Land Rover Freelander knocking problems

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 Dec 29, 2010 · Engine, Locks · IL

Freelander 2002 has had many defects. The transmission failed at approx. 50k miles & was replaced. Power windows failed. A/c hose cracked & repaired. Manifold replaced. Exterior brake lights have been replaced. Electrical power to passenger door lock system have been replaced. Now, at 70k miles the coolant leaking and engine knocking. Not worth replacing engine at this point. This car has cost more to repair than what is was worth. It should be recalled as a lemon & law suit against land rover.

Filed Sep 29, 2010 · Engine · 82,530 miles · DE

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.

Filed Aug 9, 2010 · Engine · 90,762 miles · OR

Coolant vanishing, replaced thermostat and was told the issue was fixed. Continued to have coolant disappear (no leaking under vehicle). Car was running "rough" as well, told cylinder 2 was misfiring, replaced coil when having tune up performed. Car ran well for less than a month, then noticed a "ticking" sound when starting the car that wouldn't go away. Had vehicle towed to nearest repair facility 70miles away, and have been told we have both a slipped cylinder into the block and head gasket failure with moderate amounts of coolant in oil. Thus resulting in need for full engine replacement at slightly over 90,000 miles.

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 Jul 9, 2009 · Engine · WI

My freelander started losing coolant last weekend. I called land rover service in waukesha wi. They took the vehicle in on monday. They told me the thermostat needed to be replaced (a $56 part) and a few hoses/pipes and gaskets for $900. The next day they called to tell me that the manifest intake also needed to be replaced, another $1215.00. The service manager told me that was the reason my car makes a loud ticking noise. I told the service manager that the vehicle started making that noise the first year I purchased it - new. I told him I had it in 3 times and complained about it while the vehicle was under warranty. I got the same answer every time 'they all sound like that, it is normal.' I had another mechanic look at it, he said it was not normal and told me to take it back in. I did, they told me there was nothing they could do. He told me that they couldn't move any further on my vehicle until I talked to land rover directly. My husband called and opened the case. We are now on day 4 and still don't know if land rover is going to cover anything. They have terrible service. When I purchased the vehicle I was given a promise of superior service and loyalty. Now, they won't even give me a loaner.

Filed Jan 16, 2009 · Acceleration, Engine · MD

I have a 2002 land rover freelander. The car is more trouble than its worth. From the truck not starting, windows rolling up and down when they feel like it, engine coolant leaking, intake manifold problems, misdiagnosed from landrover, the locks don't work. The car basically starts when it wants to, it doesn't need a new starter, or spark plugs or an alternator. When driving the car wont accelerate as a car should it rides bumpy as if the engine is about to drop out. Land rover wont help with anything because they say that the company who made the engines for the truck went out of business. Many people complain about this truck. When I took the car to land rover to see what the ticking noise under the hood was they charged me 200 for a diagnostic and diagnosed the problem wrong. The major problems are the windows rolling down, that's a safety hazard when you have people in the car and have the window lock on yet the window still rolls down. The coolant leaking because once a land rover engine overheats you have to replace the whole engine. The locks don't work meaning you cant lock the vehicle also a safety hazard and the car doesn't accelerate past 30 MPH sometimes and its not the transmission.

Filed Oct 21, 2008 · Engine · 60,000 miles · WV

2004 freelander se purchased in april of 2007. Now, (1) continuous coolant leaking, (2) cylinder sleeve has slipped, (3) loud "knocking" noise upon starting the engine, (4) coolant leaking into oil and (5) engine overheat light illuminating regularly. Consulted local land rover dealer, was told that I would need a "total engine replacement." that was my only option. Also told to "get rid" of the vehicle. I still owe approximately $13,000 on this vehicle, so that is not an option. Was told that engine replacement would cost $10,000.00. This problem has been raised by thousands of freelander owners and should be looked into from a legal standpoint before someone gets injured or worse due to engine lockup.

Filed Oct 14, 2008 · Brakes, Engine · 53,000 miles · KY

I purchased the 2004 land rover, freelander in 2006. It has only 28000 miles on it. About a month after the purchase, I had to take it in to replace the window regulator. A few months later, I heard knocking noises under the hood. I took it back in (lr dealership) and they said there is loose washer somewhere. They were not able to replace the part, thus they only repaired the problem. I could still hear the noise, especially from a coldstart. I also had took it in for them to look at an AC problem. It sprays water out through the air vent. I report the problem at least 4 times. Everytime, they said they have fixed the problems. However, as of now, we still have that problem. Recently, we have a thermostat leak at 52000 miles. The SUV maintenance schedules are up to date. The SUV is 5 months and 3000 miles pass the warranty period. I have to pay $800 to repair the leak. Two days ago, will on the freeway (going 70mph), the service engine light came on. Then the engine stalled for a second and jerk forward violently. The service engine light went off and the tc (traction control) light turns on and the 'down hill' car symbol on the dashboard illuminates. The car was unable to start when I turned it off. I then let it sit overnight and was able to start. After the car has started, I notice the 'service engine soon' light illuminate. The SUV has only 53000 miles on it as of now. I feel that this car is poorly designed. Not only it put my life in danger, but it also put the lives of my wife and my 1 year old daughter. When we bought the SUV, we thought that it a safe SUV for our family. However, the incident two days ago almost put our lives in harm ways.

Filed May 25, 2008 · Engine, Visibility · 65,000 miles · WI

Check engine light , ticking engine, antifreeze , oil leak, smelling coolant inside car and numerous other issues such as window regulator , wiper motor and rattling noises underneath car has been my complaints since feb 13,2008. Parts were replaced that didn't correct the problem of the ticking engine, coolant leaks, smell of coolant inside car,and check engine light which always comes on a couple of hours after the dealer returns my car to me. Car was towed from freeway due to breakdown on the way home 15 minutes after picking car up from madison dealership for engine repair. Dealership stated that this was due to an oil seal/oil plug and it was not their fault although they just finished working on the engine. I did not have my car for a total of 30 days not including the prior visits where they took almost 2 weeks to diagnose the problem. I was charged for a rental car during this period. Milwaukee dealership claimed they corrected the engine problem on 3 different visits which I paid $600.00 for a timing belt which never corrected the problem along with a $100.00 deductible for using the warranty. The parts replaced on the vehicle is as follows; manifold assy. Motor assy for wiper blades,window regulator,timing belt and differential front mounting which did not resolve rattling noise underneath car. Milwaukee dealership has also attempted to correct these same problems with no success. The coolant leak is still apparent and the check engine light is on again. The only thing the dealership can tell me is to monitor how many times I have to replace coolant. In the mean time, they have sent me home with a car that has a check engine light on and a disappearing coolant problem. I guess they will continue giving me the runaround until my warranty expires aug 2,2008 just as many others has reported they did to them. Please help!!!!!