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Freelander problems are infinite
cuellargm
Member Posts: 2
in Land Rover
I have a 2003 Land Rover FREELANDER with currently 38,000 miles. I has been a total nightmare. Besides broken coolant reservoir, (3)changes of brake pads and discs, window water leaks, headlining damaged from manufacturing, sunroof motor and sliding replaced, jet washer defective, computer reconfigured, AC heater assy replaced and cooling system bled due to coolant leakeage on heater, front speaker replaced, codes P1472, p2070 intake chamber replaced, bad brake rotors replaced, fuel pump replaced, defective ignition coil #4 replaced and adjusted gaps in plugs, tail light replaced, ignition coil #2 codes p0302,p1392, replaced defective brake pedal switch code 1221, c1222, another tail light replaced, a Tech Bulletin 80/01/03 NAS were they modified the drivers lower heater duct and housing assy, faulty Plenum Chamber with VIS motors replaced, faulty brake booster switch - removed and replaced brake vaccum switch, deglazed and adjustment of rear brakes, glass door regulator assy replaced, tweeter grille replaced, lamp assy replaced due to humidity leak, deformed spacer of the power steering line -pressure hose R&R spacer of the high pressure hose power steering bleeding to system performed all due to power steering leakage, due to excesive coolant consumption they foud a leak in the R&R housing thermostat and hose R&R intake manifold gasket both sides AND my vehicle is in the shop as we speak and has been in there since june 25, 2007 for what it seems is the alternator. MY WARRANTY EXPIRES JULY 4, 2007.
HELP!!!!!
HELP!!!!!
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Comments
I'm new to the Freelander forum but so far I've the info here very helpful, but it would be EVEN MORE helpful if the folks who post would include the following with their posts...
Freelander year, model (HSE, SE, SE3), and mileage.
Also, doeas nayone know if the 05 SE3's are any better than earlier models?
Thanks!
~ Jeff
2005 Freelander SE3
26k
$200 would be a high price for the replacement and I'm wondering why they would be charging over $2300 for labor. Did they specifically mention whether the head is warped? Fixing that would add considerably to the cost.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Where are you determining the $200.00 price? Just for the gasket? They have to basically break down the entire engine to get to the problem as I undertsand it and that's why labor is so high.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
forums.preloved.co.uk
www.landyzone.co.uk
home.austarnet.com.au/edwardsonline/freelanderheadgasket
This was the worst vehicle I have ever owned, including the old used car I got when I was 18yrs old. I hope and believe there will be a Freelander Class Action Lawsuit eventually, but will probably be years from now, at least that was what the attorney said. He also said you can try to sue Land Rover for the repair costs incurred, but its an uphill battle. He suggested getting rid of the vehicle quickly, as did the dealership mechanic that I spoke with in December. Everyone apparently knows this vehicle is junk, but us, or we do now.
Land Rover Maintenance and Repair
Land Rover Freelander
Thank you! RJ
Any information is greatly appreciated!
I bought a 2003 Freelander last spring and two days later the check engine light soon came on. It was taken to the dealership and they said it check out fine and the light never came on for them. Two weeks later the same thing happened again. Finally they replaced a coil pack. Two days later it happened again. Same coil pack. Then one month later it ran hot and something was replaced then. This dealership is 60 miles away. I took it to a mechanic friend and he replaced the the head that the coil pack kept going bad and the car did well for the next several months and then the valves started clicking. Changed oil and used Lucas oil. Sound disappeared for two weeks. Started back everytime it was cranked. The one night my 16 year old daughter (whom the car was purchased for) got in it after her summer job at the local ball stadium at midnight and it wouldn't crank. Had it towed once again to a local mechanic and he tells me that ONE of the timing belts broke and warped the cam and I needed a new engine. Just like most of the postings on this site, I still owe for the car and am looking at thousands to repair it once again. I can't sell it for what I owe. I would be most interested in any class suit that may help or recommendations as to what to do. They are currently searching for a replacement engine. But if the engines were faulty then I am looking at the same problems happening again. This is and has been a nightmare from day one on what I had always heard was a good car to have. Please help...
I would not recommend making the repairs as based on what you said you have
the following issues/costs:
- Coolant Leak is part of the Head Gasket Failure issue, so new engine for $7000
- Sunroof & Rear Window Regulator cost $700 & $450
- Brake Light (could be the brake light switch which was the only recalled
part on the vehicle--- No charge if is that any dealer will do that).
Just is not a vehicle you want to keep, see if you can somehow get it back to
who sold it to you.
It turns out that the fuse f4 in the engine fuse compartment and another fuse in the inside fuse box had both blown at the same time. Turns out f4 is for the transmission. Replaced the fuses and all was well.......for about an hour when they both blew again. I have no idea what is blowing the fuses. Can anyone help?
I would recommend trading in or unloading the vehicle no matter what, the problem cannot be repaired and the dealer service department will only say engine replacement (for which there are no replacement engines available and all refurbished engines will have the same defect).
Save every dollar you can towards purchase of a different vehicle, Freelanders are doomed for inevitable failure and it is extremely unfortunate Land Rover is not more liable for the travesty it sold so many SUV buyers. Do not waste money on trying to repair the problem or dealer tactics to extract money from you in a purposeless effort, you should use every cent towards the next vehicle.
Good Luck.
I was told today that it was the thermostat that was bad... $500 bill with a suggested coolant flush bringing the total bill to $630. They did the pressurized test and found no leaks. I'm going to have it fixed seeing as I can't trade it in with them knowing there's a problem and then actively look for another vehicle. It's too bad because I really do love the Landy! It's the perfect size and I love the AWD which isn't easy to find in an SUV.
It definitely sounds like this means it's on the way out and only a matter of time...
Thanks
C
Dear Freelander owner, please take a few minutes to fill out this questionnaire. In an effort to compile evidence based on owning a freelander and your experience.
What year did you purchase your Freelander
What year was your Freelander
Did you purchase your Freelander from a Land Rover dealership?
If you did Purchase your Freelander from a Land Rover dealership what was the location?
How many miles were on your Freelander, at the time of purchase?
Did you lease your Freelander?
What was the purchase price on your freelander?
Was your Freelander under the original factory warranty, when purchased?
Who financed you Freelander?
PROBLEMS MILEAGE COVERED
BY
WARRANTY
Timing belt
Brakes
Transmission
head gasket
coolant leaking
brake light
head light
brake light switch
Did you purchase an extended warranty thru another company?
If yes, which comapny.
Did you contact land Rover North America
Number of times your vehicle was taken to the LR dealership, due to engine light coming on?
Do you have documented proof of the times your car was at the dealership?
Did they fix the problem on the first visit?
If not how many visits?
Did you contact the NHTSA?
Did you replace the engine in your Freelander?
If yes, what was the mileage?
what was the dollar amount quoted to you to repair the engine?
Was your Freelander under original factory Warranty?
How long did you have to wait for an engine?
Did they provide you with a rental car?
yup i bought one .
now i have the freelander transmission problem the F4 from hell.
and i have been studing all these manuals and i have got my parts on order,but first i'm going to explain why the replacement of these transmissions is a huge waste of time.
first the transmission as a whole has a alot good points and the faults with them are small.
9 outta 10 times the f4 error is nothing more then a simple replacement of the 9 solennoids in the trans valve body.
the cost of the for a , b and c with a case of 12 one liter bottles lrn402 texaco fluid with O-rings comes to $421.54 cad cause i'm from canada, and these parts can be orderd from any landrover dealer.i will list part numbers the end of this post along with the names of the jatco service repair manuals and updates.
this job takes 4 hours to complete and thats with the brake and timing solenoids aswell.
the total cost for this with all 9 solennoids is about $850 cad there is no need to pay 3000 to 5000 to replace or repair this transaxle unit what so ever.
if your not a do it your selfer buy the parts and take them to a transmission repair center and the cost with labor shouldn't be over 1200. still alot better then 3000 to 5000 for a rebuilt that could still have this problem.
if that dosen't fix your problem
and in very rare cares the tranny needs to be replace ,but befor the last resort step check and make sure that the * tcu * (timming control unit) isn't faulty.
sometimes if your lucky it's just the solenoid wire harness inside the valve body 2 hour job and can be done right in your drive way. cost for part 55.37 and can be gotten from any LR dealer.
the cost for this type of repair is with the lrn402 atf (thats a case of 12. trust me buy the case and your next fluid service will alot cheaper )is 244.25 befor tax.
land rover can not do tranny repairs because there techs are not trained to do them .
thats why the just pull and replace only...
but jatco who makes this transaxle unit has said that the problems with the returns more than 80% are this solenoid problem.
i myself have done this repair on many 2002 s se hse and 2003 s se hse ,jag ,vw golf, mazda 6 and mpv and it's always the solenoid or wire harness.
don't be fooled buy the fancy gibberish spouted buy unwise landrover techs they have not clue about this transaxle cause land rover did build it in the first place.
this list is the parts number of the commen solenoids that fail including the price from the landrover dealer.
1.tht500010 (shift a solenoid price 67.26
2.tht500030 (shift b solenoid price 36.70
3.tht500020 (shift c solenoid price 68.66
4.tht500040 (2nd & 4th brake timming solenoid price 68.25
5.tht500050 (2nd & 4th brake duty solenoid price 89.97
6.cal500050 (O-ring price 2.82
7.cal500060 (O-ring sealed 8.73
8.lrn02 (tranny fluid price 15.74 x 12 = 188.88
these prices are in canadian and the part numbers from landrover
there is a fluid control solenoid too but out of all the jatco JF506HB transaxle unit i have repaired i never found a bad one .
the service manual i use for my repairs is the ATSG techtran maunal wich is for the
JF506e (thats the name of your transmission)thats found in the vw golf, jag x type ,landrover freelander ,mazda 6 and mpv.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
if you choose to got at this your self the only solenoids that will work in a freelander transaxle are either for the freelander or the jaguar....mazda 6 and mpv and vw golf parts WILL NOT WORK IN THE FREELANDER...
i will be watching the forum and if anyone here has any questions
i would be happy to awnser them..
i hope this help ease the pain of freelander ownership and stops people from spending money on replacement transmissions.
my next post will be about the cost of timming belts,cam belts and idler pullers how to and how much my cost vs the dealer cost. and how much the rip off really is and i will also talk abit about the fun of head gasket replacment cost and dealer ripp offs.
Don't get taken! learn how to fix your vehicles yourself. you will save alot of money in the long run.
it's just a car and it dosen't hate you
I was just informed by Mr. Gutman the attorney handling the class action lawsuit, that he had talked to the Ford attorney and they were willing to give me $3000. I refused. I had an 03 freelander SE, still under original warranty, had to replace the engine at 32,000 miles. LR states it was customer neglect. I had all of the paper work stating that I had the proper oil changes. My FL sat at the LR dealership for 9 months and then they found a rebuilt engine. During this time I was driving a rental car, SUV which was supposedly covered under the warranty. When all was said and done LR charged me $7000 for a rebuilt engine. I paid my car note & insurance for my car to sit on thier lot. They also refused to pay the rental car bill and my credit card was charged $6,000. I'm going to fight this to the bitter end, I have nothing to lose. I turned the car back into the bank last month. My credit is ruined & I don't have a vehicle. If you or anyone can help me please let me know. I am in the process of writing a formal complaint letter to Ford. So any input would help.
Thanks :lemon:
head gasket arn't costly to repair if you know how to tackle it right.
i would make sure befor you do the repairs make sure that your service shop is familar with the truck cause sometimes people who really don't understand this truck do the repairs and cause more damage then they fix .
so get a second opinion about your heater core befor your have the truck worked on .
i have relpaced me a b and c solidnoids and the tranny work like new again and the next problem i'm repairing is the top end of the motor head gaskets spark plugs timming belt and cam belts idler pullys and so on . it's sounding a bit rough and the a loud clicking sound coming from the engine but that just means that the cam belts are stretched and need to be replaced this happends about every 30.000 km but i keep on it and i never have to replace my motor .
my freelander has 170.000 k and it's got the same motor and tranny it came with from the factory, so it is a bit fiddly to own a freelander and just like any britsh car there rubbish but off road you are hard pressed to find something that can do the same job as this truck. so for an allrounder this works great! you just have to be skilled with a wrench to keep it running strong.
good luck and after i tackle the problem i'll post part number and cost and where to get these parts from and whom ever it was that said heat gaskets are like 1700 buck uhhh no there not there about 165.00 from LR dealership... there is to much bitterness about the vehicle and the dealership mainly ford motor company cause thats who owned LR when this truck was made didn't give a crap about there consumers but since landrover changed hands alot of new and better polices have come out you can now get any part for this truck and there is no blacked out parts and the price of the parts have become affordable so owning one of these is just a little less pain full
i'll update later with all info about the repair .
thanxs
The head gasket repair quote was from a LR dealer and included 10 hours of labor and fixing the gaskets, assuming that's what the problem was. I'm not sure about the heater core. The service dept rep told me that it was leaking "a little". I asked if he could show me where and didn't really want to do that, but said it was in the foam under the carpet. I have never noticed any smells in my truck such as the sweet smell people refer to.
Geez if all this happened under Ford's ownership...it makes me wonder what kind of quality vehicle they are producing right now... especially given the financial concerns... are they cutting corners to save money?
Unfortuately for LR, I will never buy or lease one again. This thing has been a nightmare after the warranty was up. And you better believe I'll be telling everyone I know not to own one either!
:lemon:
Thom
Thanks!!
I should have read all the comments on this site before I bought that SUV.
I own this vehicle for only 3 days
I just purchased a 2002 FL S. I found this site because I was looking for info on the TC control. I bought the FL from a small used car dealer (who I happened to know~maybe we won't be friends now!) When I made the deal, he told me the TC sensor had to be replaced. He sent it to someone else who put the $60.00 sensor in, anc charged the dealer $350.00 for labor. Then he tells me that it has to go to LR to have the computer flashed. I sign all the paperwork, take a check from this dealer to pick up my FL at LR....the computer "flash" was $450.00 so now were just short of $1000.0 THE DEALER paid to have this done to sell me the S. I pick up the S and 2 minutes down the road, after I now LEGALLY own the thing...it does it AGAIN!! And now; Ihave found this forum and I am thinking of having someone blow it up!
Please don't do that! We have a lot of people here who rely on this forum for advice and valuable information. :P
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Thanks
Bud Stevenson
Thanks for any advise that I can get.
Here is the situation I'm in -- my daughter drove the car ( replaced fans, temp gauge and thermostat) and continued to have an overheating issue -- she was told it needed a water pump and timing belt ( anywhere from $1200 -- $3500 replacement cost). I had it towed to my home at a cost. NOw my local shop says they can't diagnose the problem, or duplicate the overheating and don't want to replace the water pump, timing belt based upon another shop's diagnosis.
I made the assumption after reading these posts, that the underlying problem is probably the head gasket -- she was smelling coolant in the vehicle. The overheating caused the timing belt to crack, is that reasonable?
Anyway, I contacted the lawyer posted above, and they state they would like a copy of the repair estimate -- which my current shop WON"T give me, as they couldn't find a problem and want to charge me hundreds of dollars to investigate the problem.
Seems like everytime I turn around, I get more confused. I'm ready to junk the vehicle, although it looks perfectly new -- what a travesity to find out that a defect in ALL the engines is known, and there is no remedy!