2003 Land Rover Freelander transmission problems

Filed May 12, 2012 · Body, Engine · 350 miles · CA

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.

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 Sep 7, 2011 · Transmission, Visibility · 98,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Sep 3, 2011 · Transmission, Visibility · MI

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.

Filed Jun 30, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 45,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Apr 23, 2011 · Transmission · 83,271 miles · WA

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!

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 Feb 28, 2011 · Brakes, Engine · 25,731 miles · CA

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.

Filed Dec 20, 2010 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Sep 10, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 73,000 miles · NY

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.