VehicleVerdict

2002 Land Rover Freelander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 404 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.9 times the median Freelander year — the 2002 model ranks #1 of 6 Freelander years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 137 reports (34% of the total).

404

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Freelander years?

Freelander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted404 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 404 complaints2003: 250 complaints2004: 112 complaints2005: 26 complaints
Freelander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Freelander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Land Rover Freelander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine13734%
Transmission8822%
Visibility & Wipers348%
Electrical System318%
Brakes287%
Lighting164%
Fuel System113%
Latches & Locks113%
Other113%
Steering92%
Body & Structure82%
Speed Control72%
Airbags31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Suspension31%
Tires & Wheels20%
Seats10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2002 Land Rover Freelander have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V041000LightingFebruary 9, 2007 · 33,247 units

Defect

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.

05V300000Latches & LocksJune 28, 2005 · 1,941 units

Defect

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.

04V347000Body & StructureJuly 12, 2004 · 31,049 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I PURCHASED THIS SUV WITH ONLY 14,000 ON IT WITH THE REMAINING FACTORY WARRANTY. AT 21,000 THE SUV ENGINE LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE 2 HOURS FROM HOME. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. LAND ROVER FIXED IT, $13,000 THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE AT 21,000 MILES. THE WARRANTY COVERED THE ENGINE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 16, 2006 · fire

“ENGINE COOLANT, TRANSMISSION FAILURE OVERHEATED, LEAKING FLUIDS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION WHEN VEHICLE OVERHEATED. PAID 2500 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION THEN DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS VEHICLE NEEDED MORE SERVICING UNRELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION FOR ANOTHER 3000.00. DEALER WAS NEGLIGENT WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 10, 2006

“2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER EXPERIENCED A VEHICLE FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER ADDRESSED DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, LAND ROVER TOLD HIM THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE MEXICO LEMON LAW GUIDELINES AND THEY WERE NOT IN ANY POSITION TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT OTHER PROBLEMS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 15, 2003 · fire

“THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENGINE SIMPLY GOES OUT; THUS AFFECTING THE STEERING. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM; HOWEVER, LANDROVER ROCKVILLE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NOTHING. IN OCTOBER, THE POWER WENT OUT WHILE MAKING A TURN AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR HITTING A CURB. ALSO, THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 22, 2006 · crash

“I PURCHASED THIS SUV WITH ONLY 14,000 ON IT WITH THE REMAINING FACTORY WARRANTY. AT 21,000 THE SUV ENGINE LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE 2 HOURS FROM HOME. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. LAND ROVER FIXED IT, $13,000 THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE AT 21,000 MILES. THE WARRANTY COVERED THE ENGINE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 16, 2006 · fire

2002 Land Rover Freelander — common questions

Is the 2002 Land Rover Freelander reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 404 complaints put the 2002 model at #1 of 6 Freelander years. It is one of the Freelander years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Freelander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (137 complaints), transmission (88 complaints), visibility & wipers (34 complaints).

Does the 2002 Land Rover Freelander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Land Rover Freelander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Land Rover Freelander under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Land Rover Freelander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Freelander years to avoid are 2002, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Freelander years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.