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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2000–2005

Land Rover Freelander recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 455 owner complaints for the Land Rover Freelander, covering model years 2000 to 2005. The 2002 model year drew the most complaints (226), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Land Rover Freelander VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 455 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (2000–2005)
  • most complaints: 2002 (226 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (271 complaints)
  • latest recall 07V041000 (reported Feb 9, 2007)
  • 7 complaints reporting a crash (1.5%)
  • 11 complaints reporting a fire (2.4%)
  • 4 complaints reporting an injury (0.9%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Land Rover Freelander complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2002 model year has the most complaints: 226 of 455, or 49.7%. Next come 2003 (140) and 2004 (69). The fewest are for 2000, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Land Rover Freelander owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2000–2005Column chart of 455 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 2002 with 226. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2000: 1 complaint120002001: 3 complaints320012002: 226 complaints22620022003: 140 complaints14020032004: 69 complaints6920042005: 16 complaints162005
Land Rover Freelander complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Land Rover Freelander complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200010000
200130000
20022264440
20031401600
2004692100
2005160000
All model years45571140

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Land Rover Freelander components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 271 complaints (59.6% of all 455), followed by Power Train (123) and Electrical System (61).

Components named most often in Land Rover Freelander complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Land Rover Freelander complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling27159.6%
Power Train12327.0%
Electrical System6113.4%
Visibility4810.5%
Fuel System, Gasoline398.6%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic398.6%
Exterior Lighting265.7%
Engine173.7%
Latches/Locks/Linkages163.5%
Structure163.5%
Equipment143.1%
Vehicle Speed Control143.1%
Steering122.6%
Unknown or Other112.4%
Air Bags61.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Land Rover Freelander recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Freelander, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 2002 to 2005. The 2003 model year appears in the most campaigns (5).

  • 6 recall campaigns
Land Rover Freelander recall campaigns covering each model year
2002: 3 campaigns2003: 5 campaigns2004: 3 campaigns2005: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 07V041000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

    Model years 2002–2005

    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.

    Filed by Land Rover

  2. NHTSA campaign 05V300000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch

    Model years 2002–2005

    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.

    Filed by Land Rover

  3. NHTSA campaign 04V489000

    Reported

    Structure › Frame and Members

    Model year 2003

    On certain sport utility vehicles, an incorrect weld nut was installed. Lack of this bolt could eventually cause the subframe to crack or become deformed.

    Consequence:
    A cracked or deformed subframe could potentially lead to instability of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the subframe fixing is correctly fitted and clamped up. If necessary, the subframe will be replaced with a new one that has correct weld nuts. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners should contact Land Rover at 1-800-637-6837.

    Filed by Land Rover

  4. NHTSA campaign 04V347000

    Reported

    Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars

    Model years 2002–2004

    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.

    Filed by Land Rover

  5. NHTSA campaign 04V207000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch

    Model year 2003

    On certain sport utility vehicles, the child door lock on the left hand rear door can become disengaged.

    Consequence:
    This could lead to a child being able to open a rear door while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the left hand rear latch. The recall began December 4, 2004. Owners should contact Land Rover at 1-800-637-6837.

    Filed by Land Rover

  6. NHTSA campaign 04V510000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 2005

    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.

    Filed by Land Rover

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Land Rover Freelander questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Land Rover Freelander have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Land Rover Freelander, covering model years 2000 to 2005. The most recent, 07V041000, was reported on February 9, 2007 and is filed under “Exterior lighting”. The 2003 model year is covered by the most campaigns (5).

Which Land Rover Freelander model year has the most complaints?

The 2002 model year, with 226 of the 455 complaints in NHTSA’s file (49.7%). The next are 2003 (140) and 2004 (69). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Land Rover Freelander complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 271 complaints, or 59.6% of all 455. Power Train (123) and Electrical System (61) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Land Rover Freelander?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Land Rover dealer.

How many Land Rover Freelander complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 455 complaints, 7 report a crash, 11 a fire, 4 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Land Rover models

8 models · most complaints first

The Land Rover models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Land Rover VIN decoder with every Land Rover model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Land Rover models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.