2003 Land Rover Freelander: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 140 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (51% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look 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 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2015
“Original owner of land rover freelander 2003. At approximately 60,000 miles, the "service engine soon" light came on and engine had to be replaced due to problems caused by the coolant leaking into the engine. At the time, the car was under an extended warranty so most of the repairs were covered. Now, at approximately 86,000 miles, the "service engine soon" has again appeared. I took the car to a land rover repair facility and was told that the car requires a new manifold intake valve. Total cost of repairs around $3,000. At this point, I am totally disgusted with land rover and will never ever buy or recommend a land rover vehicle. This car has been nothing but a major headache. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2013
“I just purchased this vehicle for my daughter 16th birthday. Nightmare. The rear window passengers regulator went out cost to be over $300. The transmission has a hard shift bang from 2nd to third gear. I took it to a transmission shop. They want to rebuild it at a cost of $4000. Estimate was to replace cracked high clutch piston & or valve body leaks. Labor would be over 20 hours worth of work. I am stuck with no vehicle for my daughter who is upset that she can't enjoy her first car. What a shame. Very disappointed. I thought landrover was reliable like bmw. Apparently not. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 land rover freelander. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when the transmission began to jerk violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the shift solenoid sensor was replaced. The mechanic also detected the transmission intake valves were damaged. In addition, the rear passenger automatic window regulator failed to operate and the sun roof motor exhibited faulty wiring. The vehicle had not been repaired for the additional defects. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 land rover freelander. The contact stated that the engine coolant mixed with the oil and the engine seized as a result. The contact also stated that prior to the failure, the oil was changed and there were no signs of any failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine could not be repaired and would need to be replaced. The failure and current mileages were 70,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2011
“Car just loses power and stops while driving at 60mph on highway. I took it in to mechanic and was told that the fuel pump shut off. After getting fuel pump replaced, the car continues to lose power at random times while accelerating. Very dangerous! *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2011
“I was driving 70mph, out of no where, the car down shifted, "the hill decent! Light came on, f4 began flashing. I lost control briefly but regained it. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2010
“03 freelander, purchased used with 74,000 miles. Engine had knocking noise, was told by dealer that was "normal", not even ninety days later fuel pump failed. Ok, no big deal. Towed car 90 miles to lr dealer for covered part. Was determined at lr dealer that there were serious issues with engine and vehicle was not safe to drive. Coolant mixing with oil, etc. Have read all of the issues I am experiencing in forums online. This is a defective vehicle and lr needs to be held responsible before someone gets hurt. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2010
“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 mixing ,which was the problem I had in 2007 when they replaced the engine. The car is at the dealer for the past two weeks and they are refusing to give me a loaner because I have contacted land rover to see what they are going to do about the garbage of a car and they are taking their time resolving the issue. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2010
“In heavy rain or slush the engine will just die (even going through the car wash!). I have been left on the side of the freeway roughly a half dozen times, a couple of times in very unsafe locations. I'm guessing that it's an electrical problem, but the dealership in both corte madera and rosville, california said they will charge me hundreds to isolate the source of the problem... *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CHILD DOOR LOCK ON THE LEFT HAND REAR DOOR CAN BECOME DISENGAGED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND REAR LATCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
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 2003 Land Rover Freelander reliable?
NHTSA has 140 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Land Rover Freelander. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (51% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Land Rover Freelander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,330 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Land Rover Freelander have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members. 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.