LAND ROVER FREELANDER · model year

2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER

404 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002LAND ROVERFREELANDER carries 404 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 10 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 FREELANDER is power train:automatic transmission with 72 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (52) and engine and engine cooling:engine (35). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2002 FREELANDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

404
Complaints
5
Crashes
10
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

404 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION72
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING52
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE35
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM32
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS15
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC11
POWER TRAIN11
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES10
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY9
ENGINE9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS6
EQUIPMENT6

Recalls (3)

05V30000028/06/2005

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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.

04V34700012/07/2004

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

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 A

07V04100009/02/2007

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

Recent Complaints

20150425POWER 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

Mileage: 110,031

20141209POWER 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 $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 F

20141209ENGINE

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 F

20141209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 F

20140125SERVICE 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 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

Mileage: 120,090

20140125ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

Mileage: 120,090

20140125EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Mileage: 120,090

20131010ENGINE

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.

20130713STEERING

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 WIT

Mileage: 93,400

20130713WHEELS

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 WIT

Mileage: 93,400

20130513STEERING

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.

20130513ENGINE

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.

20130312ENGINE

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

Mileage: 50,000

20130311ENGINE

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

Mileage: 70,000

20130311ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 70,000

20130305ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Mileage: 101,000

20130305FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 101,000

20121217ENGINE

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 TRAVEL

Mileage: 49,807

20120722ENGINE

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

Mileage: 103,000

20120722VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 103,000

Compare 2002LAND ROVERFREELANDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER have?
The 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER has 404 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 10 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER?
Yes, the 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER?
The most-complained component for the 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 72 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.