Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am driving down the road and the car shifts into extremely low gear (maybe 5 MPH), f4 flashes, and the service engine, hill descent control, and traction control light up. Once I can move to the side of the road, I can turn off the car, wait less than 5 minutes and the car starts without any of the lights. The vehicle only had about 42,000 miles when the problem started - one month after the warranty ran out. For the last two years, I've driven the vehicle less than 5,000 miles because it is not dependable. They change a sensor, it's OK for about two months then the same thing happens, they clean off parts and it's good for another couple of months then it happens again. I don't know what to do with this vehicle because it runs fine when it is working! This is extremely dangerous, especially if you are on the interstate and your auto suddenly goes from 60-75 MPH to 5 MPH.
2005 Land Rover (free lander): shifting rears from drive (d) to reverse (r) resulted in broken gear linkage cable on one occasion. The SUV became totally immovable and unsafe (locked in park mode) in the middle of the street. Vehicle had to be towed on flatbed to dealer after two tow truck drivers (mechanics) manuvered the vehicle to a safe position. Dealer replaced with new gear selector with cable . Cost $1019.23.
Im an owner of a '04 Freelander Land Rover hse. The car is properly maintained, has 63K in the odometer. I bought the car last oct 07 with 49K on it. A few weeks after the 50K warranty ran out, the front axle broke down with out any reason at all. The car was 3 yr old, never driven off road, all highway miles on florida flat terrain. Then a two week ago, the car just suddenly stopped with an f4 warning on the dash. Brought it to Land Rover orlando and was diagnosed with a failed transmission, which will cost me $5700 to replace. Im now stuck with a broken car, with an upside down bank debt, and an almost value less "kelly blue book" car. For someone that has only been a year and a half in this country, and still building my credit record, I feel that this car was a real rip off. The manufacturer of the car should be able to help me out in the deep hole that im in now.
During high speeds (55-70 MPH) car would down shift into low gear for no reason. Check engine light would come on shortly after and car ran rough. On one occasion while pulling out onto a highway the car would not accelerate. Brakes replaced at approx. 11K miles. All recommended service was done on time according to the passport schedule. Stopped to get gas and car would not start. Had to get car towed 40 miles and take a taxi home. I went to arbitration with lrna and I got a 2005 replacement. See my 2nd post about this truck - engine is shot- head gasket broken, thermostat shot, breaks at 25K miles, cracked manifold, cracked engine hoses.
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. …
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. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Land Rover Freelander years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (83), 2003 (27) and 2004 (9) model years. Transmission complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Land Rover Freelander transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Land Rover Freelander model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Land Rover Freelander transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (94 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (1).
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.