2003 Land Rover Freelander Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING. THERE WAS NO FIRE OR SMOKE, BUT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HOT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURE OR A LEAK. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY PLACE COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT IT FROM OVERHEATING. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE FAILURE BEGAN, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS ENGINE DAMAGE, WHICH COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN THE WATER PUMP LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE ONLY SOLUTION WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

"SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT ON/OFF SINCE 3 MONTHS OF 14 MILE CAR PURCHASED. IT OCCURS ON AND OFF EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. CONSEQUENCES ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL CAN HAVE SOME MAJOR AFFECT ON THE ENGINE IF NOT FIXED AND CAN CAUSE CAR ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEALERSHIP JUST TURNS OFF THE LIGHT TO GET RID OF THE ISSUE AND CLAIM ANYTHING CAN TRIGGER THE LIGHT TO BE LIT. *TR

2003 FREELANDER WITH 76K MILES BEGAN HAVING COOLING SYSTEM LEAKS IMMED. AFTER NEW FUEL PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONING FAN. I FILLED THE SYSTEM, RAN THE CAR FOR 30 MINUTES IN THE DRIVEWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT, AND TOLD MY WIFE THE CAR NEEDED TO R/T TO THE DEALER.(VENTURA) MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS WERE ABRUPTLY GREETED WITH AN EXPLOSION OF THE COOLING SYSTEM LEAVING THEM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN A LEFT-HAND TURN LANE. THE CAR SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A TOW TO THE DEALER ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON THEY WERE INVITED TO LOOK AT NEW MODELS WHILE THEY WAITED FOR A TAXI TO TAKE THEM FOR A RENTAL. MY FIRST REPORT FROM THE DEALER REP. WAS THAT WE PROBABLY NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF 12K SO WE MIGHT CONSIDER TRADING IT IN FOR A NEW MODEL. I MUST ADD THAT AFTER THE FUEL PUMP AND FAN REPAIR I FOUND THE AIR INTAKE DISCONNECTED AND TOLD THE REP. ABOUT THIS DURING MY VISIT TO HIM REGARDING THIS NEW ISSUE AND HIS RESPONSE WAS "I DON'T SEE HOW BECAUSE THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO LIFT THE HOOD TO MAKE THOSE REPAIRS." AFTER THREE DAYS OF INVESTIGATION WE WERE TOLD OUR THERMOSTAT AND HOUSING WERE REPLACED FOR $600 BUT WE NEEDED TIMING BELTS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOW BE HEARD SLAPPING. I AM FAIRLY MECHANICALLY KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND ALL OF THESE EVENTS POINT STRAIGHT TO POOR PRODUCT AND INEPT SERVICE. COINCIDENTALLY, I ALSO FOUND A RUBBER TUBE ABOUT 4" LONG SITTING ON TOP OF MY ENGINE AFTER JUST COMING FROM THE MECHANIC'S BAY. I HAVE SINCE TRADED THE CAR IN FOR ANOTHER BRAND AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER LAND ROVER ANYTHING EVER AGAIN! *TR

HEAD GASKET AND ENGINE PROBLEM. CAR STARTED OFF HAVING COOLANT LEAK AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND IS NOW INOPERABLE. IT HAS BEEN INOPERABLE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FORUMS THAT DESCRIBE THIS SAME ISSUE SO IT IS WELL KNOWN WITHIN THE LR ORGANIZATION. I DO NOT HAVE $3500 TO REPLACE MY ENGINE NOR COVER THE ADDITIONAL $3K FOR LABOR TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. SINCE LR KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURED THIS DEFECTIVE ENGINE (MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM AND IRON CAST WHICH ARE NOT COMPATIBLE), THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR REPLACING THIS ENGINE. *TR

FUEL PUMP FAILURE CAR TOW TO BE REPAIRED, ENGINE EXHAUST LEAKS, NUMEROUS COOLANT LEAKS ALWAYS SOMETHING HIGH COST TO REPAIR PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT. *TR

CAR IS CONSTANTLY OVER HEATING WITH ONLY 68,000 MILES. TWO DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IT LOSES ALL POWER. TURNS OUT THERE'S A FUEL PUMP ISSUE. *TR

INCIDENT: ENGINE FAILURE/ENGINE BLOCK LEAK IN 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER SE3. *TR

PURCHASED PRE-OWNED 2003 LANDROVER FREELANDER MAY 07 AND TWO WEEKS LATER CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID COMPUTER SHOWED UP NOTHING. TWO WEEKS LATER LIGHT CAME ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS. WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED COIL WIRE. TWO WEEKS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED COIL PACK. HAPPENED AGAIN TWO MONTHS LATER AND LOCAL MECHANIC CHANGED HEAD UNDER THE COIL PACK AND CAR RAN GOOD. ONE MONTH LATER THE CAR RAN HOT, WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED "SOMETHING" (THE GUY I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM TOOK CARE OF THE BILL) FAST FORWARD AHEAD 5 MONTHS AND THE VALVES STARTED CLICKING. OIL WAS CHANGED AND LUCAS OIL ADDED. CAR RAN FINE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AND THEN MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER (WHOM THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR) GOT IN IT FROM HER SUMMER JOB FROM THE LOCAL BALL STADIUM AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND HE TELLS ME THAT ONE OF THE TIMING BELTS BROKE AND WARPED THE CAMS AND A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. HE SAID HE HAD ALL KINDS OF REPORTS STATED THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THEY TELL ME IT WILL COST 3-7 THOUSAND TO REPAIR AND I WILL STILL BE GETTING A USED "DEFECTIVE" ENGINE AND WILL BE FACING THE SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. *TR 2/21/10 2003 UPDATED 04/14/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE DEALER HAS NEVER REPAIRED THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF AND GET TOWED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST SEVENTEEN TIMES FOR THE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SMELLED AS IF SOMETHING WERE BURNING. A COUPLE OF TIMES AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR THE RESERVOIR BOILING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BENEATH THE ENGINE LIKE STEAM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST NINE TIMES REGARDING THE THERMOSTAT AND HEATING CORE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST ELEVEN TIMES FOR THE WINDOW MOTORS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER AFTER SHUTTING OFF AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,379.

DRIVING ON FREEWAY 65 MILES AN HOUR IN THE LEFT LANE ATTEMPTING TO PASS A CAR. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR CONTINUED TO LOSE SPEED. HAD TO MANEUVER MY WAY TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FREEWAY CROSSING 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED THE COST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE WAS MORE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 60,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS MIGHT OCCUR. *TR

2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER HAD FUEL PUMP FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DIE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *NJ

MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER HSE. IT DIDN'T START ONE MORNING AND SHE NOTICED FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE FLUID WAS GASOLINE. I HAD HER CRANK THE ENGINE FOR A SECOND WHILE I HAD THE HOOD OPEN AND THERE WAS GASOLINE SQUIRTING OUT OF THE FUEL LINE JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE LINE BACK TOGETHER AND IT CLICKED TWICE BUT SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER INSTANCES OF THE FUEL LINE COMING APART. CLEARLY IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS HOT AND SHE WAS DRIVING, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR

I GOT A LAND ROVER FREELANDER WITH 51,996 MILES ON IT. I HAD IT IN THE SHOP OVER 25 TIME IN 10 MONTHS! ALL FOR THE SAME REASON. THE ENGINE STOPPED ON ME GOING 30MPH AND I FOUND OUT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN FOR THE SAME REASON I HAD IT FIXED FOR THE LAST 25 TIMES. *TR

MY LR FREELANDER 2003, HAS AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM, THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN AND IS IN NEED OF REPAIR. THERE ARE NOW MECHANICS THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM EXCEPT FOR THE LAND ROVER DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THE WORK. THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE HEADS IN THIS VEHICLE KNOW BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSE TO MAKE THIS A RECALL TO THE CONSUMERS AND THEY HAVE STOPPED MAKING THIS ENGINE. I NEED THIS REPAIR DONE SO I MAY AT LEAST TRADE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A NEW VEHICLE. *TR

MY 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT TO SCOTT MOTORS OF RENO (THE LAND ROVER DEALER IN RENO), FOUND OUT THAT IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH FIDELITY WARRANTY, THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR IT, SAYING THAT THERE IS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE GIVEN THEM MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS, THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED REGULARLY. LAND ROVER OF RENO HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 5 MONTHS WHILE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET SOMEONE TO HONOR MY WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM INTERNET AUTO OF RENO THEY ARE WILLING TO REIMBURSE ME FOR MY WARRANTY OF $2540. THE COST TO FIX REPLACE THE ENGINE IS $7250, FOR THE SAME ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND STILL OWE MORE ON IT THAN IT IS WORTH. SO FAR NO ONE IS WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS AS MUCH AS THE CAR IS WORTH, LAND ROVE KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND FIDELITY WARRANTY IS NOT HONORING THEIR CONTRACT. *TR

LIKE ALL OTHER 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDERS IT SEEMS, MINE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, PISTON SLEEVE PROBLEMS, AND A POTENTIALLY CRACKED HEAD BLOCK, AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE AND ITS ENGINE IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ALMOST EVERYONE WHO HAS OWNED ONE. *TR

LAND ROVER FREELANDER: THE VEHICLE IS A TIME BOMB, AT SOME POINT EARLY IN THE VEHICLES LIFE IT WILL DIE ON YOU WHILE DRIVING....YOU THEN HAVE A VERY SHORT TIME TO GET OF THE ROAD BEFORE IT LOCKS UP. IT THEN BECOMES A MONEY PIT!!! *TR

03 LAND ROVER FREE LANDER. 85K MILES ENGINE DIED WITH NO EXPLANATION. TOWED TO LAND ROVER DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EXCEPT PUT ME ON A WAITING LIST FOR A NEW ENGINE THAT WOULD COST OVER $8000 TO FIX AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT I WOULD EVEN GET AN ENGINE AT ALL. THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS AND I STILL HAVE A LOAN TO PAY OFF. I AM IN SHOCK OVER THE FACT THAT I NO LONGER HAVE A VEHICLE AND LAND ROVER COULD NOT CARE LESS! AFTER READING ON AND ON ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH EVERY OTHER OWNER IT APPEARS TO ME THAT LAND ROVER SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR SELLING SUCH A VEHICLE! WE AS THE CONSUMERS SHOULD ALSO BE COMPENSATED OR JUSTIFIED FOR SUCH A LOSS AFTER PUTTING FAITH INTO A WELL KNOWN "HIGH END" COMPANY. I AM WILLING TO BE A PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WILLING TO BRING LAND ROVER TO JUSTICE. *TR

I HAVE 78K ON MY '03 LAND ROVER FREELANDER AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT WITH THE F-4 FLASHING ON THE ODOMETER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND THE HILL DESCENT/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHICH I HAVE THE WARRANTY THROUGH, AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $3300, AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY WON'T COVER IT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE THE END OF FEB '08 AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT BACK, NOR DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO ON IT. AS FAR AS EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT, THERE WAS NO WARNINGS. IT WAS RUNNING FINE ON THE DAY PRIOR, BUT THEN THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND THE ALL THE LIGHTS AND CODES OCCURRED. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING, BRAKE SWITCH WAS RECALLED & THEN THE RECALL WAS RECALLED. RESULTING IN NO BRAKE LIGHTS AT ALL. *TR

I TOOK MY CAR TO TUFFY SERVICE CENTER ON 02/16/2008 TO HAVE MY CAR SERVICED FOR A TIMING BELT. AFTER THEY CHANGED THE BELT AND PUT EVERYTHING BACK . THE ODOMETER SWITCHED FROM MILEAGE TO KILOMETERS. WHEN TALKING TO DEALERSHIPS, THEY MENTION THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT IS COMMON. IF IT IS COMMON WHY THEY DO NOT RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING HEAVILY UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COOLANT WAS MIXING WITH THE ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE MODEL IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD ORDER THE ENGINE, BUT THERE IS A LONG WAITING LIST AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD ARRIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,000. UPDATED 05/19/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/19/08

FLAPPING SOUND CONSTANTLY COMING FROM ENGINE THAT REQUIRES COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO REPAIR. TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING ,SHIFTING HARD AND VIBRATING HEAVILY UNDER ACCELERATION. TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE GONE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN PASSENGER , BEHIND DRIVER'S DOOR AND REAR CARGO AREAS. *TR

OUR LR FIRST STARTED OVERHEATING, TAKING ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO COOL DOWN AND WHEN CHECKED THE COOLANT WOULD BE EMPTY. I WAS THEN CONSTANTLY HAVING TO FILL IT WITH COOLANT. I HAD IT IN TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WHEN AFTER THE SECOND TIME THEY APPARENTLY FIXED IT SO WELL THEY CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND THAT CAUSED THE TRACTION CONTROL TO GO OUT AND THEN THEY SAID THAT WAS BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS NOW GONE. ALTHOUGH WE DID ACTUALLY DRIVE IT INTO CARMAX WHO THEN DROVE IT TO LAND ROVER. LAND ROVER SAID THE ENGINE WAS SHOT AND WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. OUR FREELANDER SAT FOR 9 MONTHS WITH NO NEW ENGINE IN SIGHT. ALTHOUGH, WARRANTY MONEY WAS WAITING TO PAY FOR IT. LAND ROVER TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS AND KEPT TELLING US AND CARMAX THAT AN ENGINE WAS BEING RECONFIGURED AND WOULD ARRIVE IN MARCH, NO JULY, THEN DON'T KNOW WHEN. FINALLY CARMAX PAID THE FREELANDER OFF FOR US AND WE BOUGHT SOMETHING ELSE. LAND ROVER HAD ALSO TAKEN THE OLD ENGINE OR THE COMPLETE GUTS OF THE VEHICLE AND LAID THE BACK SEATS DOWN AND THREW THE GUTS IN THE PASSENGER PART OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE CAR SITTING UNLOCKED ON THEIR LOT FOR I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG. WE FOUND IT THIS WAY ON A VERY HOT SUMMER DAY. LAND ROVER DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP THIS SITUATION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS THE FATE FOR ALL FREELANDERS NOT JUST MINE. *TR

(1) 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER WAS RUNNING ROUGH SUDDENLY. IT THEN STALLED WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER 3 HOURS OF WAITING FOR FLATBED TRUCK FROM AAA ROAD SERVICE, VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO LOCAL LAND ROVER DEALER. (2) A FAILED FUEL PUMP WAS DISCOVERED. (3) IT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEREFORE VERY COSTLY FOR ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 55 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. HAD MY 2003 FREELANDER TOWED TO THE LOCAL GARAGE WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT (48 MONTH / 50,000 MILE). *TR

2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER HSE, HEAD GASKET FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY AUTO TECHNICIAN AT DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER REPORTED SMELL OF BURNT COOLANT AND VISIBLE RADIATOR COOLANT IN THE ENGINE-OIL. TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THIS IS PROBLEM IS ENGINE DEFECT IN HEAD GASKET STRESS BOLTS AND LOCATION OF THERMOSTAT. ENGINE OVERHEATS AND OIL IN RADIATOR SYSTEM DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. VEHICLE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL, OVERHEATED DUE TO NO HEAD GASKET/CANNOT BE FIXED. MECHANIC JUST ADVISED ME TO TRY AND TRADE IT IN WHEN I PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE, AS MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED MODEL AND ALSO ENGINE, NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOR IS PRODUCT REPAIRABLE (ENGINE & VEHICLE DISCONTINUED , MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO HELP IN ANY WAY). *TR

'03 LAND ROVER FREELANDER S - FALL '07 - LOSING COOLANT AND VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND THE HEATER CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF. $600 W/ PARTS AND LABOR. WINTER '07 -TOOK TO ROVER DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT B/C IT JUST WASN'T RUNNING WELL. IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND WOULD OFTEN NOT START ON FIRST FEW TRIES. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD, A FEW CONNECTOR COMPONENTS AND A NEW TIMING BELT - TOTAL OF OVER $2000 WITH PARTS AND LABOR. ELECTED TO HAVE MY FATHER DO THE WORK AND HE ORDERED THE PARTS ONLINE AND INSTALLED HIMSELF TAKING MANY HOURS TO FIGURE IT OUT. HIS COST WAS ABOUT $900 AND HE OPTED NOT TO CHANGE THE TIMING BELT. *TR

OWN A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER SE, VEHICLE LOOSES COOLANT INTO ENGINE THEN OVER HEATS. HAD HEAD GASKETS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,700.00. VEHICLE STILL LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE. I DID SOME INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER FOUND A CHAT ROOM ON EDMUNDS.COM IT SEEMS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE CAUSE OF THE COOLANT LEAK IS A POOR DESIGN OF THE ENGINE. IT SEEMS THAT THE CYLINDER SLEEVE SHIFTS INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THE COOLANT BURNS INTERNALLY. LAND ROVER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE ENGINE. *TR

2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER CAR WAS RUNNING BUT SPUTTERED THEN ENGINE STOPPED. FUEL PUMP FAILED. 43,000 TOTAL MILES. 3 MONTHS PAST WARRANTY PERIOD END. EXHIBITED IMPENDING FAILURE SIGNS (HARD STARTING) BUT HAD NOT QUIT AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AS A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM ON PREVIOUS DEALERSHIP VISITS. CAR WOULD NOT START AFTERWARDS. FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY LR DEALER. CAR RUNS NORMALLY NOW. *TR

ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING, TOOK IT TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED HOSES AND CHECKED SEALS, ETC.. PROBLEM CONTINUED. NOW IT IS IN THE DEALERS SHOP BECAUSE IT BEGAN SPEWING SMOKE AND LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. IT APPEARS TO BE END OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM. *TR

NUMEROUS LARGE REPAIRS NEEDED FOR A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER, CURRENT MILEAGE APPROX 79,000 INCLUDING: NEW ENGINE OCT 2007, NEW RADIATOR JUNE 2007, NEW FUEL PUMP MAY 2007, NEW THERMOSTAT APRIL 2007, INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAULT SEPTEMBER 2006, COOLING SYSTEM SEPTEMBER 2006, BROKEN SWAY BAR APRIL 2006, RIGHT REAR WINDOW REPLACED FEBRUARY 2006, CHILD SAFETY LOCK RECALL NOVEMBER 2005, BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE NOVEMBER 2005, HEATER CORE LEAKING COOLANT NOVEMBER 2005, COOLANT BOTTLE REPLACED NOVEMBER 2005, DRIVER DOOR REPLACED DECEMBER 2004, WINDSHIELD WASHER BROKEN DECEMBER 2004. *TR

LAND ROVER DECEIVED, DEFRAUDED, AND CONTINUES TO VICTIMIZE ME - AN OWNER OF A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. LAND ROVER DIAGNOSED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE CAR THEY SOLD TO ME - THE 2003 FREELANDER HAS SIGNIFICANT ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE AND OTHER KEY OPERATING UNITS - COOLANT AND OIL SYSTEMS, BRAKES, ETC. THE DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE IN THE 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER ULTIMATELY RENDERS THE CAR INOPERABLE AND RESULTS IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. LAND ROVER REFUSES TO RECALL THIS CAR OFF THE US HIGHWAYS, AND DISCLOSE THE ENGINE'S DEFECT TO ALL 2003 FREELANDER OWNERS. LAND ROVER ADVISED THAT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MY CAR FAILS COMPLETELY, AND I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THIS CAR. IT IS NOW PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED BY LAND ROVER NUMEROUS TIMES (RELATED TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE, COOLANT AND OIL SYSTEMS, BRAKES, ETC.) SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. LAND ROVER IS AND WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THE 2003 FREELANDER'S ENGINE, BUT FAILED TO DISCLOSE IT TO ME. LAND ROVER HAS DISCONTINUED MANUFACTURING THE FREELANDER MODELS, THEREFORE, NOT ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE WITH A NEW ONE AS THEY STATE WHEN YOU CONTACT THE HEADQUARTERS. I LAST TOOK THE CAR TO LAND ROVER PARSIPPANY IN OCTOBER 2007 WHERE IT STAYED FOR APPROXIMATELY 7 WEEKS. LAND ROVER PARSIPPANY FURTHER TAMPERED WITH THE CAR (IT WAS MAKING CRANKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WHEN I PICKED IT UP IN JANUARY - THIS NOISE WAS NOT THERE WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO LAND ROVER IN OCTOBER - AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS), AND ORDERED ME TO PICK IT UP FROM THEIR LOT AFTER THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR AND MAKE ME WHOLE. I HAVE BEEN MISTREATED, AND LIED TO BY LAND ROVER REPRESENTATIVES THUS CAUSING ME A LOT OF FINANCIAL LOSS, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. I DO NOT HAVE THE USE OF MY 2003 FREELANDER, BUT STILL MAKE PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. I STRUGGLE EVERY DAY TO GET AROUND SINCE JANUARY 2008. *TR

(1) ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL DIMINISHING; COOLANT BOTTLE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES HEATER CORE ALSO REPLACED (2) ENGINE NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (3) LAND ROVER DENIES ACCOUNTABILITY AND STATES THEY WILL PROVIDE ENGINE WITH LABOR COST BEING EXTENDED TO ME! *TR

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE ON 10/13/2007 AT JUST OVER 34,000 MILES. TWO WEEKS PRIOR CAR WAS SERVICED DUE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON/CAR OVERHEATING. SERVICE DEPT. CLAIMED DUE TO FLUID LEAKAGE AND CLAIMED IT WAS REPAIRED. EVEN THOUGH CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY LAND ROVER HAS DECLINED TO COVER ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THEY WANT ME TO PAY THEM OVER $6400 TO REPLACE ENGINE. *JB

2003 LANDROVER FREELANDER ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TR

A SENSOR SHUT DOWN THE MOTOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-55. IT REQUIRED ME TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. (THIS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2006.) LAST MONTH, THE WATER RESEVOIR IN THE ENGINE BUSTED (DESPITE DUTIFUL MAINTENANCE) REQUIRING A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE TO BE INSTALLED. THE RADIO HAS ALSO MALFUNCTIONED TWICE, BEING REPLACED LAST TIME. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN EITHER CASE, BUT IT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN DEATHS WHEN THE VEHICLE QUIT IN 70 MILE PER HOUR TRAFFIC! *TR

ENGINE COOLANT DISAPPEARING INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBER(S), ENGINE OVERHEATING, DUE TO ENGINE SLEEVE. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT ENGINE, EITHER NEW OR REMANUFACTURED. *TR PROBLEM: THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT ENGINES, ANYWHERE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE LR DEALERSHIP SINCE 9/27/07. FIRST ESTIMATE WAS REPAIR BY 10/5. THEN IT BECAME 10/22. NOW I'M TOLD IT MIGHT BE MONTHS BEFORE A REPLACEMENT ENGINE IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS AN INTOLERABLE SITUATION WHICH LAND ROVER PRETENDS DOES NOT EXIST. IT IS AFFECTING OWNERS OF THIS MODEL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND CANADA, WHICH IS PART OF THE REASON THE ENGINES ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY. THE OTHER PART IS BECAUSE LAND ROVER MADE A HUGE MISTAKE BY SELLING THE ENGINE TO A CHINESE MFG. COMPANY AND NOW CAN'T MEET DEMANDS FOR REPLACING WHAT IS REALLY A POOR DESIGN WITH A NEW POORLY DESIGNED ENGINE. IN MY OPINION, LAND ROVER SHOULD BE BUYING THESE FAILED VEHICLES BACK IF THEY CAN'T BE REPAIRED. THESE ARE NOT OLD VEHICLES, AND THE OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED BY LAND ROVER.

1. IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. REPAIR COVERED BY WARRANTY. NOTE THE REPAIRS DID NOT FIX THE WATER LOSS PROBLEM. LAST REPAIR 52,000 MILES 2. 9-23-07 ENGINE FAILS WITHOUT WARNING ON I-77. 56,000 MILES NOW OUT OF WARRANTY 3. CAR TOWED 260 MILES TO LAND ROVER DAYTON. TOLD ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,000. *JB

LANDROVER FREELANDER ONGOING REPAIRS. 1) BAD PASSENGER WINDOW ACTUATOR. 2) BAD FUEL PUMP 3) BAD IGNITION/STARTER. 4) TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LANDROVER FREELANDER. THE DOOR LOCKS ARE BROKEN, THEY WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY OR MANUALLY. THE ONLY DOOR THAT OPENS WITH THE KEY, AND MANUALLY IS THE DRIVERS FRONT DOOR. THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD, OR ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THE WINDOWS ARE OPERATING NORMAL. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,700.

2000 LANDROVER FREELANDER - TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 57K MILES. TRANSMISSION COST ME 1150 DOLLARS TO FIX. \ THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 100 MILES. THAT COST ME 1050 DOLLARS. THIS CAR WAS JUNK. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED IT. BUT I CAN'T PROVE THE CAR WAS AT FAULT, BUT I'LL BET IT WAS. *TR

1) DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH, MY ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND I LOST ALL POWER EXCEPT BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO AND ALLOW MY CAR TO REST, AND LATER DROVE MY CAR TO THE LAND ROVER DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF "THE COOLANT GASKET WAS CRACKED/BROKE" AND HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. 2) I WAS HAVING MY CAR FIXED FOR RANDOM FAILURE OF WINDOW MOTOR AND SUNROOF, I WAS TOLD THAT THE THE CARRIER BEARINGS/SUPPORT BEARINGS THAT THE DRIVESHAFT GOES THROUGH ARE BAD, YET THIS REPAIR IS COVERED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PLACE WHERE THE SHAFT COMES APART IS RUSTED AND CORRODED WHICH IS A $3200 DOLLAR REPAIR. THE WARRANTIED PART (DRIVESHAFT) IS $429, AND THE CORRODED PIECE + LABOR WAS $3160. 3) WHILE GETTING A SMOG CHECK IN CALIFORNIA, I HAD ERROR CODES INDICATING "ENGINE MISFIRE" AND "FUEL INJECTION ERROR" AND MY CAR DID NOT PASS, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO SERVICE/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE CAR DROVE "FINE" WITH FINE MEANING A GRINDING NOISE OF MY DRIVETRAIN AND KNOCK WHEN GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. LAND ROVER SAID THAT INSIDE THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD CHAMBER, THE ACTUATOR FLAP IS STUCK -A DEFECT KNOWN TO LAND ROVER BUT NOT COVERED SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS REPAIR WAS $2000 4) WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 65K MILES, AND ALL GAUGES SHUT DOWN. RPM, FUEL, MPH, AND TEMPERATURE ALL FELL TO READ 0, EMPTY, 130+, AND 0 DEGREES RESPECTFULLY. I EMERGENTLY PULLED TO SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FEARING THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED BUT EVERYTHING WAS "FINE." I THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AFTER 30 MINUTES AND SAW ALL GAUGES AGAIN FUNCTIONAL EXCEPT SPEED. PLEASE LOOK AT THE INTERNET, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE DIED OR WAS INJURED IN ANY OF THESE 4 INCIDENTS. I NEVER FEEL SAFE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS ANYMORE.

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2002 LANDROVER FREELANDER (PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2003) AT 56K. TWO FAULTY VIS MOTORS FOUND, BLOWN LEFT SPEAKER CONE, FAILED FUEL SENDER, FAULTY HEATER FAN, BROKEN WINDOW DRIVE BRACKET. TOTAL REPAIR COST $6000. NO HELP FROM DEALER, NO HELP FROM LANDROVER. CAR FINALLY UNLOADED IN PART EXCHANGE FOR $1,250 JUST TO GET RID OF IT AFTER READING OTHER POSTS ON THIS SITE. *TR

FUEL PUMP DIED AT 56000 MILES ON A LANDROVER FREELANDER 2003 WITHOUT ANY WARNING. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED 28 MILES TO NEAREST DEALER TO HAVE PUMP REPLACED. *AK

ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED WHILE EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY. THERE WAS NO RESTARTING IT AND A TOW TO THE SHOP WAS NEEDED. NO SYMPTOMS LEADING UP TO THE FAULT. A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS REQUIRED AND INSTALLED.*AK

VEHICLE'S ENGINE HAD HEAD GASKET FAILURE AS SO MANY HAVE. THIS RESULTED IN ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING INTO THE OIL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LOWER BEARINGS FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. LAND ROVER REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY WHICH WAS STILL IN EFFECT. THEY CLAIMED A LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE EVEN THOUGH WE HAD ALL THE PROPER SERVICE RECORDS. THIS WILL COST $6700.00 TO REPAIR. LAND ROVER EVEN ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE IN A MEMO TO THEIR DEALERS. THE INTERNAL MEMO IS # 0036. A LAWSUIT WILL BE FILED. IT MAY BE A CLASS ACTION AS THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING POSTED ON THE WEB. *JB

I OWN A 03' FREELANDER WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT. AT THIS STAGE IN A VEHICLE'S LIFE, THERE SHOULD BE VERY LITTLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. IT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE FOR ME. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 1 AND 1/2 YEARS AND PROBLEMS BEGAN OCCURRING 1 YEAR AFTER OWNERSHIP. THERE IS THE SMELL OF BURNT ANTIFREEZE INSIDE THE CAR AND AN EVEN STRONGER SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR ONCE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. THE SMELL IS TOXIC AND I'M AFRAID THAT THE FUMES COULD EASILY IMPACT SOMEONE'S DRIVING ABILITY IF NOT HAVE THE DRIVER GO UNCONSCIOUS AFTER A LONG ROAD TRIP. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM EXISTING ON MANY OTHER FREELANDER VEHICLES ON BLOGS AND CUSTOMER REVIEWS. SOMETHING OUGHT TO BE DONE. ALSO, FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, I'VE BEEN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP TO GET CHECKED OUT. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP OPERATED ON MY VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($970 PART + $240 SERVICE). HE CONTACTED THE LR PARTS DEALER AND THE DEALER NOTIFIED HIM THAT THIS IS A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. IN FACT, DEALER SAID THAT HE HAD RECEIVED 4 OTHER PHONE CALLS THE SAME DAY FOR THE SAME EXACT PART. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. LR NEEDS TO TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS IN RESOLVING THESE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND IMPLIES THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE VEHICLES. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THESE FRIVOLOUS REPAIRS ARE COSTING FREELANDER OWNERS LOTS OF MONEY, AND IN THE FUTURE, AS THESE CARS BECOME A BIT OLDER, THEY WILL COST PEOPLE LIVES. I URGE YOU TO PLEASE TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION AND HELP IN ORCHESTRATING A RECALL ON THIS PART. THANK YOU, ROBERT GLEYZER *TR

CAR JUST STARTED RUNNING HOT I DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS LANDROVER DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT. KEEP OVERHEATING. HAS BEEN IN SHOP SINCE OCTOBER 2007 BUT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE SINCE MARCH 2007. *TR

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. SM.