Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
07V041000LAND ROVERfrom 09/05/2001 to 05/19/2005V (Vehicle)3324707/30/2007ODILAND ROVER02/09/200702/14/2007
Defect SummaryOn 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 SummaryFailure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesLand rover recall no. p004.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
EA05016LAND ROVER10/14/200502/22/2007BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE07V041000
 On june 16, 2005, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe05-034) to investigate alleged stop lamp (brake) switch failures in certain model year (my) 2004 land rover discovery series ii vehicles.on october 14, 2005, the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis and the scope expanded to include certain my 2002 through 2005 freelander vehicles that use a substantially similar self-adjusting stop lamp switch furnished by the same supplier, methode electronics malta, ltd. (methode).in september 2003, methode moved the production of an internal switch component, known as the slider mechanism, from a validated plastic injection-molding tool (
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
EA05016LAND ROVER10/14/200502/22/2007BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE07V041000
 On june 16, 2005, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe05-034) to investigate alleged stop lamp (brake) switch failures in certain model year (my) 2004 land rover discovery series ii vehicles.on october 14, 2005, the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis and the scope expanded to include certain my 2002 through 2005 freelander vehicles that use a substantially similar self-adjusting stop lamp switch furnished by the same supplier, methode electronics malta, ltd. (methode).in september 2003, methode moved the production of an internal switch component, known as the slider mechanism, from a validated plastic injection-molding tool (

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
12/01/20091
 Engine issues. replaced vacuum hose to 6th cylinder. also, the timing belt is making noise and the mechanic has advised i will need a new engine. the car only has 68,850 miles. also, have repaired the brakes on five occasions and they still squeak. had to repair the window regulator. the srs light and engine service light is on. *tr
12/09/2007450001
 The engine/head gasket issue is the repair that is the most critical and terminal condition for the vehicle. the dealers mechanics will never fix the gasket, so they will only offer the engine replacement, but either repair will cost you more than the suv is worth. and yes, the brake pads and then rotors wear out very quickly, because of the weight of the vehicle (the dealer says). i personally think it has more to do with the fact that there are 2 disc front brakes and 2 drum rear brakes on the vehicle, hence the wear and weight all goes to the front of the vehicle. another poor design flaw issue, and i was told the drum brakes were there to better allow the off-roading. yeah, who ever could off road these things, they fall apart on the driveway! *tr
05/26/20030
 I strongly urge the modification of the brake light and turn signal configuration on current freelanders in the united states. the placement of these crucial signals is located in an unexpected and less visible location to other drivers . i have been involved in a rear-end collision (and have had many close calls) on the highway likely because the drivers behind me do not notice my brake lights illuminating. the brake lights could easily be moved to the current fog light location and the turn signals could be moved to where the reverse lights are now located - this would provide a cost effective solution to this serious safety concern. *tt
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
02/23/200776000210/17/2005
 Land rover freelander hse 2002: at 70,000 miles, transmission halts, seizing, rapid rpm jumps; less than one month later, the transmission completely died. inoperable car towed and transmission rebuilt at private shop. five miles from shop after pickup, car seized and died. now, an additional repair of the transfer case, which we were told caused the transmission failure. now, service engine soon light on; battery keeps dying. rapid depreciation, frequent repairs of brakes, brake pads, headlights, etc. complained to manufacturer 2/23/2007. car inoperable as of this date. don't know what to do -- owe more than it's worth, cannot get full nada/kbb trade in value...frustrated and disappointed. and out of money. *jb
02/07/2006109/10/2002
 Brake lights do not illuminate. checked fuse, bulbs and wiring. all were operative. had brake lamp switch replaced. lights still not operational. (new stop lamp switch was the same manufacturer as the one that is currently under nhtsa investigation.) since new part didn't work, old part was reinstalled and new one returned to dealer. the dealer wants to charge 300.00 just to tell me why brakes won't work and is aware of what has already been tried. brake lights still not operational. *jb
01/05/2002001/05/2002
 Both brake lights and rear turn signals are located far low down into the rear bumper; difficult for other drivers to see; could easily cause rearend collisiion.
12/16/20021000005/05/2002
 I feel the design of the tail lights has caused many close-call near accidents with my freelander. the design is counter-intuitive for the drivers behind me, who expect the light assemblies on the corners of the vehicle to illuminate when braking. the brake lamps are in the bumper, however- which doesn't seem intuitive or sometimes aren't visible to a close-following vehicle. when not illuminated, it's difficult to even see the bumper lamp assemblies exist, yet the corner mounted assemblies are at eye level- but they have no blinkers or brake lamps. some people have started modifying their own brake lamps in response to this issue! i'd rather have them changed legally than modify my vehicle without dot/nhtsa approval.
09/01/2002
 The brake lights on this vehicle are designed very poorly. i have been pulled over twice for faulty brake lights. i have also almost been rearended. due to the set up of these lights. this is not a safe vehicle and i will not let my pregnant wife and kids ride in it. dt
01/01/2002
 The brake lights on the 2002 land rover freelander (which we just purchased) are extremely misleading to anyone traveling behind the vehicle are bound to be the cause of accidents, if they havent been already. although there are light clusters on each side of the tailgate (as there are on every vehicle in the us), they do not light up when the brakes are applied. instead, the thin, rectangular lights in the bumper light up. we werent aware of this problem until my wife was pulled over by a connecticut state police officer for faulty brake lights. the dealer where we purchased the car then said they were unaware of the problem, agreed it was confusing, but were powerless to fix it because land rover north america says it meets all nhtsa regulations. although the lights maybe within the 15-72 inch from the road range, the placement of them is deceiving. ive yet to see any other vehicle in the us with brake lights only in the rear bumper. my fear is that this will not be addressed until something tragic happens because of it. everyday this isn't fixed is a day we have to drive a vehicle with deceiving brake lights, putting our safety and the safety of those behind us at risk. unfortunately, we have no choice but to continue driving the vehicle, even though wed rather not. please feel free to contact me with any questions.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS - SWITCH
11/18/200650654203/17/2005
 Land rover, freelander hse 2002. engine valve leak, 5th cylinder not firing, catalytic sensor went bad, pressure valve leakage. the car stooped all of a sudden. just crossed the manufacturer's warranty, by 700 miles. *nm
02/07/2006109/10/2002
 Brake lights do not illuminate. checked fuse, bulbs and wiring. all were operative. had brake lamp switch replaced. lights still not operational. (new stop lamp switch was the same manufacturer as the one that is currently under nhtsa investigation.) since new part didn't work, old part was reinstalled and new one returned to dealer. the dealer wants to charge 300.00 just to tell me why brakes won't work and is aware of what has already been tried. brake lights still not operational. *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
06/02/200750000705/29/2006
 Water pump failed, took to dealer for replacement, gas pump failed took it to shop to replace it, gas tank lid failed, both one from dealer to replace it, engine cooling system failed, transmission failed, took it to shop they refuse to fix, they say is not their fault and is not cover by warranty anymore, window motor failed, windshield wiper switch failed, headlights failed, coolant container crack, replaced with new one from dealer. stop light recalled. air filtering system retains water which allows mold to grow, air filters replaced. *tr
06/15/200740000705/29/2006
 Water pump failed, took to dealer for replacement, gas pump failed took it to shop to replace it, gas tank lid failed, both one from dealer to replace it, engine cooling system failed, transmission failed, took it to shop they refuse to fix, they say is not their fault and is not cover by warranty anymore, window motor failed, windshield wiper switch failed, headlights failed, coolant container crack, replaced with new one from dealer. stop light recalled. air filtering system retains water which allows mold to grow, air filters replaced. *tr
02/23/200776000210/17/2005
 Land rover freelander hse 2002: at 70,000 miles, transmission halts, seizing, rapid rpm jumps; less than one month later, the transmission completely died. inoperable car towed and transmission rebuilt at private shop. five miles from shop after pickup, car seized and died. now, an additional repair of the transfer case, which we were told caused the transmission failure. now, service engine soon light on; battery keeps dying. rapid depreciation, frequent repairs of brakes, brake pads, headlights, etc. complained to manufacturer 2/23/2007. car inoperable as of this date. don't know what to do -- owe more than it's worth, cannot get full nada/kbb trade in value...frustrated and disappointed. and out of money. *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
01/05/2002001/05/2002
 Both brake lights and rear turn signals are located far low down into the rear bumper; difficult for other drivers to see; could easily cause rearend collisiion.