2003 Land Rover Freelander Engine Problems

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

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 ON ODOMETER; HILL DECENT FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED; TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED; BRAKE ANTI BLOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATED; TRANSMISSION (WHILE IN AUTOMATIC D) WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT PAST 2. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT BEYOND 3; MANUALLY SHIFTING DOWN TO 1, TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES HARSH SHIFTING ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING SOUND SHIFTING FROM 1 TO 2; WILL NOT MANUALLY SHIFT BEYOND 3. 3.INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INDUCTION SYSTEM: VEHICLE REVERTED TO CREEP' MODE AND WOULD NOT TRAVEL BEYOND 5 MPH; TOWED VEHICLE TO RESIDENCE; DISCOVERED INTAKE MANIFOLD BUTTERFLY VALVES WERE DISCONNECTED FROM ACTUATION ROD - REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD 4.FUEL SYSTEM:VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY - REPLACED FUEL PUMP 5. SUNROOF, WINDOWS, AND DOORS: SUNROOF WILL NOT CLOSE REPLACE SUNROOF ACTUATION MECHANISM 3 TIMES; POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAIL ON: LEFT FRONT (2 TIMES); RIGHT FRONT; LEFT REAR; RIGHT REAR (3 TIMES); REAR DOOR (2 TIMES): 5.WARNING AND CAUTION SYSTEM: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES THEN EXTINGUISHES, THEN ILLUMINATES AND STAYS ILLUMINATED (MULTIPLE REPEAT DISCREPANCY AND ONGOING): PURCHASED OBDM II CODE SCANNER/READER: MOST COMMON FAULT LEFT #2 BANK TOO LEAN; MISFIRE DETECTED ON #2 OR #1 SPARK PLUG - REPLACED ALL 6 SPARK COILS; '

NHTSA ID

10837924

Incident

Nov 5, 2015

Mileage

62,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10557573

Incident

Aug 30, 2013

Mileage

86,000 mi

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 ON ODOMETER; HILL DECENT FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED; TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED; BRAKE ANTI BLOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATED; TRANSMISSION (WHILE IN AUTOMATIC D) WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT PAST 2. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT BEYOND 3; MANUALLY SHIFTING DOWN TO 1, TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES HARSH SHIFTING ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD CLUNKING SOUND SHIFTING FROM 1 TO 2; WILL NOT MANUALLY SHIFT BEYOND 3. 3.INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INDUCTION SYSTEM: VEHICLE REVERTED TO CREEP' MODE AND WOULD NOT TRAVEL BEYOND 5 MPH; TOWED VEHICLE TO RESIDENCE; DISCOVERED INTAKE MANIFOLD BUTTERFLY VALVES WERE DISCONNECTED FROM ACTUATION ROD - REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD 4.FUEL SYSTEM:VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY - REPLACED FUEL PUMP 5.SUNROOF, WINDOWS, AND DOORS: SUNROOF WILL NOT CLOSE REPLACE SUNROOF ACTUATION MECHANISM 3 TIMES; POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAIL ON: LEFT FRONT (2 TIMES); RIGHT FRONT; LEFT REAR; RIGHT REAR (3 TIMES); REAR DOOR (2 TIMES): 5.WARNING AND CAUTION SYSTEM: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES THEN EXTINGUISHES, THEN ILLUMINATES AND STAYS ILLUMINATED (MULTIPLE REPEAT DISCREPANCY AND ONGOING): PURCHASED OBDM II CODE SCANNER/READER: MOST COMMON FAULT LEFT #2 BANK TOO LEAN; MISFIRE DETECTED ON #2 OR #1 SPARK PLUG - REPLACED ALL 6 SPARK COILS; ' DISCREPANCY NOT CORRECTED; COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF LEAN CONDITION POSSIBLE ECM FLASH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10458178

Incident

Nov 10, 2003

Mileage

350 mi

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

BOUGHT CAR USED IN FALL 09, HAD SEVERAL WHAT SEEMED LIKE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON IT AS I BOUGHT IT FROM ANOTHER OWNER. EARLY MAY '11 THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS. I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. ON THE WAY HOME IT CAME ON AGAIN AND AS I WAS 2 BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME THE CAR JUST SLOWED AND CAME TO A STOP. THIS TURNED INTO A 2+ MONTH STINCH IN THE SHOP, WITH THE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REBUILT. THIS WAS DONE BY MY MECHANIC. I WISHED I HAD READ THE INFO LISTED HERE PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OR EVEN A YEAR AGO. LAST WINTER THE COOLANT CONSTANTLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED LIKE EVERY FEW DAYS AND THE CAR WAS OVER HEATING. MY MECHANIC SAID THE HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BETWEEN THEN AND THIS WINTER BOTH WERE REPLACED AND NOW I'M EXPERIENCING THE CAR OVER HEATING WHEN ITS FULL WITH COOLANT, HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT STARTING, THERE NOT BEING ENOUGH POWER TO GET IT UP A HILL ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10451718

Incident

May 4, 2011

AT 88,000 MILES, MY 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER LOST ~80% OF POWER WHILE GOING UP A HILL ON A MAJOR HIGH WAY AND STARTED TO BILLOW SMOKE. AFTER STEERING THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, I POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE MATERIAL ON THE LOWER SIDE OF THE HOOD ON FIRE. UPON PUTTING THIS FIRE OUT, I REALIZED THERE WAS STILL A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE COVER AND MY ANTI-FREEZE WAS EMPTY, WHEN SERVED ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS PRIOR. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE COOL, I TOOK OFF THE ENGINE COVER TO FIND IT HAD A MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND OIL RESTING ON TOP OF IT; A DARK-MILKY COLORED LIQUID. UPON HAVING IT TOWED AND FURTHER INSPECTED BY A PROFESSIONAL, NOT ONLY IS MY HEAD GASKET GONE, A FITTING ON THE A RADIATOR LINE HAD MELTED ABOVE THE ENGINE, AND A CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS AS WELL. I GOT IT BACK TO MY HOUSE IN THIS CONDITION BECAUSE I STILL OWE $7500 AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR 1 YEAR. MECHANICALLY TOTALED IN MY DRIVEWAY, IT NOW ONLY SOMETIMES WILL SHIFT AND WHEN IT DOES, ONLY HAPPENS WITH FORCE. PRIOR TO THIS ALMOST FATAL DISASTER, I HAD THREE WINDOW ASSEMBLIES BRAKE; RUINING THE MOTORS AND CAUSING THEM TO FALL WHILE DRIVING, AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION. I REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHTS STILL PERSISTS. I'VE GIVEN UP HOPE ON THIS SUV AND HAVE GOT NOT ONE REPLY FROM LAND ROVER COSTUMER SERVICE. I AM STUCK MAKING PAYMENTS, AND EVEN IF I COULD AFFORD TO FIX IT, WOULD NEVER PUT MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN IT AGAIN. PLEASE GET THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD, BEFORE SOMEONE IS EVEN LESS LUCKY THEN I. *TR

NHTSA ID

10450343

Incident

May 16, 2011

Mileage

88,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10418501

Incident

Jun 3, 2011

Mileage

70,000 mi

1) DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH, MY ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND I LOST ALL POWER EXCEPT BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO AND ALLOW MY CAR TO REST, AND LATER DROVE MY CAR TO THE LAND ROVER DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF "THE COOLANT GASKET WAS CRACKED/BROKE" AND HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. 2) I WAS HAVING MY CAR FIXED FOR RANDOM FAILURE OF WINDOW MOTOR AND SUNROOF, I WAS TOLD THAT THE THE CARRIER BEARINGS/SUPPORT BEARINGS THAT THE DRIVESHAFT GOES THROUGH ARE BAD, YET THIS REPAIR IS COVERED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PLACE WHERE THE SHAFT COMES APART IS RUSTED AND CORRODED WHICH IS A $3200 DOLLAR REPAIR. THE WARRANTIED PART (DRIVESHAFT) IS $429, AND THE CORRODED PIECE + LABOR WAS $3160. 3) WHILE GETTING A SMOG CHECK IN CALIFORNIA, I HAD ERROR CODES INDICATING "ENGINE MISFIRE" AND "FUEL INJECTION ERROR" AND MY CAR DID NOT PASS, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO SERVICE/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE CAR DROVE "FINE" WITH FINE MEANING A GRINDING NOISE OF MY DRIVETRAIN AND KNOCK WHEN GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. LAND ROVER SAID THAT INSIDE THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD CHAMBER, THE ACTUATOR FLAP IS STUCK -A DEFECT KNOWN TO LAND ROVER BUT NOT COVERED SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS REPAIR WAS $2000 4) WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 65K MILES, AND ALL GAUGES SHUT DOWN. RPM, FUEL, MPH, AND TEMPERATURE ALL FELL TO READ 0, EMPTY, 130+, AND 0 DEGREES RESPECTFULLY. I EMERGENTLY PULLED TO SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FEARING THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED BUT EVERYTHING WAS "FINE." I THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AFTER 30 MINUTES AND SAW ALL GAUGES AGAIN FUNCTIONAL EXCEPT SPEED. PLEASE LOOK AT THE INTERNET, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE DIED OR WAS INJURED IN ANY OF THESE 4 INCIDENTS. I NEVER FEEL SAFE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS ANYMORE.

NHTSA ID

10411009

Incident

Jul 1, 2007

Mileage

45,000 mi

I PAID $2,700.00 FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGHLANDROVER/EASYCARE MY (2003 FREELANDER ) IN JUNE OF 2007. THE WARRANTY IS FOR 60MONTHS AND UP TO 100,000MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OPERABLE FOR OVER 2 MONTHS LARGELY DUE TO THE DIFFICULTIES OF CONDUCTING WHAT SHOULD BE NORMAL BUSINESS WITH EASYCARE. EASYCARE HAS BEEN SO DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH THAT THE FIRST CAR REPAIR SHOP I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 'ADVANCED AUTO SERVICE' CHOSE TO GIVE UP AFTER GETTING NOWHERE WITH EASYCARE. 'ADVANCED AUTO SERVICE' STATED 'THEY ARE JUST TOO DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH' AND REQUESTED I PICK-UP/TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LAND ROVER DEALERSHIP, THIS WAS 3 WEEKS AFTER I HAD DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO '[XXX]' AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT [XXX]AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR 2.5 WEEKS AND COUNTING. [XXX] HAS EXPRESSED TO ME THAT MAJOR REPAIRS NEED TO BE PERFORMED ON TO THE ENGINE. THEY HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED TO ME THIS ENGINE REPAIR WAS NOT DUE TO 'LACK OF MAINTENANCE' AND THAT THE APPEARANCE OF 'SLUDGE' IS NOT IN EXCESS. [XXX] HAS RELAYED TO ME THAT EASYCARE INFORMED THEM ENGINE REPAIRS WILL NOT BE COVERED, AND HAVE ONLY GIVEN THE REASON OF 'LACK OF MAINTENANCE' ' DUE TO 'SLUDGE'. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAVE ASKED THREE OF EASYCARE'S STAFF (UNKNOWN NAME, [XXX]) TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE REASON FOR THE DENIAL OF THE ENGINE REPAIR CLAIM. BOTH TIMES THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PROVIDE THIS DOCUMENTATION AND/OR THE EVIDENCE FOR DECISION MADE. TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN NO COMMUNICATION TO ME FROM EASYCARE OTHER THAN THE 2 TIMES I CALLED. THE REQUESTED INFORMATION HAS NEVER BEEN PROVIDED TO ME, NOR HAS EASYCARE PROVIDED ME WITH ANY DOCUMENTATION AS TO WHY THEY HAVE DENIED, THE REQUIRED ENGINE REPAIR. SINCE I BOUGHT MY WARRANTY AT [XXX] AND THROUGH EASYCARE, I EXPECT THEM TO WORK TOGETHER TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES WITHOUT ME HAVING TO CONSTANTLY WASTE MY TIME. THIS CAR IS TRUELY A LEMON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10404332

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

Mileage

76,000 mi

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 FOUND A COMPLAINT ABOUT HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS WITH THE K SERIES ENGINE AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY NEW NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND YOU CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ON THE INTERNET. SINCE THEN I CALLED THE CA BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR AND HAD AN AGENT INVESTIGATE. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO SEND IT TO ANOTHER WARRANTY SHOP WHICH FOUND A BAD HEAD GASKET. I ALSO CALLED L/R DIRECT TO TRY AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO DO FOR ME. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT COST $11,000 +, AND THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WILL FAIL ALSO. THE ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AT THE FACTORY. THE CYLINDER SLEEVES ARE THE WRONG ALLOY AND LOOSEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT CAUSING HEAD GASKET AND EVENTUALLY TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. LAND ROVER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2004, TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0036 AND #0026 ISSUED 06/18/2004. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED ME $3500 TO BUY MY CAR FROM ME, AND WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 54,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS A HEALTH ISSUE FROM BREATHING IN TOXIC FUMES FROM THE COOLANT. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH ARE TO MANY TO MENTION IN THIS LETTER. PLEASE CONTACT ASAP ABOUT THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID

10385868

Incident

Jan 2, 2006

Mileage

25,731 mi

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. SM.

NHTSA ID

10384763

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HOT. HE PULLED OVER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FAN WAS RUNNING AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD ANTI FREEZE EVERY OTHER TIME FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A WELL KNOW COOLANT FAILURE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC ADVISED HIM TO CONTINUE ADDING COOLANT AND THAT IF THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR THE SEAL COULD BREAK, MIX WITH THE COOLANT AND RUIN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN JUNE 2010. THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10375571

Incident

Jul 15, 2010

Mileage

58,000 mi

2003 LAND ROVER FREELAND - BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF COOLANT. MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS TO LOCAL GARAGE - THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAK. CHECKED WEB SITE - IT'S A WELL-KNOWN ENGINE FLAW WITH THE FREELAND THAT LEADS TO ENGINE FAILURE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2003 FROM LR DEALER. TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE ISSUED BACK IN 2005. WENT TO DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY - $8000-$10000 TO REPLACE ENGINE IF THEY COULD GET ONE. EVIDENTLY, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET ENGINES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT KNOWS THE PROBLEM WELL - TOLD ME MY CAR WAS JUNK AND LR WAS WELL AWARE. ASKED WHAT WAS DONE FOR OWNERS SINCE IT WAS A WELL KNOWN DOCUMENTED DESIGN FLAW. NOTHING! TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN SOONER. LR IS JUST PREYING ON THE INNOCENT PUBLIC BY REFUSING TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS CLEARLY OF THEIR OWN MAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10367350

Incident

Nov 23, 2010

Mileage

78,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10358236

Incident

Sep 20, 2010

Mileage

82,530 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10354938

Incident

Aug 26, 2010

Mileage

73,000 mi

2003 LANDROVER FREELAND - BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF COOLANT. MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS TO LOCAL GARAGE - THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAK. LOCAL GARAGE CONTACTED LANDROVER. TURNS OUT NOT SO MYSTERIOUS LEAK. IT'S A WELL KNOW ENGINE FLAW WITH THE FREELAND THAT LEADS TO ENGINE FAILURE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2007 FROM LR DEALER. TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE ISSUED BACK IN 2005. WENT TO DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY - $8000-$10000 TO REPLACE ENGINE IF THEY COULD GET ONE. EVIDENTLY, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET ENGINES. I PAID $11600 FOR THE CARE 2.5 YRS AGO. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS KNOWS THE PROBLEM WELL - TOLD ME MY CAR WAS JUNK AND LR WAS WELL AWARE. ASKED WHAT WAS DONE FOR OWNERS SINCE IT WAS A WELL KNOWN DOCUMENTED DESIGN FLAW. NOTHING! TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN SOONER. HECK - THERE IS EVENT A YOUTUBE VIDEO POSTED BY ANOTHER LR DEALERSHIP WHICH SHOWS EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX IT. LR IS JUST PREYING ON THE INNOCENT PUBLIC BY REFUSING TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS CLEARLY OF THEIR OWN MAKING. LANDROVER IS A -0- INTEGRITY CORP!!!

NHTSA ID

10347422

Incident

Aug 1, 2010

Mileage

110,000 mi

I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENTIRE ENGINE SYSTEM. I SPENT $1000 REPAIRING THE TIMING BELT, YET THE TIMING BELT PERSIST WITH ENGINE FAILURE. MASS AIRFLOW METER KEEP BLOWING UP, I AM BOUGHT 3 AT $325 SO FAR. I HAVE SPENT ANOTHER $2000 TO GET THE ENGINE FIXED STILL NO SOLUTIONS. HIGHLIGHT KEEPS COMING ON EVERY TIME I PRESS THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE CAR WON'T SPEED UP CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, SRS LIGHT IS ON EVERYTHING IN THIS CAR IS BAD AS A RESULT MAKE IT REAL UNSAFE. PLEASE PEOPLE TRY TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE THIS AND HOPEFULLY GET IT OFF THE MARKET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10335591

Incident

Dec 17, 2009

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TIMING BELT AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AGAIN AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN REPLACED THE OVER FLOW RESERVOIR AND HOSES. WHEN THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED THE THIRD TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AIR IN THE ENGINE, WHICH WAS REMOVED; YET, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE. THE CONTACT REFUSED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND NOTIFY HER OF THE RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,483 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,900.

NHTSA ID

10332492

Incident

May 20, 2009

Mileage

51,483 mi

I TOOK MY CAR TO TUFFY SERVICE CENTER ON 02/16/2008 TO HAVE MY CAR SERVICED FOR A TIMING BELT. AFTER THEY CHANGED THE BELT AND PUT EVERYTHING BACK . THE ODOMETER SWITCHED FROM MILEAGE TO KILOMETERS. WHEN TALKING TO DEALERSHIPS, THEY MENTION THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT IS COMMON. IF IT IS COMMON WHY THEY DO NOT RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10318166

Incident

Feb 18, 2008

Mileage

79,000 mi

2003 FREELANDER LAND ROVER - TRANSMISSION DIED AT 40000 MILES AND COOLANT SYSTEM FAILED 2 WEEKS LATER. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR, CAR IS INCREDIBLY UNRELIABLE AND HENCE UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10312582

Incident

Jan 6, 2010

Mileage

40,000 mi

COOLANT IS LEAKING VISIBLY IN COOLANT BOWL. I ADD COOLANT ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND DEALER TELLS ME TO REPLACE THERMOSTAT ($1,000). COOLANT STILL LEAKING VISIBLY SO THEY REPLACE BOWL. COOLANT STILL LEAKING VISIBLY. I HAVE FOGGY WINDOWS AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THIS IS VAPOR FROM THE COOLANT LEAKAGE. SO NOW I AM INHALING COOLANT (GLYCOL) WHICH IS PROBABLY A TOXIC CHEMICAL. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATING SENSOR WHERE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING STILL. COST IS $1100, DEALER TELLS ME AT LEAST I DON'T HAVE THE BIG PROBLEM. I SAY, WHAT IS THAT? HE SAYS THE COOLANT CAN LEAK IN ABOUT 1/3 OF THE FREELANDERS AND IT CAN RUIN THE ENGINE. THE COST OF A REBUILT ENGINE IS $7,000. THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE AND WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS! *TR

NHTSA ID

10299084

Incident

Jan 11, 2010

Mileage

61,000 mi

KNOWN DEFECTIVE METAL USED IN ENGINE WITH THIS MODEL... CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND ENGINE FAILURE, COOLANT LOSS... ETC. FIRST OVERHEATING IN MY OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR... BUSTED THERMOSTAT 1500.00 REPAIR ESTIMATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10298674

Incident

Jul 15, 2009

Mileage

59,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED RATE ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, SMOKED EXPELLED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ON THIRTY SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE COMPONENTS REPLACED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME CONSIST OF THE HEAD GASKET AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURES CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10294464

Incident

Jun 30, 2004

WHEN I PURCHASE MY CAR JAN 2009 IT HAD ROUGHLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. I DID NOTICE THAT WHEN I STARTED IT IN THE MORNING IT HAD A FUNNY SOUND. I TRIED TO BRING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, EITHER NO ONE WAS THERE TO HELP ME OR THE NOISE WAS GONE SINCE THE CAR WAS WARM. I NOTICE SOME SMOKE A WEEK AGO AND FILLED THE ANTIFREEZE FLUID BACK TO MAX LINE, THEN I NOTICE THE ANTIFREEZE WAS DOWN PAST THE MIN LINE AGAIN, WITH NO ANTIFREEZE ON THE GROUND??? TOOK IT IN THE SHOP AND HE GAVE A LIST OF THIS WRONG, INTAKE MANIFOLD VALVES ALWAYS OPEN, BANK 1 & 2 LEAN, HE REPLACE MY "T" CONNECTOR, JUST TO NAME SOME.. OH YEAH AND NOISE COMING FROM THREE DIFFERENT PLACES.. VALVE TRAN, WATER PUMP/TIMING BELT AND THE ALTERNATOR. NO HE TOLD ME IT WILL COST THOUSAND OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10293618

Incident

Nov 24, 2009

Mileage

75,000 mi