2002 Land Rover Freelander: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 226 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (41% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 226 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2015
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2013
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 land rover freelander. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the vehicle and the vehicle would not start as a result. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they informed the contact that the vehicle needed a replacement engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2012
“I was driving the car away from my house and the engine died. It wouldn't restart and after about 2 minutes of trying, it started making a grinding noise. When I took it to a mechanic, he said it had blown the head gasket, then the piston rod had collapsed, so the engine was virtually ruined. The vehicle had 96,000 miles on it. Land rover produced thousands of these vehicles with faulty engines(the 2.5 v-6). I also want to know if there is a class-action lawsuit filed against land rover and how to get involved with it. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2011
“2002 land rover freelander intake motors. Replaced by owner approx 40k miles ago. I was in a very bad(unrelated) auto accident 22 july. While relatives were available to take me to doctors,etc., I knew I also had a trouble light on the freelander that had to be cleared for state inspection. When they took it to lr of cary I had to replace yet again the entire plenum assembly at a cost of 2k to owner. Advised by dealer that the parts when they receive them are sometimes malfunctioning upon receipt. Possible accident in colo caused by seized intake motors(per lr dealer in colo) numerous complaints of faulty intake motors can be easily found on line. *kb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 land rover freelander. While driving 20 mph, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and as the vehicle shifted gears, the contact heard a noise. She then noted a problem shifting gears. The service engine soon light illuminated along with an f4 light. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 50,008.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2010
“Both head gaskets are leaking coolant from all four corners. This is a common failure in this model caused by the cylinder sleeves coming loose. The sleeves contact the head gaskets causing them to leak. Eventually the engine fails. There have been continuing coolant problems with this car since new. When it was a month old all the coolant disappeared. The dealer offered no explanation. Since then the coolant reservoir and temperature sensor have been replaced. It has always leaked coolant.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2010
“1 numerous problems over several years, including (but not limited to) sudden loss of coolant and oil. And yesterday, a strong smell of hot oil, and sudden squealing from right, front wheel. 2 complete loss of engine power. Vehicle is no longer drivable. 3 contacted landrover. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Freelander by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Land Rover Freelander reliable?
NHTSA has 226 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Land Rover Freelander. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Land Rover Freelander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Land Rover Freelander have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.