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.
Land Rover Freelander won't start problems
20 of the 455 owner complaints about the Land Rover Freelander describe won't start, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 47,415
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 5Check engine light 5Stalling 4Fuel pump 4Overheating 3Loss of power 2Jerking 1
What owners say
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 land rover freelander. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the vehicle and the vehicle would not start as a result. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they informed the contact that the vehicle needed a replacement engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
Purch 2/5/07 11,000 miles; car dies 2/27/07; lr replaces starter motor; ignition lock, switch, fuel lock cylinder. Takes til 5/23/07 to complete. 6/4/07 AC leaks, and service engine light on, lr claims evap. Loss control system; between 6/8 and 9/8 car in 4 times - windows inoperable, AC blowing water; 1/5/08 oil leaking and engine runs loud, lr renews a filter, but could not duplicate (cnd) noise; 1/24/08 pass. Window inoperable, engine loud (lr cnd) but installed canister purge valve; turn signal would not always work; 2/19/08 left window inoperable; sunroof stuck open; transmission shutters (lr cnd) 10/6/08 engine overheats, leaves me stranded lr replaces thermostat, cooling fans assembly) at oil change on 10/23/08 radiator full of sludge have flushed on 10/29/08; 12/15/08 engine overheats, leaves me stranded; lr renewed tank; transmission still not right (lr cnd) lr flushes radiator; 3/11/08, front brakes go bad; 2/24/09 coolant leaking (lr cnd) said was coolant left on frame panel from prior visit (are you kidding me?) 5/8/09 engine overheats - coolant entering oil due to defective cylinder sleeve, lr replaces engine (32,000 miles) (now that manuf. Warranty runs out - takes 40 days to complete) pick up car 6/18/09 and service eng. Light is on; 6 days later lr says I need air flow and mass air flow sensors for only $1,220.44; I bring to my mechanic - no charge it was cooling fan left unplugged; 1/8/10 start car and every drop of oil spills onto driveway; coolant leaking and sludgy; runs loud; lr replaces engine again (36,000 miles) (30 days) 3/4'/10 car has no power - my mechanic says intake manifold runner - one works and one is stuck; 3/5/10 car won't start - tow to lr takes them til 3/13 to tell me its starter; I think ignition switch or something wrong when replaced engine twice; sold car knowing had defect. Had 2002 freelander with all same problems. Do something - this is wrong!
My vehicle was giving off service engine faults and then went back to normal, nothing felt wrong about my landrover. A month or so later I parked my car, went into the store, came back out and my lr wouldn't start. I had to have it towed to a mechanic who is replacing the pump. I now ride my bicycle in the north dakota winter. This is not pleasant.
Purchased pre-owned 2003 landrover freelander may 07 and two weeks later check engine soon light came on intermittently. Car was taken to dealership and they said computer showed up nothing. Two weeks later light came on for several days. Was taken back to dealership and they replaced coil wire. Two weeks later happened again and they replaced coil pack. Happened again two months later and local mechanic changed head under the coil pack and car ran good. One month later the car ran hot, was towed to dealership once again and they replaced "something" (the guy I purchased the car from took care of the bill) fast forward ahead 5 months and the valves started clicking. Oil was changed and lucas oil added. Car ran fine for approximately two weeks and then my 16 year old daughter (whom the car was purchased for) got in it from her summer job from the local ball stadium and it would not crank. The car was towed to a garage and he tells me that one of the timing belts broke and warped the cams and a new engine was needed. He said he had all kinds of reports stated that this was a defective engine and should have been recalled. They tell me it will cost 3-7 thousand to repair and I will still be getting a used "defective" engine and will be facing the same potential problem. Thank you in advance for your help. *tr 2/21/10 2003 updated 04/14/10.
Service history at plaza motors overview date issuerepairs date returned 6/7/06vehicle stalled, won't startbattery replaced6/8/2006 6/16/2006vehicle stalled, won't startreplaced ignition switch, key reader7/17/2006 8/15/2006vehicle stalled, won't start, intermittent startreplaced fuel pump8/18/2006 6/5/2007vehicle stalled, won't startsecured started wire6/6/2007 6/7/2007vehicle stalled, won't start, intermittent startreplaced immobilizer 2 times8/20/2007 11/16/2007vehicle won't acceleratereplaced intake manifold, engine, heater core3/5/2008 5/16/2008vehicle won't acceleratewant to replace entire transmission5/19/2008 notes: freelander was purchased on june 3, 2006. Freelander broke down 3 days after purchased.
Car stalled in busy intersection. Speed limit 45. No, power, no brakes, wouldn't start. The check engine light came on. Timing cover, cam gear came apart & damaged the heads and pistons. Sublet oil cooler for clean & rod replaced motor.
Date issuerepairs date returned 6/7/06vehicle stalled, won't startbattery replaced6/8/2006 6/16/2006vehicle stalled, won't startreplaced ignition switch, key reader7/17/2006 8/15/2006vehicle stalled, won't start, intermittent startreplaced fuel pump8/18/2006 6/5/2007vehicle stalled, won't startsecured started wire6/6/2007 6/7/2007vehicle stalled, won't start, intermittent startreplaced immobolizer 2 times8/20/2007 11/16/2007vehicle won't acceleratereplaced intake manifold, engine, heater core3/5/2008 5/16/2008vehicle won't acceleratewant to replace entire transmission.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Land Rover Freelander won't start
Which Land Rover Freelander years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (9 complaints), 2003 (9 complaints) and 2004 (2 complaints).
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