2004 Land Rover FREELANDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,733 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 62 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 69 complaints (31.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 15.9% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 15.9% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 11.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 22 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 12 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 22; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 12; Electrical System: 8; Power Train: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 4; Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 32 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 32; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
2004: 6; 2005: 5; 2006: 1; 2007: 6; 2008: 15; 2009: 14; 2010: 8; 2011: 8; 2012: 3; 2013: 3
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10083857 · 2004-10-01 (October 1, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STARTING TO DECELERATE AND STALL. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO SERVICED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089888 · 2004-10-06 (October 6, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THIS INCIDENT ALSO OCCURED AS THE CONSUMER SLOWED TO STOP AT A LIGHT. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND TH EENGINE DIED AT THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED 15 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SURGE. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093752 · 2004-10-07 (October 7, 2004)
MICHELIN SYNCHRONE TIRES OUTFITTED ON VEHICLE DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT TRACTION ON GROOVED CONCRETE HIGHWAYS, RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT WAVERING AND INSTABILITY. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098291 · 2004-11-04 (November 4, 2004)
2002, LAND ROVER, FREELANDER, LEAKS MOTOR OIL THROUGH THE REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL, COATING THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN USE THE HEATED OIL EMITS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING MOTOR OIL FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT. THE DEFECT WAS BLATANTLY IGNORED DURING MAINTENANCE AT DEALERSHIP OCTOBER 4, 2004.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10098291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103787 · 2004-12-14 (December 14, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, WENT TO TAP ON THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND BEGAN TO SURGE. CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 9,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104757 · 2004-12-30 (December 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, FIRST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FEW MINUTES LATER A SECOND LIGHT(THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT) CAME ON, THEN THE CAR STALLED COMPLETELY FROM A SPEED OF 40 KM/HR. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IM SENDING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED FOR ENGINE LIGHTS, BUT ITS THE FIRST TIME THE CAR STOPS COMPLETELY. ALL IN ALL THIS IS THE 5TH TIME I HAD A SERIOUS DEFECT, REQUIRING THE CAR TO BE SENT TO THE DEALER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105651 · 2005-01-03 (January 3, 2005)
MY WIFE TOOK HER FREE LANDER INTO THE LANDROVER DEALER FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGE, AND WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT HER BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING THE ROTORS, PADS, ETC. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO ADVISED HER THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERY 24,000 MILES AND THAT'S THE WAY THE FREELANDERS ARE. SO BASICALLY, WE ARE EXPECTED TO SPEND OVER $400.00 EVERY YEAR FOR A REPAIR THAT SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARY.*AK SHE WAS ALSO TOLD AT THE TIME THAT THE ROTORS WERE SO THIN THAT THEY WERE INCAPABLE OF BEING RESURFACED. RESURFAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116260 · 2005-04-02 (April 2, 2005)
THE FREE LANDER SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE ASCOT IMPORT CARS WITH LESS THAN 12000 MILES. ASCOT (THE DEALERSHIP) CLEARED THE ERROR CODES AND RETURNED THE FEELANDER. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, AND THE CAR'S ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. ASCOT CLAIMED TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE ECU; HOWEVER, THIS IS HARD TO VERIFY BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ACCURATE SERVICE RECORDS FROM THEM. ON MARCH 25, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116260 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V347000 · Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Reported: 2004-07-12 (July 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V300000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2005-06-28 (June 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V041000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2007-02-09 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗