2002 Land Rover Freelander Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 121about this part
- Share
- 54%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,034miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 121 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Land Rover Freelander, 54% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,034 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine started to overheat so I pulled over on the interstate and let engine cool, this continued until I was able to make it home. Dealer now says that the engine needs a new heads and head gaskets. Apparently this is a common problem on this vehicle. After locating this site I do believe that this is a defect in manufacturing.”
NHTSA complaint #10227544, filed 2008-05, 58,000 miles“The car is just poorly designed and a disaster. Despite our regular maintenance at manufacturer's dealers & at normal intervals, the car's engine & transmission failed. Repair costs readily exceeded the value of the vehicle. All with less than 65,000 miles. Land rover & ford were un-willing to assist in any way. We are out of the car and will not purchase lr or ford products in the future.”
NHTSA complaint #10217436, filed 2008-02, 61,500 miles“I have had my 2002 Land Rover Freelander maintained meticulously... But the engine kept over heating and I had disappearing coolant. Now I am in need of a 3rd engine and I only have 62,000 miles on my car. Since my vehicle is out of warranty a new engine will cost me $10,000. Land rover said they would pay half of a new engine. But admit they put a faulty engine in 2 years ago when I received my 2nd engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10260628, filed 2009-03, 62,000 miles“I have a 2002 landrover Freelander and recently I ad to put coolant in the car almost every day. The mechanic states it is a very expensive repair job, if the hose can be found and replaced. The car have been inoperable for about 3 weeks now. I love the Freelander, but it appear to be very problematic.”
NHTSA complaint #10248374, filed 2008-11, 35,000 miles“I have a 2002 landrover Freelander. I just had a head gasket replaced at 80,000 miles. And now I think the transmission is going out. There are to many complaints on the land rovers for something not to be done. They need to be held responsible. These cars are not safe.”
NHTSA complaint #10226780, filed 2008-05, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10203425Apr 8, 2013The in-line fuel filters in the fuel delivery modules of 2002 - 2005 model year Land Rover Freelander vehicles may be manufactured away from specification. The filters may…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Land Rover Freelander
83 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Land Rover Freelander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology