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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

FREELANDER 2002 HAS HAD MANY DEFECTS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROX. 50K MILES & WAS REPLACED. POWER WINDOWS FAILED. A/C HOSE CRACKED & REPAIRED. MANIFOLD REPLACED. EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ELECTRICAL POWER TO PASSENGER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW, AT 70K MILES THE COOLANT LEAKING AND ENGINE KN…

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FREELANDER 2002 HAS HAD MANY DEFECTS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROX. 50K MILES & WAS REPLACED. POWER WINDOWS FAILED. A/C HOSE CRACKED & REPAIRED. MANIFOLD REPLACED. EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ELECTRICAL POWER TO PASSENGER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW, AT 70K MILES THE COOLANT LEAKING AND ENGINE KNOCKING. NOT WORTH REPLACING ENGINE AT THIS POINT. THIS CAR HAS COST MORE TO REPAIR THAN WHAT IS WAS WORTH. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS A LEMON & LAW SUIT AGAINST LAND ROVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373264

120,840 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

1 NUMEROUS PROBLEMS OVER SEVERAL YEARS, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT AND OIL. AND YESTERDAY, A STRONG SMELL OF HOT OIL, AND SUDDEN SQUEALING FROM RIGHT, FRONT WHEEL. 2 COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. 3 CONTACTED LANDROVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365663

101,000 miles · Apr 30, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

I TOOK MY 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER INTO LAND ROVER TO BE SERVICE BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY SAID IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT WAS THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, THE VACUUM HOSES, AND SENSOR THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. SO WE HAD THEM REPLACE THE MANIFOLD, HOSES AND SENSORS. …

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I TOOK MY 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER INTO LAND ROVER TO BE SERVICE BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY SAID IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT WAS THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, THE VACUUM HOSES, AND SENSOR THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. SO WE HAD THEM REPLACE THE MANIFOLD, HOSES AND SENSORS. THE SERVICE MANAGER KEEP NARRATING THAT IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION. WE PICKED UP THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AGAIN THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSIST IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR IS RUNNING PERFECTLY. AS SOON AS I WENT ABOUT 2 MILES MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO LAND ROVER THE NEXT DAY IRRITATED. THE CAR SPENT 5 DAYS AT THE SHOP TRYING TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. WHICH WAS INDEED THE TRANSMISSION, THEY DIDN'T OFFER TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION BUT TO REFUND THE MONEY AND PUT THE OLD PARTS BACK IN. WHICH WE AGREE TO UNLESS THEY GUARANTEE IT WOULD BE IN THE SAME CONDITION. IT WAS MAKING MORE NOISE THEN BEFORE, 2 WEEKS LATER THE TIMING BELT BROKE. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. ITS DOESN'T MAKE SINCE HOW THE ENGINE, THE TIMING BELT, THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD ALL FELL AT ONCE. THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING AND STUCK IN MY DRIVE WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328210

38,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, MY CAR JERKED FORWARDED AS IF IT GOT HIT FROM THE BACK. IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC THAT SAME DAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SINCE OBTAINING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2003 THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED IN 2004. IN 2009 MY FREELANDER IS NOW DEAD. …

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WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, MY CAR JERKED FORWARDED AS IF IT GOT HIT FROM THE BACK. IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC THAT SAME DAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SINCE OBTAINING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2003 THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED IN 2004. IN 2009 MY FREELANDER IS NOW DEAD. THE TRANSMISSION IS DEAD AND IT KILLED MY BATTERY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM, TRANSMISSION, LOCKING DEVISES, BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301743

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CAR IS MORE TROUBLE THAN ITS WORTH. FROM THE TRUCK NOT STARTING, WINDOWS ROLLING UP AND DOWN WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT, ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING, INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEMS, MISDIAGNOSED FROM LANDROVER, THE LOCKS DON'T WORK. THE CAR BASICALLY STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO, IT DOESN'T NEED A NEW START…

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I HAVE A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CAR IS MORE TROUBLE THAN ITS WORTH. FROM THE TRUCK NOT STARTING, WINDOWS ROLLING UP AND DOWN WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT, ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING, INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEMS, MISDIAGNOSED FROM LANDROVER, THE LOCKS DON'T WORK. THE CAR BASICALLY STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO, IT DOESN'T NEED A NEW STARTER, OR SPARK PLUGS OR AN ALTERNATOR. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WONT ACCELERATE AS A CAR SHOULD IT RIDES BUMPY AS IF THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO DROP OUT. LAND ROVER WONT HELP WITH ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THE COMPANY WHO MADE THE ENGINES FOR THE TRUCK WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS TRUCK. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO LAND ROVER TO SEE WHAT THE TICKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD WAS THEY CHARGED ME 200 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WRONG. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS ARE THE WINDOWS ROLLING DOWN, THAT'S A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND HAVE THE WINDOW LOCK ON YET THE WINDOW STILL ROLLS DOWN. THE COOLANT LEAKING BECAUSE ONCE A LAND ROVER ENGINE OVERHEATS YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE. THE LOCKS DON'T WORK MEANING YOU CANT LOCK THE VEHICLE ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH SOMETIMES AND ITS NOT THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255369

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

72,000 miles · Aug 11, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TAILGATE, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK, REGARDLESS IF SHE USED THE KEYLESS REMOTE OR MANUALLY ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE. THE DOORS WILL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TAILGATE, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK, REGARDLESS IF SHE USED THE KEYLESS REMOTE OR MANUALLY ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE. THE DOORS WILL ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL OF THE MALFUNCTIONING DOORS NEEDED THE DOOR LATCHES REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED FOR THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10237688

85,000 miles · Jun 14, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainStructure

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED (LANDROVER FREELANDER) JUST OVER A YEAR AGO IN EARLY 2007. AT THE TIME IT HAD JUST UNDER 40,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF HAVING IT THE SUNROOF MALFUNCTIONED AND BROKE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY REFERRED ME TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED. AFTER GOING ROUND AND RO…

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I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED (LANDROVER FREELANDER) JUST OVER A YEAR AGO IN EARLY 2007. AT THE TIME IT HAD JUST UNDER 40,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF HAVING IT THE SUNROOF MALFUNCTIONED AND BROKE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY REFERRED ME TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED. AFTER GOING ROUND AND ROUND WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FOLKS AT THE LR DEALERSHIP WE GOT IT RESOLVED TO THE TUNE OF $1,200.00. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE LR DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED (FUEL PUMP, FRONT END, TRANSMISSION, ETC...). AT THIS POINT I AM CONSIDERING DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CAN RUN NO MORE AND THEN JUST LETTING THE BANK TAKE IT BACK. I HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE HE LR DEALERSHIP BASICALLY SAID THE VEHICLE IS JUNK, EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS GREAT AND IS IN GREAT CONDITION FOR A 2002. WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SALE OF THESE FREELANDERS IS NOTHING LESS THAN FRAUD BY LANDROVER AND THE CAR DEALERSHIPS THAT CHOOSE TO SELL THESE MODELS USED. EVEN IF YOU BUY A EXTENDED WARRANTY AS I DID, NO ONE TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE HAD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP EVERY DAY AND PUSHING THE LR DEALERSHIP TO GO THROUGH THE CAR WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB TO MAKE SURE EVERY ITEM IS IN WORKING ORDER, BEFORE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RUNS OUT. I BELIEVE THAT LAND ROVER KNOWS THAT THE FREELANDER HAS SERIOUS ISSUES & AT THIS POINT THEY ARE MERELY USING IT AS A MEANS TO DRIVE REVENUE SALES AT THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. PLEASE HELP, THIS PROBLEM HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH(S) DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING PART(S) ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE TAKES LAND ROVER TO TASK ON THIS LEMON OF A VEHICLE. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM SCARED TO DEATH FOR THEM TO RIDE WITH ME IN THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND WE HAVE NO CHOICE. PLEASE SOMEONE HOLD LAND ROVER ACCOUNTABLE FOR DUPING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE SCAM THAT HAS PUT A STRANGLE HOLD ON CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230996

75,000 miles · Jun 13, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT FROM A DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER OF 2004. DAY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED REAR WINDOW MOTOR BROKE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, DEALERSHIP REPLACED SENSOR. LOSS OF POWER AGAIN DEALERSHIP ENDING UP PERFORMING ENGINE WORK. VEHICLE CONTINUALLY DISPLACED…

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VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT FROM A DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER OF 2004. DAY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED REAR WINDOW MOTOR BROKE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, DEALERSHIP REPLACED SENSOR. LOSS OF POWER AGAIN DEALERSHIP ENDING UP PERFORMING ENGINE WORK. VEHICLE CONTINUALLY DISPLACED HILL DECENT / TRACK CONTROL LIGHT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED. AT 65000 MILES KEYLESS ENTRY STOPPED UNLOCKING ALL DOORS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. DOORS CAN NO LONGER BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE AS WELL. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT GO DOWN. LOSS OF POWER ISSUE IS HAPPENING AGAIN NOW AT 75,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230917

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

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