Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Mechanical problems immediately after purchase required 4-5 trips to dealership before they fixed it. I don't' recall the exact problem. Sunroof motor died & had to be replaced. Left rear window regulator died and had to be replaced. Right rear window regulator died and had to be replaced. Broken latch on hood had to be replaced. Check engine light and excessive cranking 6/1/02 and 8/17/02 dealership cleared codes no repairs. Service engine soon light and excessive cranking 9/17/02, dealership replaced leaking fuel pump. Service engine soon light and shifting problems 3/2006, dealership sent me home no repairs. Service engine soon light and car lost power while driving, throttle body had a short and dealership replaced. Service engine soon light and delay in shifting from 2nd to 3rd 9/1/08. Have not had this diagnosed yet. Suspect bad solenoids or transmission failure.
I bought a Freelander in 2002. It was brand new. I have had so many troubles with the vehicle. The one that is currently being worked as a lemon law case is the sun roof. I have had it break for the 5th time now. They have replaced it once and swapped parts the other 3 times and still nothing will fix it. I am currently working with my local state office of consumer affairs to try and remedy this issue. They currently are working on the 5th breakage today. Not sure what they will do to try and fix that issue. Not to the mention the breaking system that is a nightmare. I had to replace the brakes at 30000 after they dug into the rotors. The downhill decent light comes on with the traction control light for no reason. The brain for the cruise control went out. This car is a constant headache.
2002 Land Rover Freelander - 72,000 miles: replaced 3 window regulators last year. On my way to work one morning & hill descent light came on, f / 4 light flashes, and it is jerky / jumpy while driving. No one can figure out the problem - 3 Land Rover dealerships in 5 weeks. My car is now 100 miles away, I was told it was fixed, but when I got there it was still doing the same thing. They looked at it again & I was told I need a new transmission for $4800. For some reason, no one could pick up the problem with the testers. I loved my car but after reading about all the chronic problems I don't know what to do with it. Plus, I owe about the same amount as the transmission! I will never buy a Land Rover again & they should be held responsible for all of these defective vehicles!
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.
2002 Land Rover Freelander experienced a vehicle fire. The consumer addressed dealership several times, Land Rover told him that the vehicle did not meet the Mexico lemon law guidelines and they were not in any position to repurchase the vehicle. The consumer also complained about other problems with the vehicle such as electrical problems, the rear passenger door did not unlock with the remote, drivers rear seat did not fold, the rear window did not go up when it was cold and the drivers seat was squeaky. The consumer had made numerous complaints to the dealership before the fire occurred.
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.
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.
My 2002 Land Rover Freelander had an engine failure in September 2006. This is a common problem with this make of vehicle and cost me $6,849.61 to replace since I was out of warranty. Other popular problems with this vehicle are problems with the window motors. My sunroof and two backdoor windows would not operate properly. I could only pay to repair the backdoor windows at the expense of $904.88. Also, the drivers side door lock does not function properly, but I was not able to have that fixed.
2002 Land Rover Freelander with only 65,000 miles has had repairs that are beyond what should be normal, including a new transmission at 45,000 miles, two window regulators, multiple coolant leaks, blown head gasket. Dangerous on the road, due to stalling out for no reason, and overheating constantly. Have had to pay for multiple tows. Today, engine overheated in mall parking lot, leaving me stranded. All coolant poured onto the ground. Car needs a new engine at only 65,000 miles.
This is about transmission failure for 2002 landrover/Freelander. Keeping the car in best shape and maintaining on schedule, still the transmission went bad with less than 40,000 mileage. Car warranty is for 50K or 4 years. Unfortunately, the warranty was up in January 2006. Engine has special noise and car is coming apart. Window does not roll up and down, rear seat got stuck and wouldn't get its position. One problem after another, but the main one is the transmission.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Freelander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Land Rover Freelander?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Land Rover Freelander, 12% of the model year's 226 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Land Rover Freelander window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.