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2002 Land Rover Freelander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Freelander years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Land Rover Freelander are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

179 reports with mileage · 47 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 121 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

26 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

WHAT IS TO SAY THAT HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS NIGHTMARE! I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING ON THIS CAR: POWER STEERING SYSTEM, ENGINE MANIFOLD, COOLANT RESERVOIR, WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, BRAKES 2X, CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, TIMING BELT, AND NOW I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE HA…

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WHAT IS TO SAY THAT HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS NIGHTMARE! I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING ON THIS CAR: POWER STEERING SYSTEM, ENGINE MANIFOLD, COOLANT RESERVOIR, WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, BRAKES 2X, CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, TIMING BELT, AND NOW I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAPPENING THAT EVERYONE ELSE WHO OWNS THIS JUNK EXPERIENCES. THIS IS NOT TO MENTION THAT THE SUNROOF DOES NOT WORK, THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK, AND 3 OF THE 5 POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK EITHER. IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE I HAVE PUT MORE THAN $3000+ INTO THIS THING, AND THAT IS BUT A FRACTION OF TOTAL I HAVE PUT INTO IT DURING OWNERSHIP..AND THE BLUE BOOK VALUE IS LESS THAN $5000 AT BEST! WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW ANGRY IT MAKES ME, AND HOW PATHETIC IT IS OF LAND ROVER TO KNOWINGLY IGNORE THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE SUFFERING THAT OWNERS OF IT HAVE TO ENDURE. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ALONE SHOULD HAVE A MANDATORY RECALL FORCED ON LAND ROVER TO FIX FOR ALL FREELANDERS, AND THAT SHOULD JUST BE THE BEGINNING! I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY LAND ROVER TECHNICIANS HAVE BLATANTLY TOLD ME THAT LR KNOWS THESE ARE A MONEY PIT NIGHTMARE FULL OF DEFECTS, AND THAT THEY HATE TO WORK ON THEM AND FEEL BAD FOR US. WHEN WILL THIS SORT OF TREATMENT BY BIG CORPORATIONS END? WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT? WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ASSIGNED TO ENFORCE RULES GOVERNING THIS SORT OF THING ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING FOR THE CONSUMER? I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THIS NIGHTMARE, TRUST ME, BUT I AM TOO WORKED UP AT THIS POINT AS IT IS. PLEASE NHTSA, DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING FOR US UNFORTUNATE FREELANDER OWNERS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663023

70,000 miles · Mar 11, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

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,EITH…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502392

68,000 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Electrical SystemFireInjury

MY SONS 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER CAUGHT FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 AT 4:00 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED SINCE 11:00 PM THE PREVIOUS EVENING. AT 4:00 AM MY SON HEARD HIS ALARMS IN THE CAR GOING OFF AND RUSHED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON TO FIND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. HE TRIED TO SLAP THE FIRE OUT WITH HIS HANDS…

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MY SONS 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER CAUGHT FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 AT 4:00 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED SINCE 11:00 PM THE PREVIOUS EVENING. AT 4:00 AM MY SON HEARD HIS ALARMS IN THE CAR GOING OFF AND RUSHED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON TO FIND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. HE TRIED TO SLAP THE FIRE OUT WITH HIS HANDS AND RECEIVED 3RD DEGREE BURNS DUE TO THIS. HE THEN RAN INSIDE AND RETRIEVED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED, BUT THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE, THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE WIRING SYSTEM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. WE DO HAVE A CASE OPEN WITH LAND ROVER, BUT THEIR REPRESENTATIVE STATED THIS IS ONLY FOR THEIR INTERNAL USE AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE MADE. MY SON ONLY OWNED THE PRE-USED VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH AND HAD ONLY SECURED "LIABILITY" INSURANCE ONLY ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL HIS NEXT PAYCHECK SO HE COULD AFFORD FULL COVERAGE. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A VEHICLE WOULD CATCH ON FIRE BY ITSELF. WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT HE WAS NOT HARMED FURTHER AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED IN THE GARAGE, BUT WE ARE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT A VEHICLE WHICH HE OWNED FOR ONLY ONE MONTH WOULD CATCH FIRE AND LAND ROVER WILL NOT OFFER ANY COMPENSATION FOR OUR LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358450

77,000 miles · Mar 7, 2009
Electrical SystemPower Train

HAVE OWNED 2002 LR FREELANDER SINCE MAY 2008, FOR AROUND $9,000, HAVE SPENT $4000 ON REPAIRS SINCE. TRANSFER CASE WENT IN THE END OF NOVEMBER, THEN THE TRANSMISSION DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME "FIXED" EARLY FEBRUARY BUT THE TRANSMISSION DIED AGAIN WITHIN 25 MILES OF THE AUTO SHOP, LUCKILY THE WORK W…

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HAVE OWNED 2002 LR FREELANDER SINCE MAY 2008, FOR AROUND $9,000, HAVE SPENT $4000 ON REPAIRS SINCE. TRANSFER CASE WENT IN THE END OF NOVEMBER, THEN THE TRANSMISSION DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME "FIXED" EARLY FEBRUARY BUT THE TRANSMISSION DIED AGAIN WITHIN 25 MILES OF THE AUTO SHOP, LUCKILY THE WORK WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY FOUND THAT AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WAS THE TRUE PROBLEM AND RETURNED IT TO ME "FIXED" AGAIN MARCH 6, 2009, NOT EVEN 20 MILES THIS TIME AND I'M GETTING THE F4 SIGNAL, HDC WARNING, AND THE GEARS WON'T SHIFT. I OWE TO MUCH ON THE CAR TO SCRAP IT, BUT CAN'T IMAGINE WASTING MORE MONEY TO HAVE IT SIT IN THE SHOP FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF MONTHS (WHILE IM MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT) JUST TO SUFFER THE SAME FATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261013

70,000 miles · Nov 13, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

BOUGHT A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER USED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO WITH UNDER 55,000 MILES. JUST GOT IT BACK YESTERDAY FROM THE SHOP WITH AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF OVER $10000.00 AND THAT IS JUST IN PARTS NOT LABOR. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE AND COME TO FIND OUT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH LESS MILEAGE ON THER…

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BOUGHT A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER USED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO WITH UNDER 55,000 MILES. JUST GOT IT BACK YESTERDAY FROM THE SHOP WITH AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF OVER $10000.00 AND THAT IS JUST IN PARTS NOT LABOR. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE AND COME TO FIND OUT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH LESS MILEAGE ON THERE VEHICLES AND THERE HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE THAT INCLUDE ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE WORST OF WHICH BEING THE ENGINE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE OIL. THIS COULD CAUSE THE MOTOR TO OVERHEAT AND SEIZE AND LOCK UP. WHO KNOWS WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE OR WHAT KIND OF ACCIDENT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK . WE LUCKED OUT AND DISCOVERED THE PROBLEMS BEFORE MY WIFE, MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE GOT HURT. THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHICLES AND LANDROVER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248737

29,000 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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 STALLE…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235177

29,717 miles · May 21, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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 …

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228577

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2008
Electrical SystemPower TrainVisibility

LESS THAN 50,000 MILES LANDROVER FREELANDER GIVES F4 FAULT, WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. HAS OVERHEATING PROBLEM, SUNROOF DIED, DEALER SAID NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION, COMPLETELY NEW WIRING HARNESS, NEW ECU, NEW DOOR TO FIX WINDOW FAILURE, AND!!!!!!!!!!!! A NEW ENGINE TO FIX THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM THAT THEY TELL ME IS A COMMON T…

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LESS THAN 50,000 MILES LANDROVER FREELANDER GIVES F4 FAULT, WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. HAS OVERHEATING PROBLEM, SUNROOF DIED, DEALER SAID NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION, COMPLETELY NEW WIRING HARNESS, NEW ECU, NEW DOOR TO FIX WINDOW FAILURE, AND!!!!!!!!!!!! A NEW ENGINE TO FIX THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM THAT THEY TELL ME IS A COMMON THING, AND THEY HAVEN'T SEEN ANY FREELANDER'S GET OVER 65,000 MILES WITHOUT AN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. LUXURY VEHICLE MY [XXX]. DEALERSHIP GAVE ME AN 18,000 DOLLAR REPAIR ESTIMATE. I GUESS LUXURY MEANS IT COSTS A LOT TO DRIVE NOT YOU HAVE THE LUXURY OF DRIVING WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A 30,000 DOLLAR PIECE OF CRAP. READ SOME FORUMS ONLINE. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING EVERYDAY, AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO MAKE THIS LUXURY VEHICLE COMPANY MAKE A BETTER VEHICLE. I MEAN [XXX] I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A HONDA...... AT LEAST THEY HAVE HEATED SEATS TO KEEP MY [XXX] WARM WHEN I WAIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228097

45,000 miles · May 16, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

THE ENGINE/HEAD GASKET ISSUE IS THE REPAIR THAT IS THE MOST CRITICAL AND TERMINAL CONDITION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERS MECHANICS WILL NEVER FIX THE GASKET, SO THEY WILL ONLY OFFER THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, BUT EITHER REPAIR WILL COST YOU MORE THAN THE SUV IS WORTH. AND YES, THE BRAKE PADS AND THEN ROTORS WEAR OUT VERY QUICK…

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THE ENGINE/HEAD GASKET ISSUE IS THE REPAIR THAT IS THE MOST CRITICAL AND TERMINAL CONDITION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERS MECHANICS WILL NEVER FIX THE GASKET, SO THEY WILL ONLY OFFER THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, BUT EITHER REPAIR WILL COST YOU MORE THAN THE SUV IS WORTH. AND YES, THE BRAKE PADS AND THEN ROTORS WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY, BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE (THE DEALER SAYS). I PERSONALLY THINK IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE 2 DISC FRONT BRAKES AND 2 DRUM REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE, HENCE THE WEAR AND WEIGHT ALL GOES TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER POOR DESIGN FLAW ISSUE, AND I WAS TOLD THE DRUM BRAKES WERE THERE TO BETTER ALLOW THE OFF-ROADING. YEAH, WHO EVER COULD OFF ROAD THESE THINGS, THEY FALL APART ON THE DRIVEWAY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227995

75,000 miles · Nov 25, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 75,000 MILES. EXCESSIVE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNINGS. BAD SENSORS. ENGINE NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209858

Official recalls

3

07V041000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 9, 2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. HILL DESCENT CONTROL (HDC), TRACTION CONTROL (TC) AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS MAY ALSO BE ILLUMINATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP OPERATION AND WHERE REQUIRED, ADJUST AND/OR REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES WITH NEW SWITCHES OF THE SAME DESIGN UNTIL A NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LAMP SWITCH IS AVAILABLE IN MAY 2007. OWNERS WILL THEN BE RE-NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AN INTERIM LETTER FOR THE INITIAL INSPECTION WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2007. THE SECOND LETTER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCHES WAS MAILED BEGINNING JULY 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-80-637-6837.

05V300000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Jun 28, 2005

ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE OCCUPANT MAY OPEN THE DOOR INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

04V347000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Jul 12, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT MARGINALLY ABOVE THE PERMITTED 1000 HEAD IMPACT CRITERIA. AT THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE A-PILLAR TRIM WITH A REVISED COMPONENT THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE TO FULLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA05016 · Brake Light Switch Failure

Opened Oct 14, 2005 · Closed Feb 22, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

ON JUNE 16, 2005, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-034) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STOP LAMP (BRAKE) SWITCH FAILURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SERIES II VEHICLES.ON OCTOBER 14, 2005, THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND THE SCOPE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER VEHICLES THAT USE A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR SELF-ADJUSTING STOP LAMP SWITCH FURNISHED BY THE SAME SUPPLIER, METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA, LTD. (METHODE).IN SEPTEMBER 2003, METHODE MOVED THE PRODUCTION OF AN INTERNAL SWITCH COMPONENT, KNOWN AS THE SLIDER MECHANISM, FROM A VALIDATED PLASTIC INJECTION-MOLDING TOOL (?CAVITY 1?) TO ANOTHER TOOL (?CAVITY 2?) THAT HAD NOT BEEN USED BEFORE TO PRODUCE PARTS FOR LAND ROVER.SLIDERS FROM CAVITY 2 MAY BE CHARACTERIZED BY POOR FILL, LACK OF DEFINITION IN THE SLIDER TEETH AND DIMENSIONAL INSTABILITY.CONSEQUENTLY, THE SLIDER MAY BE UNABLE TO RESTRAIN IMPROPER MOVEMENT OF THE PLUNGER DURING NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.THIS MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO FALL OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, THUS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO ENERGIZE THE SWITCH AND ILLUMINATE THE STOP LAMPS.?CAVITY 2? SWITCHES WERE INSTALLED IN APPROXIMATELY 8,763 DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM DECEMBER 2003 THROUGH MAY 2004 AND APPROXIMATELY 3,915 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM OCTOBER 2003 THROUGH MAY 2004.ADDITIONALLY, STOP LAMP SWITCHES IN CERTAIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY SLIP OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AS A RESULT OF SWITCH DAMAGE DUE TO AN INCORRECT SETTING PROCEDURE DURING VEHICLE MANUFACTURE OR AS A RESULT OF SWITCH MOUNTING BRACKET FLEX.ANALYSIS OF ALL AVAILABLE DATA INDICATES THE PREDOMINANT FAILURE MODE IS CONSTANT STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.OTHER REPORTED CONSEQUENCES OF STOP LAMP SWITCH MALADJUSTMENT INCLUDE INOPERATIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR/BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK, INOPERATIVE SPEED (CRUISE) CONTROL, AND TELLTALE ILLUMINATION AS DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) NO. LT206-001 DATED OCTOBER 28, 2004 ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO LAND ROVER DEALERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK).TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 77 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGE STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (10 COMPLAINTS ON MY 2004 DISCOVERY, 45 ON MY 2002 FREELANDER, 19 ON MY 2003 FREELANDER, AND 3 ON MY 2004 FREELANDER VEHICLES).ADDITIONALLY, 4,595 DISCOVERY AND 13,370 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE WARRANTY CLAIMS TO REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH.OF THE 5,170 WARRANTY CLAIMS PAID TO REPLACE STOP LAMP SWITCHES ON DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES, APPROXIMATELY 31% OCCURRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD NEW AND APPROXIMATELY 88% OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF VEHICLE SERVICE.THE WARRANTY TREND ON DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES IS IN DECLINE WITH 3,545 CLAIMS PAID IN CALENDAR YEAR (CY) 2004, 1,303 CLAIMS PAID IN CY 2005, AND 322 CLAIMS PAID IN CY 2006 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 (WHICH IS WHEN ODI LAST RECEIVED UPDATED WARRANTY CLAIMS DATA FROM LAND ROVER), AND IT APPEARS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT ON DISCOVER SUBJECT VEHICLES HAS BEEN REMEDIED THROUGH WARRANTY REPAIRS.HOWEVER, ODI ANALYSIS OF THE MANUFACTURER?S WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RECORDS INDICATES THE FAILURE TREND ON CERTAIN FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES IS ONGOING.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2007, LAND ROVER HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-041) TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCHES IN APPROXIMATELY 33,247 MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE SOLIHULL, UK ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2001 THROUGH MAY 19, 2005. ALTHOUGH ODI HAS CONCERN

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

ON JUNE 16, 2005, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-034) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STOP LAMP (BRAKE) SWITCH FAILURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SERIES II VEHICLES.ON OCTOBER 14, 2005, THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND THE SCOPE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER VEHICLES THAT USE A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR SELF-ADJUSTING STOP LAMP SWITCH FURNISHED BY THE SAME SUPPLIER, METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA, LTD. (METHODE).IN SEPTEMBER 2003, METHODE MOVED THE PRODUCTION OF AN INTERNAL SWITCH COMPONENT, KNOWN AS THE SLIDER MECHANISM, FROM A VALIDATED PLASTIC INJECTION-MOLDING TOOL (?CAVITY 1?) TO ANOTHER TOOL (?CAVITY 2?) THAT HAD NOT BEEN USED BEFORE TO PRODUCE PARTS FOR LAND ROVER.SLIDERS FROM CAVITY 2 MAY BE CHARACTERIZED BY POOR FILL, LACK OF DEFINITION IN THE SLIDER TEETH AND DIMENSIONAL INSTABILITY.CONSEQUENTLY, THE SLIDER MAY BE UNABLE TO RESTRAIN IMPROPER MOVEMENT OF THE PLUNGER DURING NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.THIS MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO FALL OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, THUS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO ENERGIZE THE SWITCH AND ILLUMINATE THE STOP LAMPS.?CAVITY 2? SWITCHES WERE INSTALLED IN APPROXIMATELY 8,763 DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM DECEMBER 2003 THROUGH MAY 2004 AND APPROXIMATELY 3,915 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM OCTOBER 2003 THROUGH MAY 2004.ADDITIONALLY, STOP LAMP SWITCHES IN CERTAIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY SLIP OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AS A RESULT OF SWITCH DAMAGE DUE TO AN INCORRECT SETTING PROCEDURE DURING VEHICLE MANUFACTURE OR AS A RESULT OF SWITCH MOUNTING BRACKET FLEX.ANALYSIS OF ALL AVAILABLE DATA INDICATES THE PREDOMINANT FAILURE MODE IS CONSTANT STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.OTHER REPORTED CONSEQUENCES OF STOP LAMP SWITCH MALADJUSTMENT INCLUDE INOPERATIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR/BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK, INOPERATIVE SPEED (CRUISE) CONTROL, AND TELLTALE ILLUMINATION AS DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) NO. LT206-001 DATED OCTOBER 28, 2004 ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO LAND ROVER DEALERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK).TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 77 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGE STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (10 COMPLAINTS ON MY 2004 DISCOVERY, 45 ON MY 2002 FREELANDER, 19 ON MY 2003 FREELANDER, AND 3 ON MY 2004 FREELANDER VEHICLES).ADDITIONALLY, 4,595 DISCOVERY AND 13,370 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE WARRANTY CLAIMS TO REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH.OF THE 5,170 WARRANTY CLAIMS PAID TO REPLACE STOP LAMP SWITCHES ON DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES, APPROXIMATELY 31% OCCURRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD NEW AND APPROXIMATELY 88% OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF VEHICLE SERVICE.THE WARRANTY TREND ON DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES IS IN DECLINE WITH 3,545 CLAIMS PAID IN CALENDAR YEAR (CY) 2004, 1,303 CLAIMS PAID IN CY 2005, AND 322 CLAIMS PAID IN CY 2006 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 (WHICH IS WHEN ODI LAST RECEIVED UPDATED WARRANTY CLAIMS DATA FROM LAND ROVER), AND IT APPEARS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT ON DISCOVER SUBJECT VEHICLES HAS BEEN REMEDIED THROUGH WARRANTY REPAIRS.HOWEVER, ODI ANALYSIS OF THE MANUFACTURER?S WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RECORDS INDICATES THE FAILURE TREND ON CERTAIN FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES IS ONGOING.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2007, LAND ROVER HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-041) TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCHES IN APPROXIMATELY 33,247 MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE SOLIHULL, UK ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2001 THROUGH MAY 19, 2005. ALTHOUGH ODI HAS CONCERN

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

ON JUNE 16, 2005, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-034) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STOP LAMP (BRAKE) SWITCH FAILURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SERIES II VEHICLES.ON OCTOBER 14, 2005, THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND THE SCOPE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER VEHICLES THAT USE A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR SELF-ADJUSTING STOP LAMP SWITCH FURNISHED BY THE SAME SUPPLIER, METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA, LTD. (METHODE).IN SEPTEMBER 2003, METHODE MOVED THE PRODUCTION OF AN INTERNAL SWITCH COMPONENT, KNOWN AS THE SLIDER MECHANISM, FROM A VALIDATED PLASTIC INJECTION-MOLDING TOOL (?CAVITY 1?) TO ANOTHER TOOL (?CAVITY 2?) THAT HAD NOT BEEN USED BEFORE TO PRODUCE PARTS FOR LAND ROVER.SLIDERS FROM CAVITY 2 MAY BE CHARACTERIZED BY POOR FILL, LACK OF DEFINITION IN THE SLIDER TEETH AND DIMENSIONAL INSTABILITY.CONSEQUENTLY, THE SLIDER MAY BE UNABLE TO RESTRAIN IMPROPER MOVEMENT OF THE PLUNGER DURING NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.THIS MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO FALL OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, THUS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO ENERGIZE THE SWITCH AND ILLUMINATE THE STOP LAMPS.?CAVITY 2? SWITCHES WERE INSTALLED IN APPROXIMATELY 8,763 DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM DECEMBER 2003 THROUGH MAY 2004 AND APPROXIMATELY 3,915 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT FROM OCTOBER 2003 THROUGH MAY 2004.ADDITIONALLY, STOP LAMP SWITCHES IN CERTAIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY SLIP OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AS A RESULT OF SWITCH DAMAGE DUE TO AN INCORRECT SETTING PROCEDURE DURING VEHICLE MANUFACTURE OR AS A RESULT OF SWITCH MOUNTING BRACKET FLEX.ANALYSIS OF ALL AVAILABLE DATA INDICATES THE PREDOMINANT FAILURE MODE IS CONSTANT STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.OTHER REPORTED CONSEQUENCES OF STOP LAMP SWITCH MALADJUSTMENT INCLUDE INOPERATIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR/BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK, INOPERATIVE SPEED (CRUISE) CONTROL, AND TELLTALE ILLUMINATION AS DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) NO. LT206-001 DATED OCTOBER 28, 2004 ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO LAND ROVER DEALERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK).TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 77 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGE STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (10 COMPLAINTS ON MY 2004 DISCOVERY, 45 ON MY 2002 FREELANDER, 19 ON MY 2003 FREELANDER, AND 3 ON MY 2004 FREELANDER VEHICLES).ADDITIONALLY, 4,595 DISCOVERY AND 13,370 FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE WARRANTY CLAIMS TO REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH.OF THE 5,170 WARRANTY CLAIMS PAID TO REPLACE STOP LAMP SWITCHES ON DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES, APPROXIMATELY 31% OCCURRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD NEW AND APPROXIMATELY 88% OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF VEHICLE SERVICE.THE WARRANTY TREND ON DISCOVERY SUBJECT VEHICLES IS IN DECLINE WITH 3,545 CLAIMS PAID IN CALENDAR YEAR (CY) 2004, 1,303 CLAIMS PAID IN CY 2005, AND 322 CLAIMS PAID IN CY 2006 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 (WHICH IS WHEN ODI LAST RECEIVED UPDATED WARRANTY CLAIMS DATA FROM LAND ROVER), AND IT APPEARS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT ON DISCOVER SUBJECT VEHICLES HAS BEEN REMEDIED THROUGH WARRANTY REPAIRS.HOWEVER, ODI ANALYSIS OF THE MANUFACTURER?S WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RECORDS INDICATES THE FAILURE TREND ON CERTAIN FREELANDER SUBJECT VEHICLES IS ONGOING.BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2007, LAND ROVER HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-041) TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCHES IN APPROXIMATELY 33,247 MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 FREELANDER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE SOLIHULL, UK ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2001 THROUGH MAY 19, 2005. ALTHOUGH ODI HAS CONCERN