2005 Land Rover Freelander: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Land Rover Freelander: 3 recalls, 16 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #04V510000 · 2004 · 4 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers have replaced the passenger air bag modules in all the affected vehicles.
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. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (9): the most common themes are leaks (5), overheating (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3).
- Other / unknown (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2005 Land Rover Freelander has 16 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 6 Freelander model years for complaints (well below the 76 average). Complaints peaked in 2011 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 56,384 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (69 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 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 2005 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.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Land Rover Freelander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2005 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 2005 Land Rover Freelander problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (9), transmission & drivetrain (3), other / unknown (3).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Land Rover Freelander get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S5)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 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.