2002 Land Rover Freelander: engine failure

Filed May 13, 2013 · Engine, Steering · CA

To begin, purchased the vehicle new in 2002 and consistent maintenance at land rover dealership since purchased. First issue is the engine, seems to make noise like a diesel loud and vibrates. Told that the engine was ok for over 2 years then now all of a sudden the engine has a leak, leaks water into the engine oil area and that the engine needs to be replaced. Only after the warranty expired. Still an issue. Secondly, the transmission began to have issues after the 2nd year of ownership and and was told that this the way the car handles. Third and most important, this car has been maintenanced at dealership, no accidents. The steering began to wobble and wheel began to move around quite suddenly. When I took the car into the service department, they acknowledged that the bolts within the steering pack had sheared off and were broken and needed to be replaced. I stated that this was a serious safety issue and should be covered, even though the warranty has since expired. We were told that the unit needed to be replaced and that land rover knew about the problems however it is not their issue to assist customers. I want these problems fixed. I carry my grandchildren in this car, have kept it maintenenced consistently and always at the dealership . There are no accidents with this car and I want it fixed. I am getting the run around from land rover that it is my issue and not theirs, when it is clearly a design defect all around for both the steering pack and the engine issues.

Filed Mar 11, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · KS

The year is accurate,month and date are approximations started having problems with overheating and coolant leaks. Coolant wouldn't puddle under vehicle,though.but I could smell it sometimes with windows open. Then,one day it would not start. Towed it to land rover dealer and over the course of 3 days,they couldn't start it,either. Was told it needed a new engine.paid out $5800+.now,with 104,000 miles,it's losing coolant,again. They claimed the over flow container was leaking. Had it replaced. And it is still losing coolant.it is not puddling under the truck.I saw,online,where the freelander has a possible engine defect,with cylinder sleeves and gasket problems.do I have any recourse with land rover? Or, could the lemon law come into effect? I,also,have experienced rear window and sunroof motor failures. I am retired. I cannot afford to replace another engine ! Thank you.

Filed Mar 5, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 101,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Dec 17, 2012 · Engine · 49,807 miles · RI

On november 1st my wife and I left la proper headed towards phoenix, az. With the mileage now at 49,807 and approximately 2 hours of driving on I 10 the car was losing power, so I did my best to safely pull over to the break down lane which was next to the on ramp (very scary). I had been driving at 65 miles per hour when the car would no longer accelerate. I had to call a tow truck because after I let it rest a minute or two it wouldn't turn over. When I looked under the hood I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, no smoke, the coolant tank was full, I checked the oil dipstick and it seemed fine. There were no lights that came on inside the auto to signal that something was wrong, no overheating etc. I had it towed to the nearest dealer and was told to come back next morning. I was told that the engine blew a gasket and was advised due to damage to the engine was to replace it. I was quoted a price of $10,000.00! I ended up selling it for salvage for $500 since we were traveling so far away from home and the cost to tow it to rhode island didn't seem worth it. Since then I have contacted land rover and have been given the run around like many other owners. I also have had the chance since this occurrence to check via internet that this is not unusual for the 2002 freelander. I feel this engine should of been recalled.

Filed Mar 3, 2012 · Engine · 95,235 miles · UT

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.

Filed Aug 18, 2011 · Fuel system · 159,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed May 22, 2011 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NJ

Engine failure on the road.

Filed Apr 1, 2010 · Engine · MN

2002 land rover freelander defective engine replacement *cw after taking the vehicle to the dealership, the consumer was informed the engine had a design flaw. The consumer was also informed it would cost$5,800, but the replacement engine also had a design flaw. The vehicle had a coolant leak. The first coolant leak was found during an inspection. The coolant overflow reservoir was replaced due to a crack in the plastic container. The second leak had to be performed due to the thermostat leaking. Upon completion of the coolant leak repair, the technician noticed there was a knocking type noise in the engine. The consumer brought the vehicle back to the dealer and the noise had become louder. After listening to the motor and isolating the knocking noise, it was determined the noise was in the area of the #2 cylinder connecting rod deep into the engine block. A cause was never determined for the failure of the engine.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Airbags, Brakes · FL

Engine issues. Replaced vacuum hose to 6th cylinder. Also, the timing belt is making noise and the mechanic has advised I will need a new engine. The car only has 68,850 miles. Also, have repaired the brakes on five occasions and they still squeak. Had to repair the window regulator. The SRS light and engine service light is on.

Filed Oct 2, 2009 · Engine · 60,000 miles · HI

My husband and I purchased a 2002 freelander type s with around 60,000 miles on it. After owning it for less then a week it started overheating. Each time it would start to overheat, it would require us to immediately pull off the road to prevent the engine block from cracking. I took it into the landrover dealer to find out what the problem could and was told that the cylinder sleeve was slipping causing coolant to leak into the engine and mix with oil and will eventually cause the engine to freeze. The only remedy for this problem was to replace the engine at the cost of 12,000 dollars and that does not include labor costs. After reading quite a few complaints this seems to be the number one problem with this vehicle. Landrover should be at fault and should recall the faulty parts in the engine!

Filed Sep 11, 2009 · Engine · 97,000 miles · OH

We purchased a 2002 landrover freelander with 71,000. Regular maintenance had been performed on car by original owner and we continued it. In the first 2 year of ownership we had to replace the waterpump twice at $ 1,100 and $565. There was a recall on fuel filter after I had it replaced due to breaking down. Now, my wife was driving it and it broken down on side of highway with my 2 year old daughter from almost 2 hours. Shop called said needs new engine because block is made of alloy and cylinder sleeve made of steel. When they get hot expand at different rates. After a while this cause the sleeve to drop into lower block and the engine has to be replaced. It cannot be rebuilt. This cost at least $4,000 for engine plus repair. Do a internet search and see all complaints about this engine. Most go out between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. Please do something about this and not let landrover get away with taking advantage of us citizen.

Filed May 26, 2009 · Engine · 59,828 miles · HI

My 2002 land rover freelander was having cooling leak problems starting at 50,000 miles. It was found that the leaks were caused by brittle heater lines and brittle universal heater joints made out of plastic. The lines failed catastrophically. The lines and joints were replaced costing $50. At 58,000 mi the thermostat had to be replaced because the coolant leak still existed and was leaking from this location. Cost of repair at dealer $1100. At 59,828 mi the engine failed catastrophically. The cause of the engine failure is due to the cylinder liner (sleeve) slipping causing a gap which caused the coolant leak into the engine block. The engine required total replacement. There is no recall against this known problem. Land rover's stance is that they only guarantee the vehicle for 50,000 mi, so they are not responsible for the engine failure. Cost of replacement of the engine is $15,000 as quoted from the land rover dealer. Total consumption of coolant was at a rate of 1 gallon per week, with the exception of the catastrophic failure of the heater lines and universal joints.