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 2003 Land Rover Freelander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At 88,000 miles, my 2003 Land Rover Freelander lost ~80% of power while going up a hill on a major high way and started to billow smoke. After steering the vehicle out of traffic, I popped the hood to find the material on the lower side of the hood on fire. Upon putting this fire out, I realized there was still a large amount of smoke coming from the underside of the engine cover and my anti-freeze was empty, when served only a couple weeks prior. After letting the vehicle cool, I took off the engine cover to find it had a mixture of coolant and oil resting on top of it; a dark-milky colored liquid. Upon having it towed and further inspected by a professional, not only is my head gasket gone, a fitting on the a radiator line had melted above the engine, and a catalytic converter is as well. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Land Rover free lander. The contact stated that in January 2011, the cooling system began to leak abnormally, the radiator hose fractured from the vehicle and the engine caught on fire. The following month, the engine continued to overheat, the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they repaired the cooling thermostat, hoses and power steering pump. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the intake valves, thermostat and power steering pump were replaced. The ABS failure was not repaired and the warning light remained illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when driving various speeds, the vehicle would jerk violently and exhibit an abnormally loud noise. …
2000 landrover Freelander - transmission failure at 57K miles. Transmission cost me 1150 dollars to fix. \ the fuel pump failed after another 100 miles. That cost me 1050 dollars. This car was junk. The car has since been in an accident which totaled it. But I can't prove the car was at fault, but I'll bet it was.
The Land Rover Freelander is not a safe car. I feel this car is very dangerous to the consumer with all the problems people are having with this car. I am having the same problems that I am seeing on the internet that my fellow Freelander owners are having sunroof problems, brakes, oil leaks, transmission problems at low mileage, heater core leak that cause windows to mist at 30,000-40,000 miles that is very dangerous for consumers and I feel the NHTSA needs to check into these many defects and have Land Rover pay these consumers there money back and save lives. I have had my sunroof fixed twice with less than 40,000 miles, I have had a oil leak with less than 40,000 miles, presently I am dealing with a heater core leak at 50.400 just when my warranty is up and this is going to cost me 1,000 dollars and all Land Rover had to say was I am sorry. …
My Land Rover Freelander has been in to the dealership for coolant smells coming into the cabin 20+ times and has never been repaired. They have replaced external parts, (reservoir tank, hoses and thermostats) and never fixed the problem. After researching the problem while it was still under warranty on my own, I found a complaint about head gasket problems with the k series engine and was told by the dealer that they new nothing about it, and you can't believe everything you read on the internet. Since then I called the ca bureau of automotive repair and had an agent investigate. The dealership offered to send it to another warranty shop which found a bad head gasket. I also called l/r direct to try and find out what they May be able to do for me. They told me they would not replace the engine because it cost $11,000 +, and the replacement engine will fail also. …
Prior to this major problem, the car has had several minor electrical issues: windows getting stuck in up and down position, rear wiper malfunction; also, unable to defrost driver's side of windshield. Car has been in the shop on two separate occasions for issues that were not quick fixes: 1. Brake work 2. Car got stuck in gear and was unable to reverse. For the past few months, car has been revving when driving between 10 and 20mph. Most recently, it braked hard and suddenly without the driver pressing the brake. Currently, the car is flashing f and 4 in the dash display and is unable to accelerate. The car is unable to climb even the slightest of inclines. The driver was able to drive it to an auto repair shop. The mechanic at the shop believes the transmission is "shot", but suggested having it diagnosed at a mr. Transmission.
I have 78K on my '03 Land Rover Freelander and the transmission just went out with the f-4 flashing on the odometer, check engine light on, and the hill descent/traction control lights coming on. Took it to the dealer which I have the warranty through, and they said it needs to be replaced for $3300, and the warranty company won't cover it. It has been in the shop since the end of feb '08 and I still haven't gotten it back, nor does anyone have any info on it. As far as events leading up to the incident, there was no warnings. It was running fine on the day prior, but then the next day it started shifting hard and the all the lights and codes occurred.
I have a landrover Freelander 2003. The car needed a new engine at 41,000 miles and right after that transmission seals had to be repaired right after that air. Heating units were replaced now the car is at 73,000 miles and the dealer is telling me that I need a new engine again for the same problem coolant and oil mixing ,which was the problem I had in 2007 when they replaced the engine. The car is at the dealer for the past two weeks and they are refusing to give me a loaner because I have contacted Land Rover to see what they are going to do about the garbage of a car and they are taking their time resolving the issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Land Rover Freelander. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the transmission began to jerk violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the shift solenoid sensor was replaced. The mechanic also detected the transmission intake valves were damaged. In addition, the rear passenger automatic window regulator failed to operate and the sun roof motor exhibited faulty wiring. The vehicle had not been repaired for the additional defects. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
I am having problem with the entire engine system. I spent $1000 repairing the timing belt, yet the timing belt persist with engine failure. Mass airflow meter keep blowing up, I am bought 3 at $325 so far. I have spent another $2000 to get the engine fixed still no solutions. Highlight keeps coming on every time I press the brake light. The car won't speed up check engine lights come on, SRS light is on everything in this car is bad as a result make it real unsafe. Please people try to do something for the people that drive this and hopefully get it off the market.
Transmission complaints in other Freelander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Land Rover Freelander?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Land Rover Freelander, 19% of the model year's 140 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Land Rover Freelander transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Land Rover Freelander, though it has 5 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 2003 Land Rover Freelander transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.