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Land Rover Freelander

1535 messages,  Last post on Oct 02, 2012 at 9:48 AM

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What is this discussion about? Land Rover Freelander, SUV

Messages Page 85 of 154

#837 of 1535 This Vehicle Is A Total Failure! by dpetersen1

Jun 25, 2005 (5:39 am)

DON'T BUY ONE NEW OR USED!!!!!!! AND IF YOU HAVE ONE--RUN!--DON'T WALK AWAY FROM IT!!!!
 
I purchased a 2002 Freelander S in November 2002. I though I was buying a decent vehicle. In the less than 3 years I've had it, I've chewed through 2 sets of brakes, 2 sets of tires, switched out the throttle body twice, has the on-going TC/HDC light issue, leaking gasket around the rear glass, broken shifter cable, new thermostat - and now, after 72K+ miles, the dealer is telling me I have to replace the entire engine due to a 'dropped cylinder sleeve'.
 
Land Rover N.A. refused to acknowledge that there is a major deficincy with their engines, and said there is nothing they can do. Dealer offered $1,000 discount on replacing the engine (Total cost $6700!) A vehicle this age, consistently highway driven should not have an engine failure. I am amazed that Ford PAG (premiere auto group) has allowed this to continue on all modeles '02-'04
 
As it stands right now, this vehicle is going bye-bye infavor of a Toyota or Jeep. It was great when it ran right, but in past 12 calendar months it cost me close to $2500 in repairs
 
Things to watch for:
• Continuous loss of coolant - cracked coolant reservoir, possible head gasket failure or dropped cylinder sleeve
• Sluggish/no acceleration - VIS/throttle body problem
• Vibrations - need wheel alignment, bad front end, or worse yet - trans or rear seal gone
• Excessive brake wear - loves to eat brake pads and rotors
• 72,000 Mile Timing Belt Replacement - Quoted $2000-$2500 to replace 3 timing belts & water pump
• Thermostat replacement issue - $700-$1000 - and to do it, exhaust manifold has to be removed
 
For an entry-level SUV, the price is great, but the maintenance and construction of this vehicle leaves something to be desired..... What a
LIKE I SAID - DON'T BUY ONE NEW OR USED!!!!!!!

#838 of 1535 Re: 02 freelander abs problem please help [dan35] by junklander

Jun 30, 2005 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: dan35 (Jun 13, 2005 12:04 am)
Hi, I saw your post re: Freelander,
 
I purchased my Freelander second hand at 6months old and still under warranty. It had issues right from the start…had it towed 3 times. Landrover Australia said that they will not assist because it is out of warranty. (And apart from that I had it serviced by Toyota instead of Landrover…like that makes a difference!!...its just their “get out”).
 
Here are my thoughts …..
 
Now that I have traded my 2000 Freelander(for $A10000.00 or $A3800.00 net - after repairs)I would like to add my story to the long list of outraged Freelander owners. Firstly I would say to any prospective Landrover buyers...Don't !!! For any Freelander owners ... get rid of it NOW!!! My 1.8lt petrol Freelander blew its head gasket right on que at 60000kms. I was told by a mechanic that the problem was a design fault in the cylinder linings, and there is no repair procedure. My only option was an engine replacement. The car was "offroad" for 6 weeks and the ordeal cost me $A 6200.00 in repairs and I lost another $A 17000.00 in depreciation over 5 years. The re-sale value of this car is appalling. I asked a Landrover dealership mechanic if this is a common fault with this car..he said "no more common than any other car". I then spoke to a salesman in the same dealership and asked for a trade figure on my Freelander in it's current state and he said..."The trade value will be low because the engine in this model has some reliability issues". Landrover Australia washed their hands of the problem saying that the car is out of warranty and they will not cover ANY repair costs. I have been told by several mechanics that the 1.8lt engine fitted to Freelanders has a lifespan of between 50000 and 100000 kms. Because of the design flaw they will ALL fail and the only option is replacement. Landrover should face reality and take responsibility for this poorly built motor car. Spread the word and take my advise, don't by a Landrover, and if you have a Freelander, get rid of it !
 
I am now rid of my Freelander, but I had to take a personal loan of $A10000.00 which will now take me years to pay off….. all thanks to Landrover !!
 
Terry Edwards.

#839 of 1535 Re: New owner of an 02 Freelander S with 37k miles [freelander_luv] by cb4

Jul 01, 2005 (9:59 am)

Replying to: freelander_luv (Mar 27, 2005 10:29 pm)
I know you wrote that you don't want personal experience info on the ' 02 freelander, but here goes. My brother bought an ' 02 freelander and liked it so much that I bought one. His then went in the shop for a new transmission. Mine went into the shop for a new trans after 20K miles. I liked the look and size of the truck so much that my original plan was to buy the truck at the end of the lease & keep the truck for thirty years. The guys at the dealership told me not to buy the truck because the truck has turned out to be a nightmare for them & the consumer. They told me the transmissions are no good
When I see someone on the street getting into or out of their freelander I ask them about their experience with the truck. So far, every single one has responded negativeley. My dealership is very good. Can't say the same for the truck. Get rid of it. P.S. I think the heat/AC is inadequate.

#840 of 1535 Re: Amber traction control and hill descent lights on [iogier] by squeekywheel

Jul 05, 2005 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: iogier (Apr 27, 2005 12:59 pm)
My 02 Freelander is currently back at the dealership for this very problem! I took it in for an oil change and told them about the lights coming on. Anyway, they took a look at it and found that BOTH springs on the front had come loose and you could grab them and shake them so they'd move. I don't know for sure, but it sounded like from what the mechanic told me everything (sensors, ABS, HDC) are all in that area. They told me they wouldn't let me leave with the car as it's dangerous.
 
I'm now waiting for a phone call to come pick it up. I expect the bill to be around $1200. I would recommend you check that both front springs are fastened in place securely.

#842 of 1535 2002 Freelander HSE exhaust / coolant smell by lrowner

Jul 08, 2005 (7:39 am)

I just had my 48,000 service completed. My freelander has an odor of exhaust / gas mixed with coolnat coming from it. Any ideas what this could be and what may have happened during the 48,000 service to start this?
 
I see alot of head gasket postings, what are the symptoms of a head gasket going bad?
 
thanks

#843 of 1535 Freelander 02 story by deadlander

Jul 11, 2005 (1:19 pm)

Like many here, we purchased...in good faith...our Freelanders only to find out about all the "normal" little problems. My vehicle currently sits in the parking lot...once again... of the dealership awaiting yet another repair...the transmission. Of the ~1250 days that I've had this vehicle, almost 100 days have been in the shop (~8%), and I've not been off-roading unless you count a country dirt-road.
 
I've also had the problem with the front disk brakes, every 20K miles or so, but managed to get one of those "life-time" brake pad guarantees, that includes labor if it's less than 2yrs/24K miles between brake jobs. So far that's paid for itself.
 
The current state of my vehicle is DOA of the Jatco transmission. Even though I brought the vehicle in before the warranty expired complaining of the engine "racing" when it shifts between 2 & 3 gears, they found no "unusual" probem found a told me to drive it until it's reproduceable or a service light come on so they can get a computer code. Well, now that I'm just out of the warranty, the problem is reproduceable...with a 4 & F flashing in the odometer. After almost two weeks, I'm still waiting to hear from LRNA Customer Service as they evaluate "the vehicle problem history" to determine what they plan to do next.
 
With an estimated repair price of ~$4,300 (rebuilt) to ~$7,500 (new), they still have not told me WHAT is broken in the trans (gear, control board, belt, etc)....only that it doesn't work and that it needs to be replaced. To make matter worse, there are no "certified/authorized" repair companies outside of Land Rover according to both LRNA and Jatco Techechnical Hot-line. So there is no one I can go to for a second opinion, isn't that considered extortion?
 
Received vehicle
Check engine light code T1000 - unknown code
Rear view mirror vibrates
Check engine light code P1000 - loose wire on coolant sensor
Rear view mirror vibrates - parts on order
Car unlocks at time by itself - unable to verify
Mirror still vibrates - replaced
Only one key will start the vehicle
attempt to repair ignition key problem
LRNA Recall - diagnostic ground wire
LRNA Recall - hard shift software upgrade
LRNA Recall - thermostat monitor software
LRNA Recall - electric window fuze upgrade
LRNA Recall - A/C hose rerouting
attempt to repair ignition key problem
attempt to repair ignition key problem
LRNA Recall - diagnostic ground wire install
attempt to repair ignition key problem - fixed 04/29/2003
Coolant resivoir low - replaced thermostat
Coolant resivoir low - replaced hose
Check engine light - unable to verify
Service Engine Soon light - VIS motors replaced
Service Engine Soon light - performed technical alert
Service Engine Soon light - worn gasket - replaced filler cap
Replace left rear tail light
Replaced driver side mirror
Traction Control/Hill Decent light problem - replaced brake switch
Inspect HVAC drain tube - Service bulletin 122
Perform tech bulletin B294 ???
Left mirror delaminating - replaced mirror
Passenger mirror delaminating - replaced mirror
Interior smells of fumes - broken cam cover/pcv hose, replaced
HVAC fan not working - replaced fan and heater matrix
Revs before shifting 2 to 3 gear when cold - no unusual problem found
Throttle body inspection and replacement
Jatco trans sensor updates - inspect only
Right rear window lifter not working - replaced
Replaced A-Pillar trim - safety recall
RPM's jump really hight, no acceleration - Need to replace trans
Flashing 4 and F in odometer
 
For what it's worth.......

#844 of 1535 Re: 2002 Freelander HSE exhaust / coolant smell [lrowner] by deadlander

Jul 11, 2005 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: lrowner (Jul 08, 2005 7:39 am)
In my Freelander I had the same smell. It was the a broken cam cover/pcv hose leaking exhaust fumes into the cabin and the heater matrix and fan motor because of a crack leaking coolant in the cabin and being circulated by the fan. In my case the coolant was dripping on the fan a shorted it out. I also noticed a slight fog on the windshield when I used the defroster setting on the vent.
 
Hope this helps.

#846 of 1535 Re: 2002 Freelander - BEST WAY OUT??? by caly

Jul 13, 2005 (5:32 am)

Replying to: deadlander (Jul 11, 2005 1:25 pm)
We have owned our 02 Freelander for a little over a year. We have almost all of the issues discussed on this board and it was purchased with less than 30,000 miles. It has been in service more than we have had it on the road. It was in for 2 months and the transmission and harness were replaced. After the car was returned it went back in and had the lower stabilizer rod from the engine to the frame replaced because of severe front end shaking. We are so frustrated with this truck we want to know the best way to get rid of it. It is only a matter of time before the next problem occurs and the warranty will be expired. We could not afford all of these repairs if it was not under warranty. What is the best way to get rid of the car? I feel bad selling the problem to someone else. Should we buy the extended warranty and transfer it? When the buyer sees all the repairs will they run ?? The other route is to trade it in and take a big loss. Any suggestions or information from your own experience would be appreciated. Thank You Chris

Messages Page 85 of 154

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