2003 Land Rover Freelander: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Land Rover Freelander: 5 recalls, 140 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #04V207000 · 2004 · 3,194 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles, the child door lock on the left hand rear door can become disengaged.
Why it matters: This could lead to a child being able to open a rear door while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left hand rear latch. The recall began December 4, 2004. Owners should contact Land Rover at 1-800-637-6837.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #04V347000 · 2004 · 31,049 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants May occur.
The fix: 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.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #04V489000 · 2004 · 4 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A cracked or deformed subframe could potentially lead to instability of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
The fix: 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…
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #05V300000 · 2005 · 1,941 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The occupant May open the door inadvertently while the vehicle is in motion and fall out into the traffic, personal injuries could occur.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #07V041000 · 2007 · 33,247 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (88): the most common themes are leaks (27), stalls / loses power (25), warning light on (18).
- Fuel system (28): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), leaks (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (27): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (9), warning light on (8), stalls / loses power (7).
- Electrical (25): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), stalls / loses power (8), warning light on (8).
The 2003 Land Rover Freelander has 140 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 6 Freelander model years for complaints (1.8× the average Freelander year). Complaints peaked in 2008 (45 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 63,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (226 complaints, 3 recalls), 2004 (69 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Land Rover Freelander.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Land Rover Freelander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Land Rover Freelander. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Land Rover Freelander problems?
Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (88), fuel system (28), transmission & drivetrain (27).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Land Rover Freelander get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Land Rover Freelander repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.