2003 Land Rover Freelander: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 5, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 88,000 miles · WA · fire

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.

Filed Mar 10, 2011 · Transmission · 35,414 miles · HI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 land rover free lander. The contact stated that in january 2011, the cooling system began to leak abnormally, the radiator hose fractured from the vehicle and the engine caught on fire. The following month, the engine continued to overheat, the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they repaired the cooling thermostat, hoses and power steering pump. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the intake valves, thermostat and power steering pump were replaced. The ABS failure was not repaired and the warning light remained illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when driving various speeds, the vehicle would jerk violently and exhibit an abnormally loud noise. The dealer advised the contact that the transmission failed and would need replacing. The vehicle was not further repaired. The current mileage is 46, 854 and the failure mileage was 35,414 updated 5/2/11 *cn the consumer stated he no longer wants to pursue the complaint. Updated 05/11/11

Filed Jul 16, 2008 · Engine, Visibility · 24,379 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 land rover freelander. While driving at any speed, the vehicle completely shut down on at least four occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer each time. The dealer has never repaired the failure; therefore, the vehicle continues to shut off and get towed. The vehicle has been to the dealer at least seventeen times for the heating and cooling system. The passenger compartment smelled as if something were burning. A couple of times after shutting the vehicle down, the contact could hear the reservoir boiling. On several occasions, he noticed smoke coming from beneath the engine like steam. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer at least nine times regarding the thermostat and heating core. The vehicle has been to the dealer at least eleven times for the window motors. The vehicle is currently with the dealer after shutting off again. The contact has the repair invoices. The current mileage was 65,000 and failure mileage was 24,379.

Filed Jul 1, 2008 · Engine · 63,000 miles · MA · fire

Vehicle was brought into the dealership multiple times for overheating. After the 4th time the car overheated and I lost all power as it caught on fire. I had to make a dangerous lane change across 4 lanes of highway while losing power. The engine was replaced in 2006 but the dealership said it was just over warranty. The vehicle still is having problems starting and is being towed to the mechanic again today.

Filed Apr 8, 2007 · Electrical · 4,500 miles · LA

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.