The 2002 Land Rover Freelander has 3 safety recalls and 226 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (128 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints226filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 4reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
NHTSA recall 07V041000 · Feb 9, 2007 · 33,247 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 › Latch
NHTSA recall 05V300000 · Jun 28, 2005 · 1,941 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 pillars
NHTSA recall 04V347000 · Jul 12, 2004 · 31,049 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2002 Land Rover Freelander
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Freelander
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system
128
0
2
3
61,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
88
0
0
0
59,000 mi
Visibility Power window devices and controls; Sun/moon roof assembly
34
0
1
0
45,500 mi
Electrical system Ignition › Switch; Wiring
27
1
2
2
36,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc › Pads
26
0
1
0
19,450 mi
Exterior lighting Brake lights; Headlights
16
0
0
0
50,327 mi
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 3, 2015 · 110,031 milesPower train 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
Dec 8, 2014Power train 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…
Jan 16, 2014 · 120,090 milesService brakes 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…
Aug 6, 2013Engine 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.
Jun 22, 2013 · 93,400 milesSteering 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…
Jan 1, 2010Steering 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…
Feb 17, 2013 · 50,000 milesEngine 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
May 10, 2007 · 70,000 milesEngine 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA05016 · opened Oct 14, 2005 · closed Feb 22, 2007 · led to recall 07V041000BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE ON JUNE 16, 2005, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-034) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STOP LAMP (BRAKE) SWITCH FAILURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SERIES II VEHICLES.ON OCTOBER 14, 2005, THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND THE SCOPE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER VEHICLES THAT USE A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR SELF-ADJUSTING STOP LAMP SWITCH FURNISHED BY THE SAME SUPPLIER, METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA, LTD. (METHODE).IN SEPTEMBER 2003, METHODE MOVED THE PRODUCTION OF AN INTERNAL SWITCH COMPONENT, KNOWN AS THE SLIDER MECHANISM, FROM A VALIDATED PLASTIC INJECTION-MOLDING TOOL (?CAVITY 1?) TO ANOTHER TOOL (?CAVITY 2?) THAT HAD NOT BEEN USED BEFORE TO PRODUCE PARTS FOR LAND ROVER.SLIDERS FROM CAVITY 2 MAY BE CHARACTERIZED BY POOR FILL, LACK OF DEFINITION IN THE SLIDER TEETH AND…