2004 Land Rover Freelander recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. ON 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.
What could happen: FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS 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 INTERI…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 FREELANDER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Land Rover dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V041000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: ON 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: FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS 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.
Notes: LAND 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.
2. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT MARGINALLY ABOVE THE PERMITTED 1000 HEAD IMPACT CRITERIA. AT THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE A-PILLAR TRIM WITH A REVISED COMPONENT THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE TO FULLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 FREELANDER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Land Rover dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V347000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-637-6837.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Summary: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT MARGINALLY ABOVE THE PERMITTED 1000 HEAD IMPACT CRITERIA. AT THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE A-PILLAR TRIM WITH A REVISED COMPONENT THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE TO FULLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
Notes: LAND ROVER RECALL NO. B176. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
3. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.
What could happen: THE OCCUPANT MAY OPEN THE DOOR INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 FREELANDER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Land Rover dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V300000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-637-6837.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.
Consequence: THE OCCUPANT MAY OPEN THE DOOR INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
Notes: LAND ROVER RECALL NO. B011. CUSTOMERS CAN 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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2004 Land Rover Freelander owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (55), Visibility (wipers / glass) (9), Transmission / drivetrain (9), Electrical system (8), Brakes (6).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/04/2013 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
I HAVE A LAND ROVER FREE LANDER 2004 I BOUGHT IT WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT, IT RAN FINE FOR A WHILE THEN THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS MAL- FUNCTIONED. THE PEOPLE WHO SAT IN THE BACK SEAT COULD NOT GET OUT I HAD TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE.THE SUN ROOF STOP WORKING AS DID THE REAR WINDOWS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK. I TRIED TO START IT THREE WEEKS AGO…
01/02/2013 · Electrical system
REAR TAIL LAMP HOUSINGS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES CAUSING THE BULBS NOT TO WORK. THIS CREATED A SITUATION WHERE ONLY ONE OR NONE OF THE LAMPS WERE WORKING. I REPLACED THEM AND LATER FOUND OUT THAT A RECALL OR INVESTIGATION WAS ISSUED BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. INTERIOR DOME LIGHT HAS FAILED TWICE. HEADLAMP FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN LOW BEAM SIX TIMES AND IN HIGH…
01/01/2013 · Transmission / drivetrain
VEHICLE HAD ENGINE FAILURE AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP DURING ACCELERATION. AFTER A DIAGNOSES IT WAS THE RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE THERMOSTAT HOUSING THAT RELEASED THE COOLANT ONTO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. AT THE CURRENT TIME THE AUTOMOBILE HAS HAD 39 DIFFERENT PROBLEMS DIAGNOSED SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE IN 2004. *TR
06/06/2012 · Engine
MY SON TURNED 16 ON MARCH 18, 2012. WE WANTED AN SUV THAT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE. WE WANTED A CAR WITH LOWER MILEAGE. WE FOUND A 2004 LAND ROVER FREELANDER AT A LOCAL DEALER WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES. CAR WAS IN AWESOME SHAPE INSIDE AND OUT. NEW TIRES, ETC. PAID $9,500. A FEW DAYS LATER TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL LAND ROVER DEALER IN PORTLAND OREGON TO HA…
04/09/2012 · Engine
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL 2010 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. IT HAD 79,600 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT HAD JUST RECENTLY HAD A TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO OPEN THE HOOD - PASSENGER SIDE. 2 MONTHS LATER AND IT DIES ON ME GOING DOWN THE STREET. I PULL OVER AND ANTIFREEZE IS RUNNI…
02/28/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HAVE A ROUGH 2ND TO 3RD SHIFT AROUND 60,000 MI. COMPLETE 3RD GEAR FAILURE BY 69,000. CAR WILL ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 25 MPH AND THEN SHIFT INTO 3RD AND ITS LIKE BEING IN N CAR WILL COAST AND ENGINE WILL REV. HAVE TO INSTALL NEW TRANSMISSION. SHOP SAID IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE CONDITION OF THE CAR THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN ABUSED, AND THAT A TRANS…
10/22/2011 · Engine
LIKE THE MYRIAD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE, (HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?14@@.F142477/93#MSG93, HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EEA90DB, HTTP://WWW.BUSINESSWEEK.COM/THE_THREAD/BLOGSPOTTING/ARCHIVES/2005/07/BLOGGER_TAKES_O.HTML FOR A TINY EXAMPLE) I TOO BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME OVERHEATING PROBLEMS NOT TOO FAR PAS…
09/21/2011 · Engine
MY 2004 FREELANDER WAS PURCHASED FROM ROYALTY AUTO SALES IN LITTLE FERRY NJ ON APRIL 19, 2010 WITH 52,000 MILES. WE ALSO PURCHASED FROM SAME DEALER A 1-YEAR WARRANTY FROM A WARRANTY COMPANY REPRESENTED BY THE DEALER MIDATLANTIC WARRANTY COMPANY. WE PUT A $6,500 DOWNPAYMENT ON THE VEHICLE, AND FINANCED $7,000. THE PROBLEM STARTED WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER DRIVIN…