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2002 Land Rover Freelander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Land Rover Freelander, most often about the engine (57% of complaints, typically around 61,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Freelander model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Land Rover Freelander problems
Engine
130 complaints · 57%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The car is just poorly designed and a disaster. Despite our regular maintenance at manufacturer's dealers & at normal intervals, the car's engine & transmission failed. Repair costs readily exceeded the value of the vehicle. All with less than 65,000 miles. Land Rover & ford were un-willing to assist in any way. We…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Land Rover Freelander. While driving, the heat shut down inside the vehicle. The dealer stated that her heater coil failed. The contact took the vehicle to a different mechanic because it was out of warranty. The heater coil was repaired. Approximately ten months later, the vehicle failed…
Transmission
83 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
I bought an 02 Land Rover Freelander from a used car dealer and after about a year and a half, at only 60,000 miles, the transmission went out. The car no longer drives. No one will work on it and my only option is to replace the whole tranny for about 4 grand. I still owe a bunch and I just keep shelling out the…
Engine coolant, transmission failure overheated, leaking fluids. Dealership replaced transmission when vehicle overheated. Paid 2500 for a new transmission then dealer indicated that this vehicle needed more servicing unrelated to the transmission for another 3000.00. Dealer was negligent when fixing transmission and…
Visibility and wipers
27 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, sun/moon roof assembly, rear window wiper/washer, glass, side/rear.
Water pump failed, took to dealer for replacement, gas pump failed took it to shop to replace it, gas tank lid failed, both one from dealer to replace it, engine cooling system failed, transmission failed, took it to shop they refuse to fix, they say is not their fault and is not cover by warranty anymore, window…
Mechanical problems immediately after purchase required 4-5 trips to dealership before they fixed it. I don't' recall the exact problem. Sunroof motor died & had to be replaced. Left rear window regulator died and had to be replaced. Right rear window regulator died and had to be replaced. Broken latch on hood had to…
Electrical
26 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, starter assembly.
The vehicle was driven from work to a relatives house were it failed to restart after setting for 15 minutes. The had to be push out of the way, one of the pushers injured their back, who was treated and release from henry ford hospital. The vehicle was left over night and was attempted to be started the following…
We own a 2002 Land Rover Freelander. It has been in the repair shop numerous times. While on a trip all of the warning lights on the dashboard lite up and the transmission became stuck in 4th gear. Because road side assistance could not direct US to an open dealership, we had to drive from buffalo ny to chicago il.…
Brakes
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
When applying brakes at normal conditions ABS light came on intermittently, and there was extended stopping distance. Dealer stated braking system was defective but they could do nothing about it. Also, automatic transmission failed.
I have 2002 landrover Freelander with less than 35000 miles. I have transmission failure, repeated brake problems, cooling system problems, window and door operator problems, to include the lock on the driver side not been able to be opened with the remote. The hesitate when accelerating up hills. I have had to ship…
Lights
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, turn signal.
Water pump failed, took to dealer for replacement, gas pump failed took it to shop to replace it, gas tank lid failed, both one from dealer to replace it, engine cooling system failed, transmission failed, took it to shop they refuse to fix, they say is not their fault and is not cover by warranty anymore, window…
Land Rover, Freelander hse 2002. Engine valve leak, 5th cylinder not firing, catalytic sensor went bad, pressure valve leakage. The car stooped all of a sudden. Just crossed the manufacturer's warranty, by 700 miles.
Equipment
11 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: appliance, electrical.
In october of 2002 my husband and I purchased a 2002 Freelander from landrover north dade of florida. The car was in the showroom with minimal miles. Within three(3) days of purchase we returned the car because it shook violently after reaching a speed of 50 MPH. I must admit the dealership advised US of some type of…
I took my 2002 Land Rover Freelander into Land Rover to be service because my transmission was slipping and the check engine light was on. They said it wasn't the transmission but it was the upper intake manifold, the vacuum hoses, and sensor that was causing the problem. So we had them replace the manifold, hoses and…
Doors and locks
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Land Rover Freelander. When the contact attempted to open the tailgate, it would not unlock, regardless if she used the keyless remote or manually attempted to open the door. She also noticed that the front passenger and rear driver side doors would not unlock with the keyless remote. The doors…
Vehicle was purchased with 40,000 miles on it from a dealership in december of 2004. Day after vehicle was purchased rear window motor broke. Dealership replaced. Two weeks later car began to lose power, dealership replaced sensor. Loss of power again dealership ending up performing engine work. Vehicle continually…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Land Rover Freelander recalls
Lights: switch
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake light switch failure
Summary
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 (?cavit
Questions about the 2002 Land Rover Freelander
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Land Rover Freelander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (130 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles); transmission (83 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); visibility and wipers (27 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Land Rover Freelander have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 9, 2007 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Land Rover Freelander?
- It is the most complained-about Freelander model year since 2000, with 226 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.