Engine Cooling System Problems of Land Rover Freelander - part 1

Engine failure on the road.

See all problems of the 2002 Land Rover Freelander 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2004 Land Rover Freelander 🔎.

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 the fuel system replacement. Now the engine needs to be replaced and I can't trade it, no one wiill take it. The car has been regularly serviced and only 68000 miles.

Check engine light comes on, defective thermostat, cracked engine hoses, cracked manifold, coolant leaking into engine due to slipped sleave - this causes car to randomly go from driving fine to not being able to accelerate. Additionally, wipers go on when they are not turned on, window controls do not work.

See all problems of the 2005 Land Rover Freelander 🔎.

2003 Land Rover freeland - began to experience a mysterious loss of coolant. Made multiple trips to local garage - they were unable to locate leak. Checked web site - it's a well-known engine flaw with the freeland that leads to engine failure. I bought this car in 2003 from lr dealer. Technical bulletins were issued back in 2005. Went to dealership yesterday - $8000-$10000 to replace engine if they could get one. Evidently, it's difficult to get engines. Service department knows the problem well - told me my car was junk and lr was well aware. Asked what was done for owners since it was a well known documented design flaw. Nothing! told me I was lucky it did not happen sooner. Lr is just preying on the innocent public by refusing to deal with what is clearly of their own making.

See all problems of the 2003 Land Rover Freelander 🔎.

Engine in 2004 Land Rover Freelander was a total loss after coolant leak into engine. Land rover continues to deny there is a defect. Local service manager says it would take $13,000 to replace the engine, which cannot be repaired. That was four months after spending $3,000 to replace engine parts manager said would correct problems.

The contact owns a 2004 Land Rover Freelander. The contact stated that the coolant was leaking internally into the engine. The dealer inspected the engine and stated that it needed to be replaced instead of repaired. The manufacturer stated that they will offer the contact money for the vehicle, but at a reduced rate because of the engine. The dealer stated that was an usual practice because the manufacturer does not stand behind their vehicles. The failure and current mileages were 70000. Updated 02/03/lj the consumer also stated when the heat was turned on, an odor would emit. Updated 03/17/11.

Engine needed to be replaced only within about 2 weeks of purchasing vehicle, approximate 5,000 miles later the engine begins to fault again and I was told that it could be because antifreeze was leaking into my engine or one of my head gaskets blew again, not to mention the cooling system failed again and I needed a new o-ring already.

Like the myriad of other complaints about this vehicle, (. . Read more...

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.

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.

Coolant leaking, head gasket failure, thermostat failure for 90,000 miles.

2003 landrover freeland - began to experience a mysterious loss of coolant. Made multiple trips to local garage - they were unable to locate leak. Local garage contacted landrover. Turns out not so mysterious leak. It's a well know engine flaw with the freeland that leads to engine failure. I bought this car in 2007 from lr dealer. Technical bulletins were issued back in 2005. Went to dealership yesterday - $8000-$10000 to replace engine if they could get one. Evidently, it's difficult to get engines. I paid $11600 for the care 2. 5 yrs ago. Service department was knows the problem well - told me my car was junk and lr was well aware. Asked what was done for owners since it was a well known documented design flaw. Nothing! told me I was lucky it did not happen sooner. Heck - there is event a youtube video posted by another lr dealership which shows exactly what the problem is, and what needs to be done to fix it. Lr is just preying on the innocent public by refusing to deal with what is clearly of their own making. Landrover is a -0- integrity corp!!!.

Coolant is leaking visibly in coolant bowl. I add coolant on a monthly basis and dealer tells me to replace thermostat ($1,000). Coolant still leaking visibly so they replace bowl. Coolant still leaking visibly. I have foggy windows and the dealer tells me this is vapor from the coolant leakage. So now I am inhaling coolant (glycol) which is probably a toxic chemical. Now I have to replace a heating sensor where the coolant is leaking still. Cost is $1100, dealer tells me at least I don't have the big problem. I say, what is that? he says the coolant can leak in about 1/3 of the Freelanders and it can ruin the engine. The cost of a rebuilt engine is $7,000. This is the same engine and will most likely have the same problems!.

2003 Freelander Land Rover - transmission died at 40000 miles and coolant system failed 2 weeks later. Dealer will not repair, car is incredibly unreliable and hence unsafe.

When I purchase my car Jan 2009 it had roughly 56,000 miles on it. I did notice that when I started it in the morning it had a funny sound. I tried to bring back to the dealership several times to have it looked at, either no one was there to help me or the noise was gone since the car was warm. I notice some smoke a week ago and filled the antifreeze fluid back to max line, then I notice the antifreeze was down past the min line again, with no antifreeze on the ground??? took it in the shop and he gave a list of this wrong, intake manifold valves always open, bank 1 & 2 lean, he replace my "t" connector, just to name some. . Oh yeah and noise coming from three different places. . Valve tran, water pump/timing belt and the alternator. No he told me it will cost thousand of dollars to fix it.

The 2003 landrover Freelander stalled on 2 seperate ocassions,once in an active intersection with barely missing being struck by another vehicle. The 2nd time ocurred about 4 minutes before the previous instance. Additionally,the vehicle as a whole shouldn't be on the highway. To my knowledge this vehicle has never been in an accident and it's uncertain if it may be refurbished from a area where damage was such that some work and relocation presented it for sale elsewhere. The vehicle purchased at a little over 73,000 miles has been in the shop 14 times in 27 months totalling well over $10,000 in repairs. I paid $12,288 for the vehicle. Intake maniifold gaskets,cylinder head gaskets, head bolts,cam bolts, the famed "coolant leak" that has coolant leaking into the engine causing it to cease up. That's the only thing that hasn't happened mechanically with this vehicle. I ride around, when it's not in the shop,with coolant in the back in case its starts to steam again. Lock assemblys (2x), torque converter motor,themostat and several other issues that make it non-highway worthy. This is just mine, at the emunds. Com automotive forum among the many others I visited there are hundreds of others with the same problems and are left with either, broken down sitting in the driveway, in the driveway after its last repair so miles are kept low for resale or forced to procure another vehicle or mode of transportation, or forced to continue driving it as its their only source of transportation and low resources while still paying a loan on it and an extended warranty company that you hope doesn't dance around the responsibility of paying for repairs that are obvious covered items in the warranty. Finally, if it weren't bad enough to be stuck with this vehicle and not know if it will remain operable for the length of the loan,currently 48 months, I can't even rely on the vehicle to safely transport my wife and daugther. Landrover mechanics can't keep these vehicles on the road.

In mid July 2009, temperature gauge on 2005 Land Rover Freelander began acting erratically. Brought it to dealer in san antonio, TX. Was told this is a common problem on Freelanders, never mentioning what "happens next. " they replaced the gauge and a "leaking" hose. At a cost of $700. Three weeks later the same problem occurred. (temperature gauge began acting erratically. ) drove directly to the dealer. Problem was diagnosed as massive overheating, and the head gasket "slipped" all coolant and fluid drained into the engine. The engine was destroyed and unrepairable. Need to replace engine at a cost of $10,000+. Was told this is a common problem with Freelanders at the 50,000-60,000 mile mark. I was at 60,000 miles just 10,000 miles and 2 months past warranty.

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.

We were driving our 2003 Land Rover Freelander down freeway in portland, or and all the sudden the thermometer began to bounce around, then the car decided not to go anymore and the engine died on freeway !! someone could have been seriously injured for a defect in the motor that Land Rover has known about. Once three transients helped us we got it to a safe place and lifted the hood while clouds of something was billowing out. Car would start but not stay running and all fluids would run right through it. . Land rover portland told me that it would need a new motor. This car only has approx. 65k miles on it. Are you serious!!! Land Rover what a cop out. . . Their should be a recall on this motor before someone get seriously injured or killed. So far nothing can be done to correct the failure because Land Rover no longer carries this motor, what are we supposed to do!!!!.

I am driving an SUV - Freelander se3 of the Land Rover, and have a defect that is getting worse as the car get into highs miles. I can be driving over 50 miles per hour and the service engine light came up, followed by t/c and decent hill lights, them the car have a strong jump and the d (drive mode) change to a flashing "f" "4"- them suddenly the engine shotoff. I drive with the fear that one day I will not be able to pull over and I will be crashing. Another problem is that the vehicle loss total power and stop moving, no matter how hard I press down the gas pedal.

I have had ongoing problems with the engine's cooling system on my 2004 Land Rover Freelander. When I took it to the dealership, they stated that after performing a lengthy systems check, they could not pinpoint a source of the problem. They told me to continue to monitor the coolant levels, add 50/50 coolant as needed ( which was every 5-10days), and monitor my oil to make sure that the coolant did not mix with the oil and cause problems with the engine. I kept routine maintenance and oil checks (every 3k miles) on the car. My car currently has 81,400 miles. This problem has been ongoing for over a year. My engine has finally blown a rod and bearing and requires engine replacement which could cost from $5-9,000 used and $15,000 new. I believe that Land Rover is aware of many of the concerns about the dysfunctional cooling system. I believe they could have been more proactive so that such a problem could have been avoided. . . Especially when I have done everything that they have requested of me. I am not in the position to repair the vehicle and may have to take a loss.

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.

Multiple problems expensive and hard to find parts, fuel pump, thermostat and transmission. SUV stalls in traffic, thermostat leaks constantly and transmission jerks violently in second gear.

I began experiencing reasonably significant loss of coolant over the last few months. I monitored and refilled every time I saw the level below the minimum level in the overflow tank. Over the last couple weeks I have began noticing what appeared to be solidified oil in the oil cap and am growing very worried that I am heading down the same path that so many 2002 Land Rover Freelander owners have experienced. Coolant is clearly leaking into the engine, is mixing with the oil and is in very short order destroying my engine. With 100's of reports of this very same issue it's obvious Land Rover is aware of the problem and based on the best information I can gather has no solution. They apparently don't even have replacement engines available as the model was discontinued. This makes repair completely impossible. I still owe several thousand on the vehicle. Given the accounts of many whose engines have seized while driving I am fearful of driving it. The negative impact of the widespread knowledge of this issue, bad pr, has devalued my Freelander to the point that it cannot be sold for what it's supposed to be valued at. I own a vehicle from Land Rover that does not deserve to be on the streets. To repair it is apparently impossible. Selling it can only be done at an extreme financial loss. The issue is a known manufacturing flaw. I believe it's time the dot stepped up and pulled these cars off the street before something very bad happens and holds Land Rover responsible by compensating all Freelander owners for their manufacture of a very, very flawed vehicle. Please take action and help take an unsafe vehicle off us roads.

I was driving on i45 on my way to work, when my 2002 Land Rover Freelander stopped working without any notice. I had to quickly do anything I could to ge out off the freeway with no power. It was one of the scariest days of my life. Thankfully the other drivers noticed that there was something wrong with the car and slowed and I was able to exit. I had to get the car towed to a shop where they told me that I needed a new fuel pump. I got it replaced and it worked well for 2 month and now its leaking fuel. The motor is also leaking antifreeze all over the place. You need to look into this cars. There's to many problems with it and complaints to go along. Thanks.

I have a 2002 landrover Freelander and recently I ad to put coolant in the car almost every day. The mechanic states it is a very expensive repair job, if the hose can be found and replaced. The car have been inoperable for about 3 weeks now. I love the Freelander, but it appear to be very problematic.

2003 Freelander with 76k miles began having cooling system leaks immed. After new fuel pump and air conditioning fan. I filled the system, ran the car for 30 minutes in the driveway without incident, and told my wife the car needed to r/t to the dealer. (ventura) my wife and 2 kids were abruptly greeted with an explosion of the cooling system leaving them in heavy traffic in a left-hand turn lane. The car shut down immediately. After a tow to the dealer on a Sunday afternoon they were invited to look at new models while they waited for a taxi to take them for a rental. My first report from the dealer rep. Was that we probably needed a new engine at a cost of 12k so we might consider trading it in for a new model. I must add that after the fuel pump and fan repair I found the air intake disconnected and told the rep. About this during my visit to him regarding this new issue and his response was "I don't see how because they don't even have to lift the hood to make those repairs. " after three days of investigation we were told our thermostat and housing were replaced for $600 but we needed timing belts because they could now be heard slapping. I am fairly mechanically knowledgeable, and all of these events point straight to poor product and inept service. Coincidentally, I also found a rubber tube about 4" long sitting on top of my engine after just coming from the mechanic's bay. I have since traded the car in for another brand and will never buy another Land Rover anything ever again!.

I have 2002 landrover Freelander with less than 35000 miles. I have transmission failure, repeated brake problems, cooling system problems, window and door operator problems, to include the lock on the driver side not been able to be opened with the remote. The hesitate when accelerating up hills. I have had to ship the car back to the states for repair. I am not happy with what I thought was my dream car. The company is not helpful. The dealership that repaired my car was very abrupt when they dealt with me. Something needs to be done about this problem vehicle. Too many complaints without any remedy.

Car is constantly over heating with only 68,000 miles. Two days ago while driving down the street it loses all power. Turns out there's a fuel pump issue.

I only have 65,xxx miles on my 2002 Freelander and it now needs a new engine-somehow there is oil in my coolant tank? the dealer told me that it needs to go away. I still owe on this car-talk about upside down in a loan.

We bought the Freelander 2002 in April of 2002. Brand new. Started to have break problems and alarm system problems, along with constant air coolant/broken air conditioning problems that we had to take the car in for repairs. The transmission broke down in 2006 at approximately 30,000 miles. The dealer haggled with us because the warranty had just expired two months earlier! we ended up paying approximately $2,000 towards a new transmission that we now discover has been an ongoing problem for Land Rover Freelanders. Then, as I was driving my car a few days ago to be serviced, the car started to overheat. I had to have the car towed to the dealer and we are now told that the engine has broken down and that we are going to have to pay several thousand dollars to have the engine replaced. We told the dealer that the engine has had well documented defect issues from manufacture and that the innocent consumer should not have to pay for a manufacturing defect. Our car is now undrivable and only has 37,000 miles on it. We are being told that.

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.

2004 landrover Freelander/coolant problems/resale value is 1/2 of $ owed after 4 years. Dealership telling me they won't except this car as a trade in, however were more than happy to sell me the vehicle. Window motors all 4 have failed. Still leaking coolant.

Engine failure. Coolant leakage. Engine overheating. The inside of my car became so hot my mother who was riding in the passenger seat passed out.