2004 Land Rover Freelander engine problems

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Body, Engine · 86,000 miles · NJ

I have a land rover free lander 2004 I bought it with 30,000 miles on it, it ran fine for a while then the child safety locks mal- functioned. The people who sat in the back seat could not get out I had to open the rear doors from the outside.the sun roof stop working as did the rear windows on both sides of the truck. I tried to start it three weeks ago no luck it was towed to the dealership they told me I needed two sensors $800 then they tested the engine the left side no longer worked $5800 to repair the truck that now has 87,000 miles. I thought these trucks were built to last.I loved the safety of these trucks but what good is safety it they do not last ?!?!?

Filed Jan 1, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 97,200 miles · KY

Vehicle had engine failure and transmission locked up during acceleration. After a diagnoses it was the result of a defective thermostat housing that released the coolant onto the top of the engine. At the current time the automobile has had 39 different problems diagnosed since the purchase date in 2004.

Filed Jun 6, 2012 · Engine · 57,000 miles · OR

My son turned 16 on march 18, 2012. We wanted an SUV that would be safe to drive. We wanted a car with lower mileage. We found a 2004 land rover freelander at a local dealer with only 56,000 miles. Car was in awesome shape inside and out. New tires, etc. Paid $9,500. A few days later took the car to my local land rover dealer in portland oregon to have the car looked over. You know the normal oil change, or whatever else they do on a car at 55k miles. After they looked it over they told me the coils needed to be replaced. And also the plugs. I said sure whatever. $1,200 later I had my son's car back. A few weeks later it had a odor to it, and it was having problems going up hills and the engine was making strange sounds. A day later it stalled. Had it towed to land rover dealer in portland oregon and they told me it appears that is was out of coolant. They thought at first it must be a faulty thermostat or possibly the water pump. Nope. They came back with there is coolant mixing in with the engine oil. That it would another $1,200 to $1,500 just to find out what the problem actually is. Told me if it was head gaskets or something in the block, it would cost at least $5,000 or more to repair. The land rover dealership offered to replace the blown hoses and they told they could get it working again but it was not going to run for very much longer. I checked with other land rover service companies and they all refused to even look at the freelander as they knew it was not going to turn out well. I finally found a mechanic in portland oregon who agreed to take it apart and fix it. They told me no more than $3,500. What was I suppose to do, we paid $9,500 and selling it for scrap seem like a bad idea. So as of today, june 6th I am still waiting for the repairs at a local shop on our 2004 land rover freelander with only 57k to be completed.

Filed Apr 9, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 81,000 miles · TX

I bought this vehicle in april 2010 and have had nothing but problems ever since. It had 79,600 miles on it when I bought it and was told by the dealer that it had just recently had a transmission replaced. They didn't even know how to open the hood - passenger side. 2 months later and it dies on me going down the street. I pull over and antifreeze is running everywhere. The thermostat housing had separated in two and caused the car to overheat. I called the closest land rover dealer and he quoted me $800 to fix it. I searched on the internet and found the parts to fix it for $80. I replaced the thermostat and housing (1 piece) and got it running again. Since then, the sunroof has quit, both rear windows have quit and the rear sliding window won't open by key. The driver side windshield defroster will not work (only the passenger side) and I have never had an owners manual. The drivers side door will not unlock with the keyless entry either. Now I get to the engine - it started running real rough and lost alot of power. I had a local mechanic run codes on it and this is what he found: p0303 - #3 cylinder misfire; p1319 - misfire emission relevant; p1471, 1472 - vis motors evap purge valve flow blocked; p1475 - leak detection pump leakage diagnostic pump reed switch did not close; p 1775 - gearbox fault transmission system mil fault. I asked his opinion and he told me it was probably not worth fixing. He didn't even know what all of this meant. He was just going to start tearing it down and see what he could fix. I can't afford that. I live paycheck to paycheck and I really thought that land rover had a good name and reputation. I emailed and called them and have had no luck to this point. Everything I have seen on this model proves that it is a vehicle that should be put to rest. I am looking for any help I can get.

Filed Oct 22, 2011 · Engine, Visibility · 62,000 miles · MN

Like the myriad of other complaints about this vehicle, (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/webx?14@@.f142477/93#msg93, http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.eea90db, http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/blogspotting/archives/2005/07/blogger_takes_o.html for a tiny example) I too began experiencing the exact same overheating problems not too far past the warranty expiration. It is very, very well documented that there is a complete failure in the cooling system in the freelanders. Can you please, please, please do something about it? I have also had problems with the automatic windows, including one actually stuck partially down currently because I'm past warranty. But that's small potatoes compared to the overheating issue.

Filed Sep 21, 2011 · Engine · 53,000 miles · NJ

My 2004 freelander was purchased from royalty auto sales in little ferry nj on april 19, 2010 with 52,000 miles. We also purchased from same dealer a 1-year warranty from a warranty company represented by the dealer midatlantic warranty company. We put a $6,500 downpayment on the vehicle, and financed $7,000. The problem started within 24 hours after driving off the lot with an overheating issue we returned the vehicle to the dealer who said there was probably not enough antifreeze in it and offered to drive the vehicle for a few days to make sure it was o.k. Dealer maintained issue never happened again and returned the car to us. The car over the next month and one-half continued to overheat several times and require adding of antifreeze with no apparent leak under the vehicle. 2-months after purchase vehicle ceased to start and when towed to landrover was told it would need a new engine and these defects are known about in the automotive industry. To date neither the dealer nor the warranty company has either returned our money, vehicle or repaired the car. Someone should be responsible. Shame on landrover and any dealer that does not research the vehicles they represent as being safe and in good condition to unknowing consumers.

Filed Apr 21, 2011 · Engine · 69,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 land rover freelander. The contact stated the casing on the engine cylinder was separated and was causing the engine to freeze. In addition, the engine oil and antifreeze was mixing together abnormally and causing the engine to fail. The dealer was contacted who advised that whenever the vehicle engine failed, that they should bring the vehicle in for repairs. The manufacturer was contacted who offered no assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 69,000.

Filed Apr 12, 2011 · Engine · 88,000 miles · OH

I purchased a 2004 land rover freelander in october 2007. I have had several issues with the engine and engine cooling system that have caused me to take the vehicle in for numerous repairs. The head gasket needs replaced. The repairs are numerous and expensive. Even the land rover dealers say that these vehicles are junk and almost impossible to completely repair. I am told that engine replacement may be the only way to solve the issue.

Filed Apr 8, 2011 · Engine · 68,000 miles · IL

In 2007 engine failed in the intersection of us rt 34 and york road in hinsdale, il. The police pushed the car to a land rover dealership nearby. The dealership replaced the fuel system but not the intake manifold. Today the manifold is clogged and needs to be replaced. It is clogged from bad fuel from the fuel system replacement. Now the engine needs to be replaced and I can't trade it, no one will take it. The car has been regularly serviced and only 68,000 miles.

Filed Mar 25, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 32,000 miles · NJ

During high speeds (55-70 MPH) car would down shift into low gear for no reason. Check engine light would come on shortly after and car ran rough. On one occasion while pulling out onto a highway the car would not accelerate. Brakes replaced at approx. 11k miles. All recommended service was done on time according to the passport schedule. Stopped to get gas and car would not start. Had to get car towed 40 miles and take a taxi home. I went to arbitration with lrna and I got a 2005 replacement. See my 2nd post about this truck - engine is shot- head gasket broken, thermostat shot, breaks at 25k miles, cracked manifold, cracked engine hoses.