NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
226 reports97,000 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
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…
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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 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253007
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2008
Power Train
I TOOK MY 2002 FREELANDER INTO BRITISH MOTORS IN SAN FRANCISCO IN MARCH OF 07 WITH 55,000 MILES ON IT AND ASKED FOR THE 60,000 MILE TUNE UP. THEY SAID NO - SOLD ME NEW BRAKES AND TIRES INSTEAD AND DID AN OIL CHANGE. I ONLY DRIVE 5,000 MILES A YEAR AND SO I KNEW IT WOULD BE A WHILE BEFORE I HIT 60K. I TOOL THE CAR IN WHEN I HAD 6…
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I TOOK MY 2002 FREELANDER INTO BRITISH MOTORS IN SAN FRANCISCO IN MARCH OF 07 WITH 55,000 MILES ON IT AND ASKED FOR THE 60,000 MILE TUNE UP. THEY SAID NO - SOLD ME NEW BRAKES AND TIRES INSTEAD AND DID AN OIL CHANGE. I ONLY DRIVE 5,000 MILES A YEAR AND SO I KNEW IT WOULD BE A WHILE BEFORE I HIT 60K. I TOOL THE CAR IN WHEN I HAD 63,364 MILES ON IT AND THEY DID THE TUNE UP. THERE WERE MANY SLOPPY THINGS THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS TIME BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT AFTER THE TUNEUP THE TRANSMISSION FAILED - AND THEN THEY SAID I WAS OVER THE LIMIT FOR THE MILES AND VOIDED THE WARRANTY. I HAVE SINCE READ ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OTHER FREELANDER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHEN THEY CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THE TRANSMISSIONS SOMETIMES FAIL. I HAD A FRIEND WHO HAS THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN ONLY SHE DROVE A RANGE ROVER. BRITISH MOTORS BLAMED LAND ROVER AND LAND ROVER CUSTOMER COMPLAINT DEPT IS USELESS AND DOES NOTHING. THIS IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY LAND ROVER OWNERS THAT IT IS APPALLING AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE FREELANDER SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED - AND THOSE OF US DRIVING IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN WARNED ABOUT ENGINE PROBLEMS AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS CHANGED IN ROUTINE TUNE UPS. I PAID $2,300 TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED SO I COULD GET MY CAR OUT. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS IN CA. THIS WHOLE THING IS A SCAM AND HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND TIME. FROM GOOGLING: FREELANDER ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS -- II SEE THAT HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT VERY LITTLE GETS DONE ABOUT IT! *TR 1
NHTSA ODI #10252950
75,000 miles · Dec 18, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING, HAD $1200 WORTH OF REPAIRS; NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE FOR $9000. THROUGH THE INTERNET I HAVE LEARNED HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE WITH THE 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER - BASICALLY, AFTER 70,000 MILES IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS 75,000…
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MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING, HAD $1200 WORTH OF REPAIRS; NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE FOR $9000. THROUGH THE INTERNET I HAVE LEARNED HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE WITH THE 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER - BASICALLY, AFTER 70,000 MILES IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS 75,000 MILES AND IS SITTING AT THE DEALER, LAND ROVER "VOLUNTEERED" TO PAY 20-PERCENT; THE LAND ROVER DEALER "VOLUNTEERED" TO PAY 20-PERCENT...LEAVING ME WITH 60-PERCENT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM - AND WILL NOT DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252204
10,000 miles · Dec 2, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
MANY PROBLEMS. 1ST. THERMOSTAT FAILURE BEFORE 200 MILE MARK. REPLACED. COOLANT LEAKS. HEATER REPLACED, LEAKING COOLANT. ENGINE SOUND LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK, NEVER TOLD WHAT IT WAS. SUNROOF BROKE 3 TIMES. TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE. STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT BOLTED CORRECTLY, STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS OFF CENTER. COOLANT STILL LEAKS... *…
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MANY PROBLEMS. 1ST. THERMOSTAT FAILURE BEFORE 200 MILE MARK. REPLACED. COOLANT LEAKS. HEATER REPLACED, LEAKING COOLANT. ENGINE SOUND LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK, NEVER TOLD WHAT IT WAS. SUNROOF BROKE 3 TIMES. TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE. STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT BOLTED CORRECTLY, STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS OFF CENTER. COOLANT STILL LEAKS... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250562
60,000 miles · Nov 23, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249619
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2002 FREELANDER THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2002. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. MOST RECENTLY THE TRUCK WAS UNDRIVEABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT THE BEGINNING OF 2008 DUE TO OVERHEATING. FINALLY SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE IT AND HAVE IT REPAIRED. HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR 5 MONTHS AND AM AGAIN LOSING COOLANT. HAVE PAID S…
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I HAVE A 2002 FREELANDER THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2002. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. MOST RECENTLY THE TRUCK WAS UNDRIVEABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT THE BEGINNING OF 2008 DUE TO OVERHEATING. FINALLY SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE IT AND HAVE IT REPAIRED. HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR 5 MONTHS AND AM AGAIN LOSING COOLANT. HAVE PAID SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS DUE TO OVERHEATING AND OTHER ISSUES OVER THE LAST YEAR. NOW, THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR IS DEAD. LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE CLUNKING NOISES WHEN IT IS PUT IN GEAR. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL GREMLIN THAT MAKES THE REAR WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON. I HAVE HAD THE SUNROOF STUCK OPEN AND HAD THAT FIXED. THE MOTOR WAS TAPPING CONSTANTLY AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THE SOUND WAS NORMAL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE TAPPING NOISE WHICH WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY AND I'M OUT OF MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249560
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY 2002 LANDROVER FREELANDER HAS SPENT MORE TIME IN THE MECHANIC SHOP THAN IT HAS SPENT IN MY DRIVEWAY! BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, I TOOK IT INTO THE ENCINO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME I HAD IT TOWED THERE, THE CAR HAD JUST DUMPED ALL OF ITS FLUIDS ONTO THE FLOOR AND WAS SMOKING AGAIN. THIS…
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MY 2002 LANDROVER FREELANDER HAS SPENT MORE TIME IN THE MECHANIC SHOP THAN IT HAS SPENT IN MY DRIVEWAY! BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, I TOOK IT INTO THE ENCINO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME I HAD IT TOWED THERE, THE CAR HAD JUST DUMPED ALL OF ITS FLUIDS ONTO THE FLOOR AND WAS SMOKING AGAIN. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AND OVER. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CHECKED AND THE CAR WAS FINE. WARRANTY EXPIRED AND PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION -- MUST BE REPLACED. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLANT LEAKING--HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES--STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM. MECHANIC DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE ENGINE. IF THIS IS STARTING TO SOUND FAMILIAR IT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT FORUMS ONLINE WITH 2002 FREELANDER OWNERS ALL SAYING THE SAME THING! WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS???!!!! THE REPAIRS WERE EXTREMELY COSTLY FOR ME AS A COLLEGE STUDENT AND NOW AS A MOTHER OF A NEWBORN I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR OF SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENING! I HAVE EVEN BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS AND EVEN THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE PASADENA LANDROVER DEALERSHIP THAT LANDROVER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND WARNED ME IT IS A LEMON! I HAVE BEEN CALLING LANDROVER'S CORPORATE OFFICES FOR WEEKS AND AM STILL WAITING FOR SOME KIND OF ANSWER... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248874
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
50,000 miles · Nov 12, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S SON WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHILE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ENGAGED. THE TODDLER WAS SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATIO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S SON WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHILE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ENGAGED. THE TODDLER WAS SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS OPERATING BACKWARDS. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR COULD BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10248594
35,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248374
NHTSA investigations
1EA05016 · 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
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