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was bought back by Landrover North America in Dec 2003 after a year of problems incuding pads/rotors!!
I had to replace the front disk brakes and rotors at 23k($650 at dealer) with no warning other than the dealer telling me the pads needed replacement.. The dealer said usually the brakes and rotors fail somewhere around 12k and that I was "a good braker" what does that mean? The pads don't even have warning sensors on them.. The rotors were shredded and could not be resurfaced. Apparently Landrover rotors on the Freelanders are made from a very thin material and cannot be resurfaced and must be replaced. I'm not real keen on brake jobs every few thousand miles. Though I agree the vehicle does stop well--but it eats rotors and pads. The new Kevlar pads none OEM part seem to be working very well with about 2k on them.
I found some after market pads which I ordered from http://www.dap-inc.com. The pads are made from Kevlar and are called Kevlar EBC's and apparently last longer than the OEM PADS. I did the brake job myself and noticed the rotors were also bad. I brought this up with Landrover and they could care less. I also recommend looking at this site http://www.formatc.org/freelander/brakes/index.htm information on how to change your own pads(it was pretty easy).
Landrover has known about this problem for several years they just don't do anything about it. It is sad!!!
I give the FL design team 9 out of 10 (-1 for those brakes) and the FL service team about 5 out of 10.
I would highly recommend the Freelander to any sport truck and off-road enthusiast who doesn't mind replacing the brakes every 12,000 miles and who doesn't mind being treated like an idiot by the LR service staff.
I don't work for Land Rover. I just really love the FL. I'm considering a Discovery next. Perhaps then the LR staff will treat me like I'm at least half human
1) The quality issues posted have me very concerned with the Freelander. It seems as though most folks refer to problems with their 2002 models. Are these issues still present with the 2004's?
2) The Freelander engine size seems kind of small compared to the Escape. I'm going to try and drive one in the next week, or two. Hopefully that'll answer that question, but feedback would be appreciated as well.
It first broke down on my way home from vacation, when several dash lights lit up and the F 4 was flashing on the odo. It was towed to a local dealership and they claimed it was the battery and shipped it back to me. Not a week later, I was driving home from work and the drive stopped working, F 4 flashing, and I had to drive home in 4th gear. I then took it to my local dealer and it has been there about one week.
I have had no problems with brakes until 45,000 miles and the dealership seemed VERY surprised that they lasted so long. After reading all of these posts, I can see why.
I was curious as to the timing of your service calls, and if you did get a new transmission.
Thanks.
had 1st one less than 1 month, 600 miles. computer malfunctioned, had to flatbed it to dealer.they tried their best, getting maryland facility involved. no luck. couldn't fix it. had it approx. 30 days. after many "discussions" with landrover in maryland and procrastinations on their part, along with "legal action" threat from my lawyer, they approved a new vehicle for me. picked it up. absolutely no problems, other than front abs brake replacement at 15,000 miles until 1 week ago with another 500 miles on it. used it, came home, got back in it 1/2 hour later, started it up, put it in gear. and it would not accelerate to more than 5 mph and service light went on. called dealer, had it flatbedded to dealer. diagnosis- computer malfunction. dealer was told computers on back-order, but thru their own efforts located one. sent an employee to pick it up, put it in. picked up car yesterday, went right to another car dealership and traded it in..loved it prior to this, but no longer have any confidence in landrover. have sent complaint to them via email, if it does any good!
SO BEWARE TO ALL YOU POTENTIAL FREELANDER BUYERS.
worse part? was going to trade it in for a 2004 hse, as they've dressed it up nicely. i'm done with landrover..which makes me both sad and angry
As an example, I saw a 2002 SE with 28,000 miles for $17,000.
Any thoughts? Am I just buying someone elses problems or do you think LR has really fixed them?
I recently purchased a new SE Freelander, Land Rover. Beautiful car with great off-road features. I have only had it for one week. I first started experiencing fatigue of the shoulders and wrists. I assumed it was the tight stearing or a problem with the stearing. Now, I am not so sure. As it is becoming obvious to me that the neck rest is at an uncomfortable angle and it is extremely hard to adjust the seats to a natural comfort level. Maybe it's me... Any one else suffering in there 04 Freelander? I am driving the dealership crazy. They say I am hyper-sensitive. I say the seats suck!
Why are they such a Lemon, when LandRover is supposed to have such a HIGH Reputation???????
Failures on my 3 month old 04 Freelander:
-IRD
-Transmission
-Rear Seat Belts
-Rpm Intake Input Motor
-Power Steering Rack and Pump
-Brake Rotors Pulsating and Hopping (under 8000km)
-Stereo Problems
-ILL done PDI
(BTW: about $10 000 CANADIAN for retail of these parts, and others replaced)
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
I want my Freelander Bought back ... HOW DO I DO THIS??????? (Canada Info Preferred, but not demanded)
CAMVAP
Steve, Host
LandRover Richmond (BC) swears there aren't any problems with the vehicle and that its just as reliable as any other new vehicle.
^my 84 rabbit is more reliable, and its an OLD VW!
We are fully disgusted with LandRover and feel extremely 'jipped'. Considering we feel we are getting Kia quality from a supposed landrover.
Any help is always appreciated
My email: canadiandaizy@excite dot com (please use freelander as subject)
The dealer says he will give us $3,000 off. That is the current Manufacture incentive.
What do you think I should buy the car for? Someone on another forum said $7,000 off MSRP.
What is a good price to ask?
- the $3,000 incentive and that's $24,557
If I bought it for $24,557 then the dealer would be making no money correct?
Then how could I get it for $6,000 or even 7,000 off MSRP?
That would put it below their profit pricing. They would be loosing money....is there some type of holdback I am missing?
Please someone with intelligence and knowledge answer and help me out here.
Land Rovers have no holdback.
Besides the manufacturer incentive that you know of, there may be other dealer incentives that we don't know about. Dealers seem to use new car sales to generate traffic more than using new sales as the main profit center (used car sales and service are the money makers), but it's hard to believe that a dealer would sell one below their cost.
But if others are reporting better numbers, you may as well tell the dealer that and see what reaction you get.
Steve, Host
If you do get one, I am sure when it is working it will be great, just don't be surprised if it spends a lot of time in the shop and you get the run around from Land Rover. That is what has been reported throughout this forum.
In my opinion, the answer to your question: They are probably not selling due to the poor reputation. So it costs him money to hold it on his lot. To unload it at cost and then collect money on the service, plus any extras (undercoating, scotch guard, bridge) they sell you at closing and the not having the car depreciate further since 2005s are probably hitting the lot soon makes it worth his while to get rid of it at cost.
And to add to our freelander problems:
-Tranny is reading 3 failure codes, including not shifting proper and no direct shift.
-Pops out of Park
-Fuel Economy went to heck
1.Always carry a digital camera and take pictures
2.Always take your vehicle in when a warning light comes on or the 4 and F blink
3.Always report the hard shifting between 2nd and 3rd
4.Always check the rear hatch where your jack is for water(lots of it) or rust around the lock mechanism
5.Always report the brake wear and rotor replacement on the front disk brakes
6.Always save all service paperwork
7.Always report all problems to Landrover North America in writing and via email(keep all correspondence)
8.Always be tenacious when dealing with Landrover and demand your rights
9.Always contact http://complaints.bbb.org/Welcome.asp
Sorry to hear about all of the problems you faced with your Freelander. I have an '02 and recently bought an '04. Needless to say that I like them. Don't get me wrong, though; I'm aware of the problems that come along with them. You did the right thing when your vehicle doesn't operate the way in which it was intended.
Thanks..As I have said in other posts, I really liked my Freelander when it ran. I actually still own a 2002 Disco Series II SE7 which I really like. I figure I just got a Lemon but the effort I had to put forth to LR North America to prove it was a lemon was insane. They had all the facts, service reocords, pictures and moving video, yet they treated me like pond scum. That alone really concerns me.. Landrover does not stand behind it's product and it was finally a BBB complaint that got their attention even though I had tried to work with LR they just refused to listen to the customer..I hope your Freelanders remain dependable.
LandRover Canada says no to a buyback, and still maintains the integrity of the vehicle has not been comprimised!!!!!!! How they figure that we have NO idea.
They are lacking in quality and assurance, in an age where the industry is so close and the name is SUPPOSED to say it all.
I just got rid of my 02 Freelander for my 05 Liberty. My Liberty has a strong engine, and has four wheel drive that will handle in the snow. The Freelander is very costly to maintain and all of the parts are expensive because they are foreign parts. Often times I had a hard time getting parts in. The Freelander is cute, but I would never purchase another one. Don't forget the brakes on the Freelander need to be changed every 10-15k miles.
Volvo- I am still not ready for the price. I would consider it only if I was sure that it was really dependable and would last for really long time (about 300 000 miles), as I heard about my friend’s Volvo, but it was not an SUV. Moreover, what would I do with a car for 7!
How much have you spent on the repairs? Sounds like nothing. Otherwise what is the reason of holding it till the warranty is over.
1. Head liner came unattached from roof. Water leaked into the car over driver side.
2. Front windshield replaced because the auto defrost did not work.
3. GPS system Radio replaced two times.
They replaced it and they told us they did as much as they could do (it was a EOM issue)
4. Speaker in both doors have been replaced
5. Fuel pressure drop off (New fuel pump)
6.Grinding noise when starting the car(New starter)
7. Driver window would not work. (New motor and regulator).
8. Replace the tool box when we bought the car it had been smashed.
9. Car pulls to the right new alignment in Feb. 04
after a whopping 400 miles.
10. Fuse box cover was broken when we got the car. ( new cover) Little problem I thought. But they all add up.
11.Replaced the door motor for the passenger side
could not open door from inside or outside of the car.
12 When it is cold out the back door will not open. I live where we get snow (FUN)!
As I am writing this my Hippo sits at the repair shop I was driving it the other day and when shifting down the car jolted pretty hard. The car has had it's 3000 mil maitance and regular oil changes. The dealer puts the blame on the manufacture and it goes back and forth. They offered me 15k trade in while they are selling a '02 Freelander SE for 2lk with 30k in miles. Some help the offered the same deal every Joe gets. This after they had said they would make it up to me. Landrover states they are a different type of car dealer. That is true I have own several used cars and never had these problems. The dealer is 30 miles away and each drop off is an inconvience. I see the new policy that we have 24 hours to return the loaner car after they call us when the repair is done on there time. I travel alot it makes it hard enough to balance family work and travel and now car repairs. yeah:{
Wish I had never bought the car. The trade-in book value from Kelly is 21k now I do not know how true to date that is but I know it is not 6k less then what is offered by the dealer.
Any Ideas?
Dealership "fixed" it, but I refuse to accept my Freelander back.
LRNA working on getting me another vehicle, not a Freelander, from dealership.
Has anyone had similar experience?
thanx
candian gal
Good luck,
Steve, Host
I actually love driving the Freelander. I test drove the CRV, RAV-4, and Liberty before buying the Landy. I don't agree with any of the other posts regarding the other vehicles. The liberty has a better track record with reliability but isn't nearly as solid feeling. The RAV-4 and CRV both felt like station wagons and DO NOT COMPARE. The CRV is underpowered and has its own set of reliability issues. The check engine light comes on and has to be reset if you simply don't close the gas cap tight enough: I'm not kidding, check the CRV forums.
My main complaints aren't about the vehicle itself. I'm not happy about the reliability problems but it drives like non of the other offerings. I complain there are no aftermarket performance engine parts, no rear disc brake kits available, no performance computer chips available, no air intake kits, no lift kits, no muffler kits and no upgraded front brake kit. And since it is a very rare vehicle, such parts will likely never be available. You'd think being so popular in Europe there'd be as many aftermarket parts as there are for the Ford Focus. I also think if a rack is sold with the vehicle it should be usable without having to buy additional cross bars; a real pain just to mount a bike rack on the roof.
All in all, I'm not totally disatisfied with my 04'.
First Incident:
- Went to dealer and reported that I was losing coolant.
- Dealer said they did a pressure test and found nothing.
- I replaced coolant for a week and waited until I got a different service agent to answer the phone.
- Serviced the vehicle and they found a cracked coolant line.
- Replaced line, everything was fine.
Second Incident:
- Electrical problems
- Went for servicing, reported no problems found
- Car stalled, was towed to dealer. Tower told me to ask for a new battery.
- Asked for new battery, they told me it was fine.
- Told dealer to replace battery or they were keeping the car (had to get too aggresive for my taste)
- They replaced the battery
- No more random lites, and no need to plug in vehicle overnight anymore
Third Incident:
- Did the 40,000km service and was told brakes needed replacing
- Replaced brakes and service at a cost of just over $1,000 CAD$
- Two weeks later the brakes were squeeking unbarably.
- Returned to dealer (seperate agent)
- Was told I was in need of a desperate brake change
- No one had any explanation for me or excuse, owner was not available.
Final Incident:
- Very hard jerks between gear changes
- Serviced vehicle, nothing could be found
- Returned a week later, things were worse
- Transmission was replaced (and no report to Carfax by the way, they simply said regular service)
- Could not use any gears but Drive and Reverse...no change or sport or lower
- Returned for service
- Transmission work done
We have traded in for a Honda.
What was the dealer? Perhaps the web can be your venue?
BTW remind me not to buy a LR
After all the headaches...failed shifter cable, two front brake replacements in 30K miles, electrical gremlins...my wife didn't want another one and I don't blame her.
2005 Mercury Mariner (nee Ford Escape) has taken its place.
I bought a new V6 Freelander in 2002 and am very happy with it, with the exception of the same problem you have been suffering. The two amber lights only come on intermittently, and strangely usually only in the winter months. My local dealer allegedly ran a full diagnostic test last year and did not find any problem. The garage who serviced my Freelander today have suggested that it is a broken sensor on one of the front wheels - problem is that the "Testbook" diagnostic machine is only available from my local Land Rover dealer who are worse than useless. Have you had any luck sorting the problem ? If so - could you e-mail me.
Thanks.
Ian
1) Brake pads being the first and foremost. After being told repeatedly by service staff that obviously I was driving way too fast and it was my own fault. Until they themselves had too many customer complaints to renege or ignore this. Several hundred dollars in pad / rotor replacement and rental cars.
2) Minor electrical problems. Warning lights that come on with no warning. Sunroof motor and windows motors breaking. Best was when I had $300k of priceless gear in my car and the rear left window decided to keep slipping down for no reason at all.
3) The ever present and oft mentioned coolant bottle. But here's where it gets bad and you should all be warned...
My overheat and check engine lights have come on erratically and dissapeared just as frequently. The temperature guage has remained constant and steady however, until around 30k miles when the needle started to fluctuate wildly. At one dealership two attempts were made to repair the problem before this was fixed. It was diagnosed repeatedly as a thermostat problem, not an actual problem with the coolant system itself. Ergo, the indicator becomes useless as to the actual problem with the car. I keep insisting coolant seems to get eaten up by the car way too fast. I am told I am not looking at the reservoir at the right times.
Unfortunately then I move to another state. The problem reoccurs. I bring the car in. The coolant bottle is replaced because of cracks.
200 miles later the problem resurfaces. Car is brought back in again. Thermostat replaced.
A few hundred miles later, driving a friend to the airport and the car emits enough smoke and steam to make it completely hazardous and it shuts down in the middle of the street. Vehicle is towed in to the dealer. Then and only then do they realize that the hoses should've been replaced a long time ago.
I of course at this point contacted Customer Care. I reiterated that a full picture of the vehicle's history and the number of unacceptable times I've had to bring the car in and have it worked on while taking loaner cars or sometimes cars I pay to rent - can only be completed by contacting service reps in both states I lived in. The Customer Care rep does not do this. The car seems to be fixed, so I drop it.
Until, 1000 or so miles later, the check engine light comes on for no reason...
Once again i contact customer care, and am given hassle over wanting to speak to a supervisor. I am told a supervisor will contact me in 24 hours turnaround. I hear from one five days later.
At my local service dealer I am overcharged $250 for a 48k mile servicing. I won't even go into what I heard then, suffice to say that two people had been fired from the service center for what I was told were fraudulent practices.
Oh and I forgot to mention having my transmission entirely replaced at 30k miles for no fault of my own, having it break down on windy dangerous roads. The vehicle has been towed in a total of 3 times now in a state that's completely undrivable.
This is a very concise rapid summary of a nightmare. Here is what I have learned about the Freelander 2002...
1) There is a consistent problem with the coolant system, beginning with the reservoirs cracking, that can lead to misdiagnoses such as ignoring battered hoses that will lead to the car dangerously overheating and resultant damage.
2) The transmissions are faulty and need to be replaced every 25k-30k miles or so. Wait until your warranty runs out and see how much that will cost
3) The brake pads and rotors are either of completely unacceptable quality or there is a problem with the braking system.
4) Land Rover "Customer Care" is nonexistent. Their local service technicians can range from excellent to admittedly deceptive. The corporate customer care service is staffed by rude people who only seem to care about making sure vehicles are repaired under warranty eventually, and no matter at what cost, safety, or inconvenience to you. Asking to speak to supervisors is unacceptable.
Those three points should be reiterated again and again. Because we all seem to be having the same problem. And we need to do something about it. The car is an absolute lemon.
I thought Land Rover NA gave them to them like Acura does.
What is going on? :confuse: