Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Land Rover Freelander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I just purchased the vehicle from a gentleman. He had purchased the vehicle two years ago at 88,000 miles, and started having trouble with the transmission about two months ago. About three weeks ago the gentleman had the vehicle towed to his service center who then notified him that his transmission needs replacing. I have bought the vehicle and plan to replace the transmission. It does seem a bit early for a two owner vehicle at 110,000 to need a new transmission. It was well cared for not abused.
The car was purchased new in 2002. With only 23,000 miles, the vehicle has been out of service for 43 days with catastrophic mechanical failures, including: 21 days for a new wiring harness; 3 days for a new gearshift assembly and 8 days for a new transmission and ECU and front brakes. Additionally, the vehicle has been in the shop 8 times for warranty repairs; and brakes. The vehicle is currently in the shop where it was been for the last 11 days with the dealer once again trying to resolve warning light and transmission issue. I have had problems with the vehicle shifting to lower gears by itself at freeway speeds. In addition all of the on-board failure lights coming on and stay on routinely. The car continues to be plagued by electrical/mechanical problems. …
I purchased a new 2002 Freelander from Land Rover fort worth (tx) in January of 2002. While under warranty the car had numerous problems. My warranty expired in February of 2006 (4 years), but due to my low mileage 32,000 miles, I did not purchase an extended warranty. Since February 2006, I have replaced the brakes for the 3rd time ($1000), had the engine overheat due to a faulty temp gauge which in turn blew the intake gasket ($1500), replaced the heater core again (pd. For by dealership), and am now faced with replacing the entire transmission ($5000). My transmission trouble began in early August 2006, when the car began to jerk and shudder unexpectedly. I immediately took the car into the dealership to check out the issue. They replaced the transmission temp sensor and said the care was fixed. …
During the repair of our transmission, we began to get check engine lights. After the transmission was fixed, it was taken to the dealer for service. Upon driving to the dealer, the car had no power. This became very difficult to drive and dangerous. Trying to get up to the 65 MPH speed limit on a freeway took almost 2 miles. I was also worried the car would stall in traffic due to this condition. The car was serviced and it was determined that the mass airflow sensor and the variable intake motors 1 and 2 had failed. The variable intake motors had failed 15,000 miles /12 months before and were replaced during the long block replacement. After all repairs were completed the car was taken home. The next day the check engine light came on. The following day I scheduled an appointment. During the drive to the dealer, the same power problems were present. …
On two separate occasions, one days after my car was cleared for a second time by a Land Rover dealer. My car went into 'limited perfomance mode' while I was commuting to work....I was in the high speed lane and the middle lane and my car would not accelerate about 20 MPH. I had to call 911 on the second occasion as it happened because I was in the merge of 2 highways in the evening. My car also had downshifting problems where the downhill decent control would come on out of nowhere causing my car to buck forward and drop down to second gear. The dealership again said that is could not be duplicated 3 times before they finally found something and then it kept happening anyway. My transmission let go on the highway at just over 60K miles and then my engine lining shifted spewing oil only about 2 months after. …
I took my 2002 Land Rover Freelander into Land Rover to be service because my transmission was slipping and the check engine light was on. They said it wasn't the transmission but it was the upper intake manifold, the vacuum hoses, and sensor that was causing the problem. So we had them replace the manifold, hoses and sensors. The service manager keep narrating that it wasn't the transmission. We picked up the car the next day again the service manager assist it wasn't the transmission and the car is running perfectly. As soon as I went about 2 miles my transmission started slipping. I took the car back to Land Rover the next day irritated. The car spent 5 days at the shop trying to find out the problem. Which was indeed the transmission, they didn't offer to fix the transmission but to refund the money and put the old parts back in. …
I purchased a new 2002 Land Rover Freelander from Land Rover new orleans (paretti) on August 19, 2002. Since that time, the vehicle has had continuous problems. The power steering, transmission, transfer case (2), ird unit (2), front drive shaft, manifold chamber and other items have been replaced and the brake pads (2) have had to be changed. The vehicle only has 35,498 miles. After reviewing edmunds.com and other consumer resource sites, it appears that the problems that I encountered have also been encountered by others purchasing this vehicle. I have had 23 warranty claims on this vehicle and Land Rover north America, inc., as of January 2005, has paid in excess of $11,994.55 for repairs on a vehicle that had a purchase price of $30,603.77. …
Transmission failure in middle of rush hour traffic, nearly rear ended. Less than 60000 miles on vehicle. It lost forward momentum, then slammed into lower gear. Rpms jumped. F4 flashed on dashboard. Dealership quoted $5000.00 to replace transmission. February or March 2006 car overheated running errands on a cool day, engine rebuilt completed by dealership to replace thermostat $2000$ as warranty expired in January. Purchased new in January 2002, services exclusively at lr dealerships in richmond va, and charlotte nc. Anti-freeze odor inside the vehicle within first 3 months. Inspected and dismissed by dealership. Brake failure, used emergency brake to stop vehicle at less then 8500 miles, three months of ownership. Brake pad and rotor replacement required. Told it was driving habits. Dealership replaced an updated sensor. Sun roof fixed per recall within first year. …
My 2002 Land Rover Freelander left my family and I stranded on the highway twice and both events were very costly. I own the vehicle 16 months. The first break down occurred in hartford, al when the vehicle was towed back to the nearest dealer jax, fl 300 plus miles. A battery cable was replaced. The vehicle reached 48,000 miles when I made a formal complaint of engine noise and requested the dealership (mantheny Jaguar and Land Rover) perform the appropriate services to include noting any problems considering the warranty expired at 50000 MIL. After 50000 the vehicle literally began to break down mechanically. One noted cost of several was the replacement of the transmission at a cost of $4800.00 to repair. I believe any vehicle that has a major break down of this nature, the amercian consumers have a right to know. …
Bought a 2002 Land Rover Freelander used a little over a year ago with under 55,000 miles. Just got it back yesterday from the shop with an estimated repair cost of over $10000.00 and that is just in parts not labor. Did some research on the vehicle and come to find out others have had the same problems with less mileage on there vehicles and there have been absolutely no recalls on this vehicle that include any of these problems. The worst of which being the engine leaking antifreeze into the oil. This could cause the motor to overheat and seize and lock up. Who knows what kind of damage or what kind of accident this could have caused if this had happened to the vehicle when my wife was driving to work . We lucked out and discovered the problems before my wife, myself or anyone else got hurt. There are major problems with these vehicles and landrover should be held responsible.
Transmission complaints in other Freelander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Land Rover Freelander?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Land Rover Freelander, 37% of the model year's 226 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (72 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Land Rover Freelander transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2002 Land Rover Freelander, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Land Rover Freelander transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.