NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
88 reportsClear category filter78,000 miles · Nov 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 LAND ROVER FREELAND - BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF COOLANT. MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS TO LOCAL GARAGE - THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAK. CHECKED WEB SITE - IT'S A WELL-KNOWN ENGINE FLAW WITH THE FREELAND THAT LEADS TO ENGINE FAILURE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2003 FROM LR DEALER. TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE ISSUED BACK IN 20…
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2003 LAND ROVER FREELAND - BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF COOLANT. MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS TO LOCAL GARAGE - THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAK. CHECKED WEB SITE - IT'S A WELL-KNOWN ENGINE FLAW WITH THE FREELAND THAT LEADS TO ENGINE FAILURE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2003 FROM LR DEALER. TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE ISSUED BACK IN 2005. WENT TO DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY - $8000-$10000 TO REPLACE ENGINE IF THEY COULD GET ONE. EVIDENTLY, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET ENGINES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT KNOWS THE PROBLEM WELL - TOLD ME MY CAR WAS JUNK AND LR WAS WELL AWARE. ASKED WHAT WAS DONE FOR OWNERS SINCE IT WAS A WELL KNOWN DOCUMENTED DESIGN FLAW. NOTHING! TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN SOONER. LR IS JUST PREYING ON THE INNOCENT PUBLIC BY REFUSING TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS CLEARLY OF THEIR OWN MAKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367350
82,530 miles · Sep 29, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
03 FREELANDER, PURCHASED USED WITH 74,000 MILES. ENGINE HAD KNOCKING NOISE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT WAS "NORMAL", NOT EVEN NINETY DAYS LATER FUEL PUMP FAILED. OK, NO BIG DEAL. TOWED CAR 90 MILES TO LR DEALER FOR COVERED PART. WAS DETERMINED AT LR DEALER THAT THERE WERE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH ENGINE AND VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE…
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03 FREELANDER, PURCHASED USED WITH 74,000 MILES. ENGINE HAD KNOCKING NOISE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT WAS "NORMAL", NOT EVEN NINETY DAYS LATER FUEL PUMP FAILED. OK, NO BIG DEAL. TOWED CAR 90 MILES TO LR DEALER FOR COVERED PART. WAS DETERMINED AT LR DEALER THAT THERE WERE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH ENGINE AND VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. COOLANT MIXING WITH OIL, ETC. HAVE READ ALL OF THE ISSUES I AM EXPERIENCING IN FORUMS ONLINE. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND LR NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358236
73,000 miles · Sep 10, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline
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…
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10354938
110,000 miles · Aug 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 LANDROVER FREELAND - BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF COOLANT. MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS TO LOCAL GARAGE - THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAK. LOCAL GARAGE CONTACTED LANDROVER. TURNS OUT NOT SO MYSTERIOUS LEAK. IT'S A WELL KNOW ENGINE FLAW WITH THE FREELAND THAT LEADS TO ENGINE FAILURE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2007 FROM LR …
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2003 LANDROVER FREELAND - BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF COOLANT. MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS TO LOCAL GARAGE - THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAK. LOCAL GARAGE CONTACTED LANDROVER. TURNS OUT NOT SO MYSTERIOUS LEAK. IT'S A WELL KNOW ENGINE FLAW WITH THE FREELAND THAT LEADS TO ENGINE FAILURE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2007 FROM LR DEALER. TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE ISSUED BACK IN 2005. WENT TO DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY - $8000-$10000 TO REPLACE ENGINE IF THEY COULD GET ONE. EVIDENTLY, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET ENGINES. I PAID $11600 FOR THE CARE 2.5 YRS AGO. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS KNOWS THE PROBLEM WELL - TOLD ME MY CAR WAS JUNK AND LR WAS WELL AWARE. ASKED WHAT WAS DONE FOR OWNERS SINCE IT WAS A WELL KNOWN DOCUMENTED DESIGN FLAW. NOTHING! TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN SOONER. HECK - THERE IS EVENT A YOUTUBE VIDEO POSTED BY ANOTHER LR DEALERSHIP WHICH SHOWS EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX IT. LR IS JUST PREYING ON THE INNOCENT PUBLIC BY REFUSING TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS CLEARLY OF THEIR OWN MAKING. LANDROVER IS A -0- INTEGRITY CORP!!!
NHTSA ODI #10347422
97,000 miles · Jun 10, 2010
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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 BRA…
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335591
51,483 miles · May 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TIMING BELT AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AGAIN AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN REPLACED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TIMING BELT AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AGAIN AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN REPLACED THE OVER FLOW RESERVOIR AND HOSES. WHEN THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED THE THIRD TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AIR IN THE ENGINE, WHICH WAS REMOVED; YET, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE. THE CONTACT REFUSED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND NOTIFY HER OF THE RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,483 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,900.
NHTSA ODI #10332492
79,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I TOOK MY CAR TO TUFFY SERVICE CENTER ON 02/16/2008 TO HAVE MY CAR SERVICED FOR A TIMING BELT. AFTER THEY CHANGED THE BELT AND PUT EVERYTHING BACK . THE ODOMETER SWITCHED FROM MILEAGE TO KILOMETERS. WHEN TALKING TO DEALERSHIPS, THEY MENTION THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT IS COMMON. IF IT IS COMMON WHY THEY DO NOT RECALL…
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I TOOK MY CAR TO TUFFY SERVICE CENTER ON 02/16/2008 TO HAVE MY CAR SERVICED FOR A TIMING BELT. AFTER THEY CHANGED THE BELT AND PUT EVERYTHING BACK . THE ODOMETER SWITCHED FROM MILEAGE TO KILOMETERS. WHEN TALKING TO DEALERSHIPS, THEY MENTION THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT IS COMMON. IF IT IS COMMON WHY THEY DO NOT RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318166
40,000 miles · Feb 21, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312582
61,000 miles · Jan 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT IS LEAKING VISIBLY IN COOLANT BOWL. I ADD COOLANT ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND DEALER TELLS ME TO REPLACE THERMOSTAT ($1,000). COOLANT STILL LEAKING VISIBLY SO THEY REPLACE BOWL. COOLANT STILL LEAKING VISIBLY. I HAVE FOGGY WINDOWS AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THIS IS VAPOR FROM THE COOLANT LEAKAGE. SO NOW I AM INHALING COOLANT…
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COOLANT IS LEAKING VISIBLY IN COOLANT BOWL. I ADD COOLANT ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND DEALER TELLS ME TO REPLACE THERMOSTAT ($1,000). COOLANT STILL LEAKING VISIBLY SO THEY REPLACE BOWL. COOLANT STILL LEAKING VISIBLY. I HAVE FOGGY WINDOWS AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THIS IS VAPOR FROM THE COOLANT LEAKAGE. SO NOW I AM INHALING COOLANT (GLYCOL) WHICH IS PROBABLY A TOXIC CHEMICAL. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATING SENSOR WHERE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING STILL. COST IS $1100, DEALER TELLS ME AT LEAST I DON'T HAVE THE BIG PROBLEM. I SAY, WHAT IS THAT? HE SAYS THE COOLANT CAN LEAK IN ABOUT 1/3 OF THE FREELANDERS AND IT CAN RUIN THE ENGINE. THE COST OF A REBUILT ENGINE IS $7,000. THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE AND WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10299084
59,500 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
KNOWN DEFECTIVE METAL USED IN ENGINE WITH THIS MODEL... CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND ENGINE FAILURE, COOLANT LOSS... ETC. FIRST OVERHEATING IN MY OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR... BUSTED THERMOSTAT 1500.00 REPAIR ESTIMATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298674
Official recalls
5Feb 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.
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.
Oct 7, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AN INCORRECT WELD NUT WAS INSTALLED. LACK OF THIS BOLT COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE SUBFRAME TO CRACK OR BECOME DEFORMED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A CRACKED OR DEFORMED SUBFRAME COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO INSTABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE SUBFRAME FIXING IS CORRECTLY FITTED AND CLAMPED UP. IF NECESSARY, THE SUBFRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS CORRECT WELD NUTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
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.
May 5, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CHILD DOOR LOCK ON THE LEFT HAND REAR DOOR CAN BECOME DISENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A CHILD BEING ABLE TO OPEN A REAR DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND REAR LATCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 4, 2004. 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
3EA07018 · Fuel Pump Failure - Stall
Opened Dec 7, 2007 · Closed Dec 22, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES FOUND THAT CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND GENERALLY RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, THESE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW RATES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION WHEN COMPARED WITH PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF ENGINE STALL CONSEQUENCES.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION.
PE07036 · Fuel Pump Failure
Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 10, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE07-036 ON JULY 17, 2007, BASED ON THREE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER VEHICLES.IN EACH INCIDENT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIRS. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, FORD PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINT INFORMATION, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 9,985 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 48 MONTHS OR 50,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.FORD CATEGORIZED THE DATA BY ENGINE STALLS THAT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STALLS WITH AN UNKNOWN DRIVING CONDITION, NO START CONDITIONS AND OTHER DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS. ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED A 6.7% FUEL PUMP WARRANTY CLAIM RATE FOR ALL CONDITIONS AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 YEARS OF SERVICE, INCLUDING 1.4% CATEGORIZED AS A STALL WHILE DRIVING EVENT AND 2.1% CATEGORIZED AS A STALL WITH AN UNKNOWN DRIVING CONDITION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-018) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE07-036 ON JULY 17, 2007, BASED ON THREE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER VEHICLES.IN EACH INCIDENT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIRS. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, FORD PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINT INFORMATION, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 9,985 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 48 MONTHS OR 50,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.FORD CATEGORIZED THE DATA BY ENGINE STALLS THAT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STALLS WITH AN UNKNOWN DRIVING CONDITION, NO START CONDITIONS AND OTHER DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS. ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED A 6.7% FUEL PUMP WARRANTY CLAIM RATE FOR ALL CONDITIONS AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 YEARS OF SERVICE, INCLUDING 1.4% CATEGORIZED AS A STALL WHILE DRIVING EVENT AND 2.1% CATEGORIZED AS A STALL WITH AN UNKNOWN DRIVING CONDITION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-018) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE07-036 ON JULY 17, 2007, BASED ON THREE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER VEHICLES.IN EACH INCIDENT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIRS. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, FORD PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINT INFORMATION, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 9,985 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 48 MONTHS OR 50,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.FORD CATEGORIZED THE DATA BY ENGINE STALLS THAT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STALLS WITH AN UNKNOWN DRIVING CONDITION, NO START CONDITIONS AND OTHER DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS. ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED A 6.7% FUEL PUMP WARRANTY CLAIM RATE FOR ALL CONDITIONS AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 YEARS OF SERVICE, INCLUDING 1.4% CATEGORIZED AS A STALL WHILE DRIVING EVENT AND 2.1% CATEGORIZED AS A STALL WITH AN UNKNOWN DRIVING CONDITION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-018) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
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
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