VehicleVerdict

2005 Land Rover Freelander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2005 Land Rover Freelander — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

26

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Freelander years?

Freelander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted404 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 404 complaints2003: 250 complaints2004: 112 complaints2005: 26 complaints
Freelander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Freelander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Land Rover Freelander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1558%
Other312%
Transmission312%
Electrical System28%
Lighting14%
Brakes14%
Speed Control14%

Does the 2005 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.

04V510000AirbagsJanuary 28, 2004 · 4 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DEFLECTOR PANEL CONTAINED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BUILT TO SPECIFICATION.

Consequence

DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAG MAY OCCUR THAT COULD ALLOW THE RELEASE OF A FRAGMENT OF THE DEFLECTOR PANEL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, INJURING THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES IN ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 2011

“2005 LAND ROVER (FREE LANDER): SHIFTING REARS FROM DRIVE (D) TO REVERSE (R) RESULTED IN BROKEN GEAR LINKAGE CABLE ON ONE OCCASION. THE SUV BECAME TOTALLY IMMOVABLE AND UNSAFE (LOCKED IN PARK MODE) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON FLATBED TO DEALER AFTER TWO TOW TRUCK DRIVERS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 14, 2011

“WE BOUGHT A VEHICLE FROM JUSTIN HARRIS. THE AD ON CRAIGSLIST LIST DIDNT MENTION ANYTHING ABT THE ENGINE IT ONLY SAID IT NEEDED A BATTERY & THE KEY PROGRAMMED. COME TO FIND OUT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY SEIZED. HE HAS OUR MONEY & THE CAR. HE REFUSES TO RETURN ANY CALLS OR TEXT MESSAGES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 20, 2018

“I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2011 FROM A COUNTY AUCTION. I'VE SPENT ALMOST $8,000 ON ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE I'VE BOUGHT IT. HAD A NEW TIMING BELT, SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS INSTALLED ON 02/02/2015, BUT NOW MY CAR STALLS AND I HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY PICKING UP SPEED, EVEN WHEN DRIVING ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 2, 2015

“MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON TOOK MY CAR TO THE LANDROVER DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WHERE NOT GOING TO CHECK MY CAR I EXPLAINED THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON BRAKE LIGHTS AND TOM WAS VERY NASTY TELLING IT WAS NOT FOR MY CAR BUT. I HAVE READ THE RECALL AND I TRIED TO GET HIM TOO LOOK IT UP AND HE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 2, 2013

2005 Land Rover Freelander — common questions

Is the 2005 Land Rover Freelander reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 Freelander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (15 complaints), transmission (3 complaints), other (3 complaints).

Does the 2005 Land Rover Freelander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 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 2005 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.