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2003 Land Rover Freelander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 140 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Land Rover Freelander, most often about the engine (65% of complaints, typically around 63,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Freelander model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2003 Land Rover Freelander problems
Engine
91 complaints · 65%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Vehicle was brought into the dealership multiple times for overheating. After the 4th time the car overheated and I lost all power as it caught on fire. I had to make a dangerous lane change across 4 lanes of highway while losing power. The engine was replaced in 2006 but the dealership said it was just over warranty.…
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…
Fuel system
34 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
Landrover Freelander ongoing repairs. 1) bad passenger window actuator. 2) bad fuel pump 3) bad ignition/starter. 4) transmission failure.
I was driving my 2003 Land Rover Freelander on the highway on november 24,2008, when the engine died on me. It was snowing and wet on the highway and dark. I was able to get the car to the side of the highway and waited for aaa. I had to be towed 19 miles to my home. I was told the fuel pump went out on the car. There…
Transmission
27 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
Landrover Freelander ongoing repairs. 1) bad passenger window actuator. 2) bad fuel pump 3) bad ignition/starter. 4) transmission failure.
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…
Electrical
25 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator.
Landrover Freelander ongoing repairs. 1) bad passenger window actuator. 2) bad fuel pump 3) bad ignition/starter. 4) transmission failure.
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…
Brakes
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 28,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
My Land Rover Freelander has been in to the dealership for coolant smells coming into the cabin 20+ times and has never been repaired. They have replaced external parts, (reservoir tank, hoses and thermostats) and never fixed the problem. After researching the problem while it was still under warranty on my own, I…
Cruise control is not working, parking brake light stays on, vehicle stalled out while driving at highway speeds, heater core leaking. Took vehicle into dealership they replaced the leaking heater core, hose camshaft, anti freeze hose.
Visibility and wipers
12 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, rear window wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices, sun/moon roof assembly.
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…
I am driving an SUV - Freelander se3 of the Land Rover, and have a defect that is getting worse as the car get into highs miles. I can be driving over 50 miles per hour and the service engine light came up, followed by t/c and decent hill lights, them the car have a strong jump and the d (drive mode) change to a…
Lights
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
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…
I have a landrover Freelander 2003. The car needed a new engine at 41,000 miles and right after that transmission seals had to be repaired right after that air. Heating units were replaced now the car is at 73,000 miles and the dealer is telling me that I need a new engine again for the same problem coolant and oil…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: 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…
2003 Land Rover Freelander would not accelerate and lost power. Vehicle wouldn't start. Upon inspection mechanic determined the bolt that holds the upper cam started to back out. The engine blew at 56869 miles. The dealer recommended that the consumer replace the entire engine. The vehicle was out of warranty…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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: frame and members
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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Doors and locks: latch
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.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the child door lock on the left hand rear door can become disengaged.
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
Fuel pump failure - stall
Summary
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 comp
Fuel pump failure
Summary
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 occu
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 2003 Land Rover Freelander
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Land Rover Freelander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (91 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles); fuel system (34 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles); transmission (27 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Land Rover Freelander have?
- 5 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 2003 a bad year for the Land Rover Freelander?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Freelander model year since 2000, with 140 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.