Model year record

2003 Land Rover Freelander recalls & problems

The 2003 Land Rover Freelander has 5 safety recalls and 140 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (98 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints140filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 6reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingFeb 9, 2007

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 07V04100033,247 vehiclesopened 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/linkagesJun 28, 2005

Doors › Latch

Recall 05V3000001,941 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.

StructureOct 7, 2004

Frame and members

Recall 04V4890004 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AN INCORRECT WELD NUT WAS INSTALLED. LACK OF THIS BOLT COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE SUBFRAME TO CRACK OR BECOME DEFORMED.
Risk: A CRACKED OR DEFORMED SUBFRAME COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO INSTABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE SUBFRAME FIXING IS CORRECTLY FITTED AND CLAMPED UP. IF NECESSARY, THE SUBFRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS CORRECT WELD NUTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

StructureJul 12, 2004

Body › Roof and pillars

Recall 04V34700031,049 vehiclesopened 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.

Latches/locks/linkagesMay 5, 2004

Doors › Latch

Recall 04V2070003,194 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CHILD DOOR LOCK ON THE LEFT HAND REAR DOOR CAN BECOME DISENGAGED.
Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO A CHILD BEING ABLE TO OPEN A REAR DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND REAR LATCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 4, 2004. 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

2003 Land Rover Roverover Freelander

OverallNot 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 3 Door

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Freelander 5 Door

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/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	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	98	0	5	65,000 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition	28	0	0	34,928 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	28	1	0	63,659 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Driveshaft	27	1	2	66,500 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Rear window wiper/washer	13	0	1	83,803 mi
Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch	10	0	0	76,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	10	0	0	18,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments	5	0	0	62,000 mi
Fuel system, otherDelivery › Fuel pump	3	0	0	60,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	3	0	0	73,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module	3	0	0	82,607 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	0	0	31,336 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN 2003 FROM LAND ROVER, BRAND NEW. DEALT WITH A FEW RECALLS AND OTHER ISSUES ( SUN ROOF WAS OFF TRACK, DID NOT WORK. LEATHER SEATS HAD DEFORMATIONS ON SEATS. TRUCK NEED AN ACID WASH FOR SPOTS THAT DEVELOPED ON BUMPER) SOON MY ENGINE AND COOLANT ISSUES OCCURRED. WHY DRIVING ID NOTICE MY TRUCK START TO OVERHEAT. THIS WAS EVEN AFTER BEING SERVICED AT LAND ROVER. COME TO FIND OUT MY COOLANT WAS LEAKING. THE ISSUE CONTINUED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO GET NEW EXTERNAL PARTS ( THERMOSTAT, WATER PIPE, EXPANSION TANK) THIS HELPED BUT NOT FOR LONG. MY TRUCK CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT AND LEAK, O THE POINT I HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AND THE TIMING BELT.. I ACCUMULATED…
Aug 1, 2011
Service brakes
NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OUTSTANDING WARRANTS, TICKETS, COMPLAINTS ETC.
Apr 4, 2016
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HILL DESCENT CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE HAD A STRONG HESITATION AND STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V041000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA05016 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE…
Mar 1, 2016
Electrical system
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
Nov 20, 2015
Engine
1.COOLANT SYSTEM:STRONG ANTIFREEZE ODOR IN VEHICLE CABIN - REPLACED COOLANT RESERVOIR;REPLACED COOLANT RESERVOIR CAP; THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILURE; REPLACED ALL COOLANT LINES AND HOSES AS PREVENTATIVE MEASURE; HEATER CORE FAILURE - LEAKED ANTI FREEZE INTO HEATER CHAMBER 2.TRANSMISSION SYSTEM (1 OF 3): CODE F4 APPEARED ON ODOMETER; HILL DECENT FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED; TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED; BRAKE ANTI BLOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATED; TRANSMISSION (WHILE IN AUTOMATIC D) WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT PAST 2. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT BEYOND 3; MANUALLY SHIFTING DOWN TO 1, TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES HARSH SHIFTING ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING SOUND SHIFTING FROM 1 TO 2; WILL NOT MANUALLY SHIFT BEYOND…
Nov 5, 2015 · 62,000 miles
Engine
ORIGINAL OWNER OF LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2003. AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. AT THE TIME, THE CAR WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO MOST OF THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED. NOW, AT APPROXIMATELY 86,000 MILES, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" HAS AGAIN APPEARED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LAND ROVER REPAIR FACILITY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR REQUIRES A NEW MANIFOLD INTAKE VALVE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS AROUND $3,000. AT THIS POINT, I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH LAND ROVER AND WILL NEVER EVER BUY OR RECOMMEND A LAND ROVER VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A MAJOR HEADACHE. *TR
Aug 30, 2013 · 86,000 miles
Structure › Body
1.COOLANT SYSTEM:STRONG ANTIFREEZE ODOR IN VEHICLE CABIN - REPLACED COOLANT RESERVOIR;REPLACED COOLANT RESERVOIR CAP; THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILURE; REPLACED ALL COOLANT LINES AND HOSES AS PREVENTATIVE MEASURE; HEATER CORE FAILURE - LEAKED ANTI FREEZE INTO HEATER CHAMBER 2.TRANSMISSION SYSTEM (1 OF 3): CODE F4 APPEARED ON ODOMETER; HILL DECENT FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED; TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED; BRAKE ANTI BLOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATED; TRANSMISSION (WHILE IN AUTOMATIC D) WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT PAST 2. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT BEYOND 3; MANUALLY SHIFTING DOWN TO 1, TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES HARSH SHIFTING ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING SOUND SHIFTING FROM 1 TO 2; WILL NOT MANUALLY SHIFT BEYOND…
Nov 10, 2003 · 350 miles
Electrical system
F-4 FLASHING ON THE ODOMETER, BOTH CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON, AND THE HILL DESCENT/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON. VEHICLE QUICKLY DROPPED POWER TO NO POWER. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, SOMETHING WITH THE THROTTLE WAS REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME. THEN THE HARNESS WAS REPAIRED AND TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. MECHANICAL PROBLEMS CONTINUE NOW GOING ON THE 4TH TRIP TO THE AUTO MECHANIC SHOP. THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT. MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE DONE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT ANY SITUATION. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER LANDROVER IN ANY MODEL AND WILL…
Feb 16, 2012 · 77,000 miles

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

FUEL PUMP FAILURE - STALLClosed
SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES FOUND THAT CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND GENERALLY RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, THESE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW RATES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION WHEN COMPARED WITH PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF ENGINE STALL CONSEQUENCES.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION.
EA07018 · opened Dec 7, 2007 · closed Dec 22, 2008
FUEL PUMP FAILUREClosed
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE07-036 ON JULY 17, 2007, BASED ON THREE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER VEHICLES.IN EACH INCIDENT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIRS. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, FORD PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINT INFORMATION, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 9,985 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 48 MONTHS OR 50,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.FORD CATEGORIZED THE DATA BY ENGINE STALLS THAT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STALLS WITH AN UNKNOWN DRIVING CONDITION, NO START CONDITIONS AND OTHER DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS. ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED A 6.7%…
PE07036 · opened Jul 17, 2007 · closed Dec 10, 2007
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILUREClosedLed to recall 07V041000
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…
EA05016 · opened Oct 14, 2005 · closed Feb 22, 2007