10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,133 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.

2004 Land Rover Freelander engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Land Rover Freelander Owner Comments

problem #18

Dec 212010

Freelander 6-cyl

  • 45,370 miles

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

I purchased my Freelander brand new in July 2004. At approximately 45,000 miles the engine suddenly overheated. I took it the dealership the next day. They said there is a defect in the engine block and that this particular model leaks oil into the head gasket causing the engine to fail. They replaced my entire engine under the manufacturers warranty at no charge. This was July 2007. Now I'm at 75,000 miles on the vehicle (only 30,000 miles on this engine) and the dealership's shop says to "get ride of it"...I will need a new engine because it is leaking oil onto the head gasket. I cannot afford to purchase a new engine for my car and can't in good conscience sell the vehicle to someone else...this puts me in terrible dilemma and one which I feel the manufacturer is responsible for. I contacted the manufacturers district office last week and am still waiting for a response. I am also trying to find legal help in this situation. Also, there has been ongoing problems with a "cackling" noise in the right front wheel well. I've addressed it many times with the dealership. They said they fixed it but it still makes noise. They said its a busing part (I believe).

- Conshohocken, PA, USA

problem #17

Dec 102009

Freelander 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The Land Rover Freelander was continued to be manufactured with a faulty engine block that causes coolant to leak into the engine which results in needing to replace the engine at consumers expense. It is very irresponsible to knowingly produce a vehicle that has such a problem. Unfortunately for the Land Rover Freelander owners this engine issue has only been discovered by first hand experience....hence the numerous consumer complaints to which Land Rover has done nothing about.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #16

Jul 252010

Freelander

  • 90,762 miles
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.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #15

Feb 122009

Freelander

  • 59,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Land Rover Freelander. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated and caused engine failure. The instrument panel lights illuminated and coolant leaked inside the engine and crankshaft. The dealer stated that the air tanks were under warranty and the failures were due to wear and tear. The timing belt was repaired. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 59,000 and current mileage was 87,000.

- West Dundee, IL, USA

problem #14

Dec 192007

Freelander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Land Rover Freelander. While driving 55 mph, the engine failed. The vehicle had to be towed to a dealer and has been there ever since. The contact was informed that the only remedy would be to install a rebuilt engine in the vehicle. He was informed that this was such a common issue that there were no engines available at that time. The contact would have to wait six weeks for the repair. The head gasket failed and caused antifreeze to mix with oil, which destroyed the engine. In addition, the vehicle lost complete power during the failure. The contact stated that the cylinder liners were made of steel and the rest of the engine was aluminum. When the engine heated, the part collapsed into the aluminum parts, which caused the engine to fail and the power to shut off. The failure occurred on one occasion. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle after it stalled. The current and failure mileages were 45,000. Updated 7/14/09 updated 07/17/09.

- Norwood, PA, USA

problem #13

Dec 192007

Freelander

  • 45,000 miles
Engine failure while driving.

- Norwood, PA, USA

problem #12

Jun 042009

Freelander

  • 64,000 miles

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

I noticed that my fan was running louder than normal after I parked my car. I check the engine coolant I was pretty low. I filled the coolant to the max amount. The next day noticed that there was a humming sound when I parked my vehicle for the night. I noticed that the coolant was already gone from replacing it the day prior. I didn't notice any leaks or puddles under the car. When I tried to start the car a day later it sounded like a tractor. Once I put in gear it would not accelerate well. It would barely go over 20. The check engine light came on. I decided to park my car and get a rental and have the car towed to the Land Rover dealer. I dropped the car off and was told later that my car 3 cylinders had failed. That I would need to replace the engine. I don't understand how you can go to running great to not running at all. I kept up with all the required maintenance. Now I have a car that doesn't run. I still owe $15,000 and it is going to cost $10,000 to repair. I have no options. Noticing the problems by other people, Land Rover is aware of the defect and should have replace the engines or components that were defective. The is affecting peoples livelihood. We need to get a class action lawsuit started. I am living now out of a rental. This economy right now I can just afford what I have. I don't have the extra money to get another car because the one I'm still paying off is inoperable.

- The Colony , TX, USA

problem #11

Mar 202009

Freelander

  • 50,000 miles
2004 Land Rover Freelander hse, engine problems at 50K miles- electrical problems, rear passenger window motor, very costly, bought the car in 2007 with 38K, hardly drive the car cause I travel for work and have rental cars, but when I do drive the Freelander- it causes me money, something will break even if I drive it for 5 miles...Land Rover should compensate Freelander owners because these cars shouldn't be sold to us when the car itself is unsafe and a lemon in the beginning...please- help!! incidental dates are too much to list!!

- Newton, NC, USA

problem #10

Feb 092009

Freelander

  • miles
Land Rover Freelander head gasket and engine failure.

- Wayne, PA, USA

problem #9

Jan 172009

Freelander

  • 51,000 miles
Engine breather valve froze up, the engine start leaking oil, possible fire or destroy the engine. Stranded. The service bulletin out on the issue but the dealer isn't honoring the responsibility.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #8

Nov 202008

Freelander

  • 62,000 miles

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

Engine failure due to the use of varying alloys with different expansion properties used in engine manufacture. The design of engine includes metal sleeves that line the cylinder walls that when heated to normal operating temperature allow the sleeves to slide into the engine resulting in catastrophic engine failure. Lrna is been ware of this problem. The defect has been known since 2002 but it could range back to the 1990's and continued to manufacture the faulty engines. This defect is an accident waiting to happen. This failure leads to total power loss that in a snowy or icy conditions or heavy traffic at highway speeds inevitably cause serious accident resulting in an injury or death.

- Green Harbor, MA, USA

problem #7

Oct 162008

Freelander

  • 62,500 miles
Engine in a 2004 Land Rover Freelander failed due to after 62500 miles due to a head gasket failure. This is the first time the engine failed and has not been replaced as the dealership has quoted 8800 usd for the replacement engine, which I have been told is a rebuilt engine which has already failed.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #6

Aug 132007

Freelander

  • 53,769 miles
One year after purchase the coolant began leaking somewhere, eventually it compromised the engine and it was replaced at 76,000 being covered by our extended warranty policy. Now, after 20,000 our engine is making a lot of noise and is beginning to leak coolant again!

- Rhinebeck, NY, USA

problem #5

Oct 312007

Freelander

  • 60,000 miles
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. 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.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #4

Oct 122008

Freelander

  • 53,000 miles
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.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #3

Nov 082004

Freelander

  • 3,000 miles
Bought the car new in 2004. In less than 4 years the service engine soon light came on over 8 times resulting in 5 vis motor replacements, 2 oxygen sensor replacements and one replacement of the entire intake manifold. In addition the battery had to be replaced twice because it was "swollen and cracked" and the rear window regulator was replaced because the rear window fell and would not come back up. Luckily it did not break and injure anyone when it fell. Coolant level was also "always low." System was pressure tested and no leaks were found but I was concerned about a possible defective head gasket.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #2

Feb 122008

Freelander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Land Rover Freelander. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that there was engine failure due to a manufacturer defect that created a hole through the engine. After the repair was made, the transmission failed and the vehicle will not move. The current and failure mileages were 55,000. Updated

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #1

Nov 152004

Freelander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
In mid-October 2004, I bought a new Land Rover Freelander from the jim coleman of frederick, md dealership. The vehicle has had massive electrical issues. Since November of '04, the "hill descent" light (the lr manual suggests this means a major problem), SRS (airbag) and the check engine light come on several times. Car has left me stranded twice before 2 months old. When we went to get the car for pick up, the car was dead. Other recurring problems include: Not accelerating properly for highway entry/intersections/left turns. Sluggish, hesitant, lunging forward, very slow pick up. A nauseating burning smell continues to come through the vents into the car and surrounds the hood area when vehicle is running or shortly after turn off. Brakes are shuddering and brake pedal pushes back on my foot when stopping fast. I parked and turned off vehicle. Came back to vehicle an hour later with the ac fans blowing on high. Car was off. No key in ignition. Mechanic and I witnessed the rear gate window drop without the car being on and the key out of the ignition. This happens regularly. Air conditioner spits through vents. Water pouring out vents when going around curves. Significant amount of ac-related water on floor. A/C broke completely. No cold air, only fans. A/C light would not come on. Air would come out, only hot air. Fans stopped working. Front and rear windows completely fogged up on trip to Mississippi. Had to use towels to wipe windows down. Drastically cut visibility as windows fogged up. Forced to leave windows down in thunder storms. Drivers side wind shield wiper is dragging at the bottom creating a smeared effect.

- Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA

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