NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
9 reportsClear category filter25,731 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
MY LAND ROVER FREELANDER HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR COOLANT SMELLS COMING INTO THE CABIN 20+ TIMES AND HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED. THEY HAVE REPLACED EXTERNAL PARTS, (RESERVOIR TANK, HOSES AND THERMOSTATS) AND NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY ON MY OWN, I FOUND A COMPL…
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MY LAND ROVER FREELANDER HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR COOLANT SMELLS COMING INTO THE CABIN 20+ TIMES AND HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED. THEY HAVE REPLACED EXTERNAL PARTS, (RESERVOIR TANK, HOSES AND THERMOSTATS) AND NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY ON MY OWN, I FOUND A COMPLAINT ABOUT HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS WITH THE K SERIES ENGINE AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY NEW NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND YOU CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ON THE INTERNET. SINCE THEN I CALLED THE CA BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR AND HAD AN AGENT INVESTIGATE. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO SEND IT TO ANOTHER WARRANTY SHOP WHICH FOUND A BAD HEAD GASKET. I ALSO CALLED L/R DIRECT TO TRY AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO DO FOR ME. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT COST $11,000 +, AND THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WILL FAIL ALSO. THE ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AT THE FACTORY. THE CYLINDER SLEEVES ARE THE WRONG ALLOY AND LOOSEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT CAUSING HEAD GASKET AND EVENTUALLY TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. LAND ROVER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2004, TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0036 AND #0026 ISSUED 06/18/2004. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED ME $3500 TO BUY MY CAR FROM ME, AND WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 54,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS A HEALTH ISSUE FROM BREATHING IN TOXIC FUMES FROM THE COOLANT. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH ARE TO MANY TO MENTION IN THIS LETTER. PLEASE CONTACT ASAP ABOUT THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #10385868
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
WELL I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LANDROVER. ITS A HORRIBLE CAR, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE, ALONG WITH A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT THAT WAS LATER RECALLED. THIS SUMMER, MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND OVERHEAT I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A CRACK AND THE COOLANT WAS LEAKI…
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WELL I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LANDROVER. ITS A HORRIBLE CAR, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE, ALONG WITH A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT THAT WAS LATER RECALLED. THIS SUMMER, MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND OVERHEAT I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A CRACK AND THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO MY ENGINE. THEY FIXED THE VEHICLE, A WEEK LATER THE CRACK CAME BACK BUT THIS TIME MY SIXTEEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND IT BEGAN TO SMOKE LEAVING HER STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT WAS FIXED THEY REPLACED THE PIPE AND FIXED THE CRACK. 2 DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED SHE WAS AGAIN STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY, AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP. WE WERE TOLD BY OUR MECHANIC THAT I NOW NEEDED TO REPLACE MY ENGINE FOR THE THIRD TIME AND IT WAS A COMPLETE LEMON. I CALLED LANDROVER AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE, AND SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. I BEGAN TO READ REVIEWS ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND THIS APPARENTLY HAS HAPPENED TO ABOUT 85 % OF THE VEHICLES. PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR SO PEOPLE KNOW THE DANGERS OF THIS VEHICLE , AND ME AND THE REST OF THE LANDROVER OWNERS CAN GET JUSTICE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283589
100,000 miles · Feb 27, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train
PRIOR TO THIS MAJOR PROBLEM, THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL MINOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES: WINDOWS GETTING STUCK IN UP AND DOWN POSITION, REAR WIPER MALFUNCTION; ALSO, UNABLE TO DEFROST DRIVER'S SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR ISSUES THAT WERE NOT QUICK FIXES: 1. BRAKE WORK 2. CAR GOT STUCK IN GEAR…
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PRIOR TO THIS MAJOR PROBLEM, THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL MINOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES: WINDOWS GETTING STUCK IN UP AND DOWN POSITION, REAR WIPER MALFUNCTION; ALSO, UNABLE TO DEFROST DRIVER'S SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR ISSUES THAT WERE NOT QUICK FIXES: 1. BRAKE WORK 2. CAR GOT STUCK IN GEAR AND WAS UNABLE TO REVERSE. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, CAR HAS BEEN REVVING WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 20MPH. MOST RECENTLY, IT BRAKED HARD AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE BRAKE. CURRENTLY, THE CAR IS FLASHING F AND 4 IN THE DASH DISPLAY AND IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO CLIMB EVEN THE SLIGHTEST OF INCLINES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC AT THE SHOP BELIEVES THE TRANSMISSION IS "SHOT", BUT SUGGESTED HAVING IT DIAGNOSED AT A MR. TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260230
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
POOR MECHANICAL DESIGN ON 2003 FREELANDER LAND ROVER WITH 75,000 MILES LEADING TO NUMEROUS MECHANICAL FAILURES. LOW MILEAGE (40,000 TO 70,000) FAILURE OF VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCLUDING: BRAKES (TWICE), FUEL PUMP, AND WATER PUMP. OVER $5,000 IN REPAIRS. ENGINE NOW LEAKING COOLANT INDICATING HEAD GASKET AND EVENTUAL ENGINE FAILURE…
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POOR MECHANICAL DESIGN ON 2003 FREELANDER LAND ROVER WITH 75,000 MILES LEADING TO NUMEROUS MECHANICAL FAILURES. LOW MILEAGE (40,000 TO 70,000) FAILURE OF VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCLUDING: BRAKES (TWICE), FUEL PUMP, AND WATER PUMP. OVER $5,000 IN REPAIRS. ENGINE NOW LEAKING COOLANT INDICATING HEAD GASKET AND EVENTUAL ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256980
488,000 miles · Nov 12, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE LAND ROVER FREELANDER IS NOT A SAFE CAR. I FEEL THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS CAR. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AM SEEING ON THE INTERNET THAT MY FELLOW FREELANDER OWNERS ARE HAVING SUNROOF PROBLEMS, BRAKES, OIL LEAKS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT LOW MILEAG…
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THE LAND ROVER FREELANDER IS NOT A SAFE CAR. I FEEL THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS CAR. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AM SEEING ON THE INTERNET THAT MY FELLOW FREELANDER OWNERS ARE HAVING SUNROOF PROBLEMS, BRAKES, OIL LEAKS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT LOW MILEAGE, HEATER CORE LEAK THAT CAUSE WINDOWS TO MIST AT 30,000-40,000 MILES THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR CONSUMERS AND I FEEL THE NHTSA NEEDS TO CHECK INTO THESE MANY DEFECTS AND HAVE LAND ROVER PAY THESE CONSUMERS THERE MONEY BACK AND SAVE LIVES. I HAVE HAD MY SUNROOF FIXED TWICE WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD A OIL LEAK WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES, PRESENTLY I AM DEALING WITH A HEATER CORE LEAK AT 50.400 JUST WHEN MY WARRANTY IS UP AND THIS IS GOING TO COST ME 1,000 DOLLARS AND ALL LAND ROVER HAD TO SAY WAS I AM SORRY. I EXPECT A CAR LIKE LAND ROVER TO BE MORE DEPENDABLE THAN THAT, WITH LOW MILEAGE AND ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. I FEEL THIS IS TO MANY PROBLEMS FOR A CAR THAT LAND ROVER CLAIMS TO BE RUGGED, TOUGH AND DEPENDABLE. I TRULY HOPE THAT NHTSA CAN HELP MYSELF AND MY FELLOW CONSUMERS WITH THE DEFECTS WE ARE HAVING WITH THIS CAR AND PROVIDE CONSUMER SAFETY THAT WE ALL NEED DURING THESE TOUGH TIMES. THANK YOU. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173222
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER 1. DEFECTIVE ENGINE 2.DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.DEFECTIVE SUNROOF. *JB 4.DEFECTIVE MARKER LIGHT 5.DEFECTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM
NHTSA ODI #10102809
18,000 miles · Nov 23, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10101557
1,800 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE PADS ON 2003 LAND ROVER FREELANDER SE.*MR THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 18000 MILES. THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS WAS COMMON WITH LAND ROVER'S. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10089551
15,000 miles · Jul 23, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES AT ONLY 15,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, THESE ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE IT IS A "WEAR & TEAR ITEM".
NHTSA ODI #10028927
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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