while offering an unparalleled luxury experience, can be prone to certain issues. The most common problems relate to the complex air suspension, electrical systems, and the engine’s potential for oil leaks. While some issues can be minor, others can be quite expensive to repair, reflecting the high cost of maintaining a luxury vehicle. Potential buyers should be aware of these potential issues and factor them into their ownership considerations. The high cost of parts and specialized labor contribute to the generally high repair costs.