2002 Land Rover Freelander

Above average

Owners filed 226 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

178 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission43
000
Engine and Engine Cooling40
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine28
002
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System28
011
Power Train7
000
Engine7
000
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor5
000
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights5
000
Electrical System5
121

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch07V041000
Filed Feb 9, 200733,247 vehiclesLand Rover

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. HILL DESCENT CONTROL (HDC), TRACTION CONTROL (TC) AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS MAY ALSO BE ILLUMINATED.

Risk. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP OPERATION AND WHERE REQUIRED, ADJUST AND/OR REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES WITH NEW SWITCHES OF THE SAME DESIGN UNTIL A NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LAMP SWITCH IS AVAILABLE IN MAY 2007. OWNERS WILL THEN BE RE-NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AN INTERIM LETTER FOR THE INITIAL INSPECTION WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2007. THE SECOND LETTER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCHES WAS MAILED BEGINNING JULY 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-80-637-6837.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch05V300000
Filed Jun 28, 20051,941 vehiclesLand Rover

Defect. ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.

Risk. THE OCCUPANT MAY OPEN THE DOOR INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars04V347000
Filed Jul 12, 200431,049 vehiclesLand Rover

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT MARGINALLY ABOVE THE PERMITTED 1000 HEAD IMPACT CRITERIA. AT THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE A-PILLAR TRIM WITH A REVISED COMPONENT THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE TO FULLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Apr 25, 2015110,031 milesVT

I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A GENTLEMAN. HE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO AT 88,000 MILES, AND STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO THE GENTLEMAN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS SERVICE CENTER WHO THEN NOTIFIED HIM THAT HIS TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING. I HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND PLAN TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. IT DOES SEEM A BIT EARLY FOR A TWO OWNER VEHICLE AT 110,000 TO NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT WAS WELL CARED FOR NOT ABUSED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 9, 2014NV

WHAT IS TO SAY THAT HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS NIGHTMARE! I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING ON THIS CAR: POWER STEERING SYSTEM, ENGINE MANIFOLD, COOLANT RESERVOIR, WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, BRAKES 2X, CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, TIMING BELT, AND NOW I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAPPENING THAT EVERYONE ELSE WHO OWNS THIS JUNK EXPERIENCES. THIS IS NOT TO MENTION THAT THE SUNROOF DOES NOT WORK, THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK, AND 3 OF THE 5 POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK EITHER. IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE I HAVE PUT MORE THAN $3000+ INTO THIS THING, AND THAT IS BUT A FRACTION OF TOTAL I HAVE PUT INTO IT DURING OWNERSHIP..AND THE BLUE BOOK VALUE IS LESS THAN $5000 AT BEST! WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW ANGRY IT MAKES ME, AND HOW PATHETIC IT IS OF LAND ROVER TO KNOWINGLY IGNORE THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE SUFFERING THAT OWNERS OF IT HAVE TO ENDURE. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ALONE SHOULD HAVE A MANDATORY RECALL FORCED ON LAND ROVER TO FIX FOR ALL FREELANDERS, AND THAT SHOULD JUST BE THE BEGINNING! I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY LAND ROVER TECHNICIANS HAVE BLATANTLY TOLD ME THAT LR KNOWS THESE ARE A MONEY PIT NIGHTMARE FULL OF DEFECTS, AND THAT THEY HATE TO WORK ON THEM AND FEEL BAD FOR US. WHEN WILL THIS SORT OF TREATMENT BY BIG CORPORATIONS END? WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT? WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ASSIGNED TO ENFORCE RULES GOVERNING THIS SORT OF THING ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING FOR THE CONSUMER? I C

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 25, 2014120,090 milesNJ

THE BRAKE LIGHTS SOMETIMES WORK AND SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK (CITED IN 2 INCIDENTS BY THE POLICE). ALL PARTS ARE FINE (BY CHECK-UP OF A REPAIR WORKSHOP), AND NO REPAIR CAN BE POSSIBLY DONE. PROBABLY, THE HEIGHT OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ABOVE THE GROUND IS TOO LOW, SO THAT IT IS SOMETIMES TOO DAMP OR WET (AFTER SNOW OR RAIN) FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THEY DRY UP, THEY WORK AGAIN. NEXT, THE 2 BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON THE 2 CORNERS OF THE BUMPER, AND THE CENTRAL BRAKE LIGHT IS HIGH ON THE TAILGATE. THEORETICALLY, THE 3 BRAKE LIGHTS GIVE WARNING ENOUGH WHEN THE CAR STOPS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE 2 TAIL LIGHTS ARE HIGH ON THE FENDERS (THE 2 SIDES OF THE CAR'S TAILGATE), RELATIVELY FAR AWAY FROM THE 2 BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE BUMPER. THE 2 TAIL LIGHTS GIVE A WRONG IMPRESSION TO ANY DRIVERS BEHIND THIS CAR, AND LET THOSE DRIVERS MISUNDERSTAND THE TAIL LIGHTS TO BE THE BRAKE LIGHTS (EVEN THE 2 POLICE OFFICERS MISUNDERSTOOD IN THE 2 INCIDENTS). THIS WILL CAUSE COLLISION IN REALITY. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2013TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS CONSUMING PREMATURELY AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, THE WATER PUMP, AND THE MOTOR FAN REGULATOR; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 13, 201393,400 milesCT

WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN WE HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN AND HARD STOP AS A CAR ALMOST PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE MOVED BACK ABOUT THREE INCHES AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE WELL. THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A HORRENDOUS NOISE. WE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM THAT SUPPORTS THE TIRE WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT IT COLLAPSED AND BENT. WE WERE LUCKY WE WEREN'T IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT COST $426.00 TO BE REPAIRED. THE REPAIR SHOP GAVE ME THE DEFECTIVE PART SO I COULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AS THEY SAID THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. I CONTACTED LAND ROVER AND EMAILED THEM PICTURES OF THE PART. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T INVESTIGATE FURTHER WITHOUT HAVING THE CAR SHIPPED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT! I HAVE THE PART AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND IT TO THE NHTSA. I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER FREELANDERS OUT THERE BEING DRIVEN WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

Steering
Filed May 13, 2013CA

TO BEGIN, PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2002 AND CONSISTENT MAINTENANCE AT LAND ROVER DEALERSHIP SINCE PURCHASED. FIRST ISSUE IS THE ENGINE, SEEMS TO MAKE NOISE LIKE A DIESEL LOUD AND VIBRATES. TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS OK FOR OVER 2 YEARS THEN NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE HAS A LEAK, LEAKS WATER INTO THE ENGINE OIL AREA AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ONLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. STILL AN ISSUE. SECONDLY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES AFTER THE 2ND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS THE WAY THE CAR HANDLES. THIRD AND MOST IMPORTANT, THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTENANCED AT DEALERSHIP, NO ACCIDENTS. THE STEERING BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND WHEEL BEGAN TO MOVE AROUND QUITE SUDDENLY. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE BOLTS WITHIN THE STEERING PACK HAD SHEARED OFF AND WERE BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I STATED THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED, EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAS SINCE EXPIRED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT LAND ROVER KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS HOWEVER IT IS NOT THEIR ISSUE TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS. I WANT THESE PROBLEMS FIXED. I CARRY MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THIS CAR, HAVE KEPT IT MAINTENENCED CONSISTENTLY AND ALWAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP . THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR AND I WANT IT FIXED. I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM LAND ROVER THAT IT IS MY ISSUE AND NOT THEIRS, WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT ALL AROUND FOR BOTH THE STEERING PACK AND THE ENGINE ISSUES

Engine
Filed Mar 12, 201350,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE IGNITION COILS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND ANTIFREEZE HAD LEAKED INTO THE OIL AND A FLUSH WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 05/08/13*LJ THE CONSUMER INSIST THE CAMSHAFT WAS DAMAGED BYT THE SERVICE REPAIR TECHNICIAN. UPDATED 06/17/2013 *JS

Engine
Filed Mar 11, 201370,000 milesKS

THE YEAR IS ACCURATE,MONTH AND DATE ARE APPROXIMATIONS STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OVERHEATING AND COOLANT LEAKS. COOLANT WOULDN'T PUDDLE UNDER VEHICLE,THOUGH.BUT I COULD SMELL IT SOMETIMES WITH WINDOWS OPEN. THEN,ONE DAY IT WOULD NOT START. TOWED IT TO LAND ROVER DEALER AND OVER THE COURSE OF 3 DAYS,THEY COULDN'T START IT,EITHER. WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.PAID OUT $5800+.NOW,WITH 104,000 MILES,IT'S LOSING COOLANT,AGAIN. THEY CLAIMED THE OVER FLOW CONTAINER WAS LEAKING. HAD IT REPLACED. AND IT IS STILL LOSING COOLANT.IT IS NOT PUDDLING UNDER THE TRUCK.I SAW,ONLINE,WHERE THE FREELANDER HAS A POSSIBLE ENGINE DEFECT,WITH CYLINDER SLEEVES AND GASKET PROBLEMS.DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH LAND ROVER? OR, COULD THE LEMON LAW COME INTO EFFECT? I,ALSO,HAVE EXPERIENCED REAR WINDOW AND SUNROOF MOTOR FAILURES. I AM RETIRED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ANOTHER ENGINE ! THANK YOU. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 5, 2013101,000 milesTX

I PURCHASED THIS CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. TIME FOR INSPECTION AND CAR HAS MANY PROBLEMS LOOKED ON LINE AT COMPLAINTS AND I AM SICK TO SEE WHAT I AM IN FOR WITH THIS CAR. ITS IS SUCKING UP COOLANT,(BAD SIGN), HEAD GASKET ,OIL IN COOLANT, ENGINE FAILURE. WHY WAS I ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR? DO WE HAVE CONSUMER PROTECTION? I PURCHASE CAR FROM DEALER THAT SOLD 85% LAND ROVERS. DO YOU THINK THEY NEW WHAT I WAS IN FOR? YES!. YOU SHOULDN'T ALLOW CARS TO BE SOLD IN AMERICA IF THERE IS NO ACTUAL FIX FOR THE CAR. I READ THAT ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS BAD AS ORIGINAL. WILL SOMEONE BUY THIS CAR? I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE SHADY AND TELL SOMEONE THIS IS A GOOD CAR. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 17, 201249,807 milesRI

ON NOVEMBER 1ST MY WIFE AND I LEFT LA PROPER HEADED TOWARDS PHOENIX, AZ. WITH THE MILEAGE NOW AT 49,807 AND APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS OF DRIVING ON I 10 THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER, SO I DID MY BEST TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE WHICH WAS NEXT TO THE ON RAMP (VERY SCARY). I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK BECAUSE AFTER I LET IT REST A MINUTE OR TWO IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, NO SMOKE, THE COOLANT TANK WAS FULL, I CHECKED THE OIL DIPSTICK AND IT SEEMED FINE. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT CAME ON INSIDE THE AUTO TO SIGNAL THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, NO OVERHEATING ETC. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO COME BACK NEXT MORNING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE BLEW A GASKET AND WAS ADVISED DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WAS TO REPLACE IT. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $10,000.00! I ENDED UP SELLING IT FOR SALVAGE FOR $500 SINCE WE WERE TRAVELING SO FAR AWAY FROM HOME AND THE COST TO TOW IT TO RHODE ISLAND DIDN'T SEEM WORTH IT. SINCE THEN I HAVE CONTACTED LAND ROVER AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS. I ALSO HAVE HAD THE CHANCE SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE TO CHECK VIA INTERNET THAT THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THE 2002 FREELANDER. I FEEL THIS ENGINE SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2012103,000 milesOH

I BEGAN ACCELERATING ON A VIADOCK (BRIDGE) WHEN I FELT A SNAP UNDERNEATH ME, AS I REACHED THE PEAK OF THE BRIGDE, THE CAR STALLED OUT AND I BEGAN DESCENDING ON THE BRIDGE WITH MY 2 DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR. IT COMPLETELY STOPPED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO REACH THE BOTTOM OF THE BRIDGE, WHICH PUT ME IN HARMS WAY OF TRAFFIC COMING OVER THE HILL. I IMMEDIATELY HIT MY HAZARDS AND PRAYED EVERYONE WOULD SEE ME BEFORE REAR ENDING ME. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TOWED. THEN I FOUND OUT IT MY TIMING BELT BROKE; CAUSING MY ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. TOTAL COST TO FIX WILL BE $4000. I RESEARCHED THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. THE REVIEWS ON HOW LAND ROVER HAS BEEN HANDLING THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE ARE MIXED WITH SOME SAYING THEY RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY AND OTHERS SAYING THEY WOULD NOT EVEN RESPOND TO THEIR COMPLAINTS. I AM NERVOUS TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE MINE. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 14, 2012114,000 milesNM

I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT OPERATED WELL UNTIL APROX. 80,000 MI WHEN I WOULD GO THROUGH A RESERVOIR OF COOLANT EVERY 20 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WOULD KEEP IT FOR A WEEK, CHARGE ME $2,000 EACH TIME AND SAY THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I ADDRESSED THE PROBLEMS DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY RESPONDED THAT I SHOULD STOP BELIEVING EVERYTHING I READ ON LINE. ON APRIL 4, 2010 I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS FULL OF COOLANT. THE DEALER SAID THEY STILL COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME $800 FOR THE CAR. LAND ROVER HAS BEEN DEFENSIVE AND UNRESPONSIVE IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 12, 201290,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 3, 201295,235 milesUT

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AND THE ENGINE DIED. IT WOULDN'T RESTART AND AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES OF TRYING, IT STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, HE SAID IT HAD BLOWN THE HEAD GASKET, THEN THE PISTON ROD HAD COLLAPSED, SO THE ENGINE WAS VIRTUALLY RUINED. THE VEHICLE HAD 96,000 MILES ON IT. LAND ROVER PRODUCED THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES WITH FAULTY ENGINES(THE 2.5 V-6). I ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST LAND ROVER AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Aug 28, 20113,000 milesOR

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH MY 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER TYPE S OVERHEATING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON, WE HAVE REGULARLY TAKEN IT TO OUR LOCAL LAND ROVER DEALER TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. THE LATEST, NOW AUGUST 2011, THE COOLANT WAS FOUND TO BE LOW, AND A DISCUSSION WITH THE MECHANIC AND THE SHOP PERSON INDICATED THAT THEIR IS NO EXTERNAL LEAKS, AND THAT THE COOLANT MAY BE LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CYLINDERS/HEADS ARE MADE OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS, AND THAT A GAP MAY HAVE FORMED THERE CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE COOLANT CONTINUES TO LEAK WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE SIGNS OF EXTERNAL PROBLEMS, THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE DONE ALL OF THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF REPAIRS FOR THE COOLING - INCLUDING MULTIPLE THERMOSTATS(I BELIEVE WE ARE ON OUR FOURTH ONE, INCLUDING THE ONES UNDER WARRANTY, ETC. THE LATEST DIAGNOSIS IS COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND FOULING A CYLINDER. I REPEATED ASKED, SINCE WE WERE UNDER WARRANTY, IF WE HAD A LEMON AND HAVE NOW SEEN THOUSANDS OF POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM, WITH MODELS FROM 2000 TO 2005, THE YEARS THE CAR WAS AVAILABLE IN THE US. IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE NO VIABLE REPLACEMENT ENGINES AVAILABLE THAT DO NOT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM SINCE, THE VEHICLE WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2005. BASED ON THE INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED, IT APPEARS THAT THE ENGINE USED IN THIS VEHICLE WAS OF A FAULTY DESIGN, GIVEN THE FACT THAT A REPLACEMENT W

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 18, 2011159,000 milesNC

2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER INTAKE MOTORS. REPLACED BY OWNER APPROX 40K MILES AGO. I WAS IN A VERY BAD(UNRELATED) AUTO ACCIDENT 22 JULY. WHILE RELATIVES WERE AVAILABLE TO TAKE ME TO DOCTORS,ETC., I KNEW I ALSO HAD A TROUBLE LIGHT ON THE FREELANDER THAT HAD TO BE CLEARED FOR STATE INSPECTION. WHEN THEY TOOK IT TO LR OF CARY I HAD TO REPLACE YET AGAIN THE ENTIRE PLENUM ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF 2K TO OWNER. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT THE PARTS WHEN THEY RECEIVE THEM ARE SOMETIMES MALFUNCTIONING UPON RECEIPT. POSSIBLE ACCIDENT IN COLO CAUSED BY SEIZED INTAKE MOTORS(PER LR DEALER IN COLO) NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF FAULTY INTAKE MOTORS CAN BE EASILY FOUND ON LINE. *KB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 7, 201153,305 milesWA

A CAR MADE TO BREAK DOWN ON YOU. I BOUGHT A LANDROVER FREELANDER 2002 AND BARELY DROVE IT...IT HAD BEEN A LEASED VEHICLE AND WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF...HOWEVER...IT BROKE DOWN AS SOON AS I GOT IT. FIRST IT WAS A COOLANT PROBLEM, IT OVERHEATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK. I LIVE 5 MILES FROM WORK. THE FIRST YEAR I BOUGHT THE CAR I PUT LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON IT AND HAD ALREADY BROUGHT IT IN AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS. THE FIRST WAS THE COOLANT, AND THEN I BROUGHT IT IN A FEW TIMES SINCE IT CONSTANTLY HAD THIS FEELING AS IF THE BREAKS WERE BEING APPLIED. IT HAS A HILL DECENT BUTTON THAT WOULD COME ON AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL DID IT REGARDLESS. IT'S AS IF THE BREAKS WERE ON AND WERE STUCK. AND EVERY TIME I BROUGHT IT TO LANDROVER THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM....OF COURSE NOT. AND THEN I HAD IT IN THERE AND THEY SAID THEY HAD A BUNCH OF "STRANGE" CODES POP UP THEY HADN'T SEEN BEFORE SO THEY JUST "WIPED" THEM AS THE MAN SAID. ??? HE DIDN'T BOTHER TO FIGURE OUT WHY??? NOW...MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS SINCE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE BROKEN TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A TOTAL OF 55350 MILES ON IT..BOUGHT IT AT 43603 IN 2005. ALL I SEE ALL OVER THE INTERNET IS HOW THESE SAME PROBLEMS HAVE KEPT OCCURRING AND NO ONE WAS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE WORK AND MONEY THAT HAS TO GO INTO FOR FIXING THIS....IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT A COMPANY AS LARGE AS LANDROVER WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A CAR THAT WAS BOUND TO BREAK DOWN...AND N

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 22, 2011120,000 milesNJ

ENGINE FAILURE ON THE ROAD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 29, 2010IL

FREELANDER 2002 HAS HAD MANY DEFECTS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROX. 50K MILES & WAS REPLACED. POWER WINDOWS FAILED. A/C HOSE CRACKED & REPAIRED. MANIFOLD REPLACED. EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ELECTRICAL POWER TO PASSENGER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW, AT 70K MILES THE COOLANT LEAKING AND ENGINE KNOCKING. NOT WORTH REPLACING ENGINE AT THIS POINT. THIS CAR HAS COST MORE TO REPAIR THAN WHAT IS WAS WORTH. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS A LEMON & LAW SUIT AGAINST LAND ROVER. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 27, 201050,008 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND AS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE. SHE THEN NOTED A PROBLEM SHIFTING GEARS. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH AN F4 LIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,008.

20 of 226 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200516300Routine
200469310Routine
2003140560Routine
2002 — this page226340Above average
20013000Routine
20001000Routine

Compare every Freelander year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 9, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.