NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,377 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Land Rover Freelander transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Land Rover Freelander Owner Comments

problem #18

Apr 022011

Freelander

  • 83,271 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car just loses power and stops while driving at 60mph on highway. I took it in to mechanic and was told that the fuel pump shut off. After getting fuel pump replaced, the car continues to lose power at random times while accelerating. Very dangerous!

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #17

Mar 012004

Freelander 6-cyl

  • 35,414 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Land Rover free lander. The contact stated that in January 2011, the cooling system began to leak abnormally, the radiator hose fractured from the vehicle and the engine caught on fire. The following month, the engine continued to overheat, the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they repaired the cooling thermostat, hoses and power steering pump. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the intake valves, thermostat and power steering pump were replaced. The ABS failure was not repaired and the warning light remained illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when driving various speeds, the vehicle would jerk violently and exhibit an abnormally loud noise. The dealer advised the contact that the transmission failed and would need replacing. The vehicle was not further repaired. The current mileage is 46, 854 and the failure mileage was 35,414 updated 5/2/11 the consumer stated he no longer wants to pursue the complaint. Updated 05/11/11

- Mililani, HI, USA

problem #16

Dec 182010

Freelander

  • 96,000 miles
I was driving 70mph, out of no where, the car down shifted, "the hill decent! light came on, F4 began flashing. I lost control briefly but regained it.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #15

Aug 262010

Freelander

  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Miller Place, NY, USA

problem #14

Dec 172009

Freelander

  • 97,000 miles
I am having problem with the entire engine system. I spent $1000 repairing the timing belt, yet the timing belt persist with engine failure. Mass airflow meter keep blowing up, I am bought 3 at $325 so far. I have spent another $2000 to get the engine fixed still no solutions. Highlight keeps coming on every time I press the brake light. The car won't speed up check engine lights come on, SRS light is on everything in this car is bad as a result make it real unsafe. Please people try to do something for the people that drive this and hopefully get it off the market.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #13

Nov 202008

Freelander 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
I have a landrover Freelander 2003 SE, the transmission on this car is very harsh, shifting from one speed to another makes very big noise especially when it has been running for long time. Took it to a transmission shop, they said nothing is wrong in the outside and all look good, but after reading in the internet I found out that this type of car has an issue with their transmission.

- Coulmbus, OH, USA

problem #12

Jan 062010

Freelander

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #11

Dec 232009

Freelander

  • 54,000 miles
I have Land Rover Freelander 2003 traveling slight downhill the transmission disengage. The car have 54,000ml on consequently have had rough run and complete rear gear loss.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 162009

Freelander

  • 98,000 miles
I purchased my 2003 Freelander landrover 11/05/08. I have had issues ever since both passenger side windows do not work taillights no longer working even after changing bulbs, fuel pump went lr did replace per recall, transmission has gone, instruments lights with in dash have gone out, tires are balding quickly after replacement.

- Stafford Springs, CT, USA

problem #9

Feb 232009

Freelander

  • 100,000 miles
Prior to this major problem, the car has had several minor electrical issues: Windows getting stuck in up and down position, rear wiper malfunction; also, unable to defrost driver's side of windshield. Car has been in the shop on two separate occasions for issues that were not quick fixes: 1. brake work 2. car got stuck in gear and was unable to reverse. For the past few months, car has been revving when driving between 10 and 20mph. Most recently, it braked hard and suddenly without the driver pressing the brake. Currently, the car is flashing F and 4 in the dash display and is unable to accelerate. The car is unable to climb even the slightest of inclines. The driver was able to drive it to an auto repair shop. The mechanic at the shop believes the transmission is "shot", but suggested having it diagnosed at a Mr. Transmission.

- Bristol, TN, USA

problem #8

Dec 282004

Freelander 6-cyl

  • 32,188 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check engine light on, vehicle stalled & woud not start.

- Holladay, UT, USA

problem #7

Jul 302004

Freelander 6-cyl

  • 24,023 miles
2003 Freelander, will stall or come to a complete stop. Nothing works, no brakes, steering, everything locks up. I was on the freeway going about 75 mph and my vehicle just stalled, this has happened on multiple occasions.

- Holladay, UT, USA

problem #6

Dec 082004

Freelander 6-cyl

  • 31,896 miles
Vehicle loses power, check engine light is on & stays on. Traction control light comes on & stays on.

- Holladay, UT, USA

problem #5

Jul 012007

Freelander

  • 55,000 miles
2000 landrover Freelander - transmission failure at 57K miles. Transmission cost me 1150 dollars to fix. \ the fuel pump failed after another 100 miles. That cost me 1050 dollars. This car was junk. The car has since been in an accident which totaled it. But I can't prove the car was at fault, but I'll bet it was.

- Saugerties, NY, USA

problem #4

Feb 272008

Freelander 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
I have 78K on my '03 Land Rover Freelander and the transmission just went out with the F-4 flashing on the odometer, check engine light on, and the hill descent/traction control lights coming on. Took it to the dealer which I have the warranty through, and they said it needs to be replaced for $3300, and the warranty company won't cover it. It has been in the shop since the end of Feb '08 and I still haven't gotten it back, nor does anyone have any info on it. As far as events leading up to the incident, there was no warnings. It was running fine on the day prior, but then the next day it started shifting hard and the all the lights and codes occurred.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #3

Jun 112007

Freelander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Total transmission failure in 2002 landrover Freelander (purchased in February 2003) at 56K. Two faulty vis motors found, blown left speaker cone, failed fuel sender, faulty heater fan, broken window drive bracket. Total repair cost $6000. No help from dealer, no help from landrover. Car finally unloaded in part exchange for $1,250 just to get rid of it after reading other posts on this site.

- Natick, MA, USA

problem #2

Sep 102007

Freelander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Landrover Freelander ongoing repairs. 1) bad passenger window actuator. 2) bad fuel pump 3) bad ignition/starter. 4) transmission failure.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #1

Nov 032006

Freelander 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 488,000 miles
The Land Rover Freelander is not a safe car. I feel this car is very dangerous to the consumer with all the problems people are having with this car. I am having the same problems that I am seeing on the internet that my fellow Freelander owners are having sunroof problems, brakes, oil leaks, transmission problems at low mileage, heater core leak that cause windows to mist at 30,000-40,000 miles that is very dangerous for consumers and I feel the NHTSA needs to check into these many defects and have Land Rover pay these consumers there money back and save lives. I have had my sunroof fixed twice with less than 40,000 miles, I have had a oil leak with less than 40,000 miles, presently I am dealing with a heater core leak at 50.400 just when my warranty is up and this is going to cost me 1,000 dollars and all Land Rover had to say was I am sorry. I expect a car like Land Rover to be more dependable than that, with low mileage and all of these problems. I feel this is to many problems for a car that Land Rover claims to be rugged, tough and dependable. I truly hope that NHTSA can help myself and my fellow consumers with the defects we are having with this car and provide consumer safety that we all need during these tough times. Thank you.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

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