RoadVitals

2003 Land Rover Freelander Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Jul 31, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 140 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Land Rover Freelander submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2018

PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN 2003 FROM LAND ROVER, BRAND NEW. DEALT WITH A FEW RECALLS AND OTHER ISSUES ( SUN ROOF WAS OFF TRACK, DID NOT WORK. LEATHER SEATS HAD DEFORMATIONS ON SEATS. TRUCK NEED AN ACID WASH FOR SPOTS THAT DEVELOPED ON BUMPER) SOON MY ENGINE AND COOLANT ISSUES OCCURRED. WHY DRIVING ID NOTICE MY TRUCK START TO OVERHEAT. THIS WAS EVEN AFTER BEING SERVICED AT LAND ROVER. COME TO FIND OUT MY COOLANT WAS LEAKING. THE ISSUE CONTINUED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO GET NEW EXTERNAL PARTS ( THERMOSTAT, WATER PIPE, EXPANSION TANK) THIS HELPED BUT NOT FOR LONG. MY TRUCK CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT AND LEAK, O THE POINT I HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AND THE TIMING BELT.. I ACCUMULATED ONLY 56,000 MILES OVER 9 YEARS OF DRIVING THIS TRUCK AND SPENT +$20,000 TRYING TO SAVE IT ... I SEE WHY THIS MODEL WAS DISCONTINUED AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR. I HAVE TO TAKE MY SITUATION TO CIVIL COURT EVEN THOUGH THIS SHOULD FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW.THE CLASS ACTION GROUP I WAS APART OF FOR 4 YEARS HAS MADE NO PROGRESS AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
11114925
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
BrakesElectrical
Filed Nov 28, 2017

NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OUTSTANDING WARRANTS, TICKETS, COMPLAINTS ETC.

NHTSA ID
11050999
Incident
Apr 4, 2016
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 31, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HILL DESCENT CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE HAD A STRONG HESITATION AND STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V041000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA05016 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10920232
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10837935
Incident
Nov 20, 2015
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 1, 2012

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 LATER THE VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. MECHANICAL PROBLEMS CONTINUE NOW GOING ON THE 4TH TRIP TO THE AUTO MECHANIC SHOP. THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT. MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE DONE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT ANY SITUATION. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER LANDROVER IN ANY MODEL AND WILL LET ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A LANDROVER OF ANY MODEL THAT THEY ARE NOT WORTH BUYING DUE TO ALL THE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS THAT KNOWINGLY SEEM TO OCCUR OVER AND OVER. WHERE LANDROVER IS MAKING NO ATTEMPT TO MAKE IT RIGHT OR EVEN NOTIFY SUCH SITUATIONS IN THEIR VEHICLE. I WOULD RATHER DRIVE A FORD AT THIS POINT THEN TO BE STUCK WITH THIS HIGH MAINTENANCE PROBLEM OF A HIGH END VEHICLE. LANDROVER MIGHT NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CONSUMERS BECAUSE THEY ARE SELLING THE VEHICLE AND WHO CARES WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WORDS WE HAVE OUR MONEY. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ ALL REPORTS OF YOUR WORTHLESS VEHICLES. NOT IMPRESSED! *TR *JS

NHTSA ID
10457063
Incident
Feb 16, 2012
Mileage
77,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 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

NHTSA ID
10350284
Incident
Mar 15, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jun 29, 2009

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 FLASHING "F" "4"- THEM SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHOTOFF. I DRIVE WITH THE FEAR THAT ONE DAY I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND I WILL BE CRASHING. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE VEHICLE LOSS TOTAL POWER AND STOP MOVING, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESS DOWN THE GAS PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10275215
Incident
Jun 19, 2009
Mileage
82,607 mi
ElectricalEngineTires & wheels
Filed Apr 20, 2009

MY LR FREELANDER 2003, HAS AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM, THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN AND IS IN NEED OF REPAIR. THERE ARE NOW MECHANICS THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM EXCEPT FOR THE LAND ROVER DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THE WORK. THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE HEADS IN THIS VEHICLE KNOW BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSE TO MAKE THIS A RECALL TO THE CONSUMERS AND THEY HAVE STOPPED MAKING THIS ENGINE. I NEED THIS REPAIR DONE SO I MAY AT LEAST TRADE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A NEW VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266075
Incident
Apr 10, 2008
Mileage
117,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+3 more
Filed Feb 27, 2009

PRIOR TO THIS MAJOR PROBLEM, THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL MINOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES: WINDOWS GETTING STUCK IN UP AND DOWN POSITION, REAR WIPER MALFUNCTION; ALSO, UNABLE TO DEFROST DRIVER'S SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR ISSUES THAT WERE NOT QUICK FIXES: 1. BRAKE WORK 2. CAR GOT STUCK IN GEAR AND WAS UNABLE TO REVERSE. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, CAR HAS BEEN REVVING WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 20MPH. MOST RECENTLY, IT BRAKED HARD AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE BRAKE. CURRENTLY, THE CAR IS FLASHING F AND 4 IN THE DASH DISPLAY AND IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO CLIMB EVEN THE SLIGHTEST OF INCLINES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC AT THE SHOP BELIEVES THE TRANSMISSION IS "SHOT", BUT SUGGESTED HAVING IT DIAGNOSED AT A MR. TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260230
Incident
Feb 23, 2009
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed May 20, 2008

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10228341
Incident
Nov 18, 2004
Mileage
31,336 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 20, 2008

TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYS ON, PUT THE CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL & IT STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10228340
Incident
Sep 13, 2004
Mileage
27,784 mi
Electrical
Filed May 20, 2008

BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING, BRAKE SWITCH WAS RECALLED & THEN THE RECALL WAS RECALLED. RESULTING IN NO BRAKE LIGHTS AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10228336
Incident
Feb 27, 2008
Mileage
72,584 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Apr 30, 2008

I HAVE 78K ON MY '03 LAND ROVER FREELANDER AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT WITH THE F-4 FLASHING ON THE ODOMETER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND THE HILL DESCENT/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHICH I HAVE THE WARRANTY THROUGH, AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $3300, AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY WON'T COVER IT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE THE END OF FEB '08 AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT BACK, NOR DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO ON IT. AS FAR AS EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT, THERE WAS NO WARNINGS. IT WAS RUNNING FINE ON THE DAY PRIOR, BUT THEN THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND THE ALL THE LIGHTS AND CODES OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226303
Incident
Feb 27, 2008
Mileage
78,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 10, 2008

VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DIES WHEN SLOWING DOWN 1. 10/26/06-RESET THROTTLE 2. 10/29/06-REPLACE WIRING ASSEMBLY, REPLACE THROTTLE BODY ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. 3. 10/26/07-REPLACE FUEL PUMP GASKET,REPLACED LH/FRONT BANK IGNITION COIL, REPLACED SPARK PLUG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220742
Incident
Oct 26, 2006
Mileage
35,612 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 10, 2008

SLOW/NO START 1. 08/07/06-INTERNAL FAILURE OF BATTERY REPLACE BATTERY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220740
Incident
Aug 7, 2006
Mileage
34,245 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 10, 2008

ABS, TC,HD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED 1. 08/07/06-INTERNAL FAILURE OF ALTERNATOR REPLACED ALTERNATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220737
Incident
Aug 7, 2006
Mileage
34,245 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 10, 2008

SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED 1. 05/11/06-REPLACED L/F PRETENSIONER 2. 08/07/06-REPLACED ALTERNATOR 3. 10/26/07-REPLACED L/F PRETENSIONER 4. 01/29/08-REPLACED L/F PRETENSIONER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220730
Incident
May 11, 2006
Mileage
31,473 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Oct 29, 2007

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 REPLACED FEBRUARY 2006, CHILD SAFETY LOCK RECALL NOVEMBER 2005, BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE NOVEMBER 2005, HEATER CORE LEAKING COOLANT NOVEMBER 2005, COOLANT BOTTLE REPLACED NOVEMBER 2005, DRIVER DOOR REPLACED DECEMBER 2004, WINDSHIELD WASHER BROKEN DECEMBER 2004. *TR

NHTSA ID
10207360
Incident
Oct 29, 2007
Mileage
79,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Oct 24, 2007

A SENSOR SHUT DOWN THE MOTOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-55. IT REQUIRED ME TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. (THIS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2006.) LAST MONTH, THE WATER RESEVOIR IN THE ENGINE BUSTED (DESPITE DUTIFUL MAINTENANCE) REQUIRING A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE TO BE INSTALLED. THE RADIO HAS ALSO MALFUNCTIONED TWICE, BEING REPLACED LAST TIME. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN EITHER CASE, BUT IT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN DEATHS WHEN THE VEHICLE QUIT IN 70 MILE PER HOUR TRAFFIC! *TR

NHTSA ID
10206791
Incident
Sep 28, 2007
Mileage
87,458 mi
ElectricalFuel systemTransmission+1 more
Filed Oct 12, 2007

LANDROVER FREELANDER ONGOING REPAIRS. 1) BAD PASSENGER WINDOW ACTUATOR. 2) BAD FUEL PUMP 3) BAD IGNITION/STARTER. 4) TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10205504
Incident
Sep 10, 2007
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 8, 2007

BURNING SMELLS, DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON AND OFF, REAR WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN, STALLS AT STOP LIGHTS, FAN BLOWER WON'T WORK ON SPEEDS 1-3, TOTAL ELECTRICAL MESS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10187291
Incident
Dec 15, 2004
Mileage
4,500 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Mar 29, 2005

ELECTRICAL DRAIN ON SYSTEM CONTINUED TO WEAKEN THE BATTERY, CAUSING OVERALL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME, IN DECEMBER, THE TRUCK WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ONE WEEK. THE LAST TIME WAS MARCH 16, 2005 AND IT TOOK THE DEALER 13 DAYS TO FIND, TRACK AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM PICKING UP THE VEHICLE TOMORROW, MARCH 30 TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID
10116043
Incident
Mar 16, 2005
Mileage
13,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Dec 12, 2004

2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER 1. DEFECTIVE ENGINE 2.DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.DEFECTIVE SUNROOF. *JB 4.DEFECTIVE MARKER LIGHT 5.DEFECTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM

NHTSA ID
10102809
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
ElectricalFuel systemVisibility
Filed Nov 9, 2004

THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *NM THE MIRRORS DID NOT REACH SOME ANGLES, THE GAS CAP COULD NOT GET OPEN, AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS A PROBLEM. *SC

NHTSA ID
10101431
Incident
Nov 22, 2003
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 12, 2004

ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. ONLY ON THE FIRST OCCASION THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND A PART IN THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10053801
Incident
Nov 24, 2004
Mileage
200 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .