Land Rover Freelander 1 (1998-2006)

My dream car since I was 16 is perfect! – When I was 16 I told my dad I would buy this car, he was also a Landrover enthusiast. 20years later I bought a Freelander 1 , 2005 (the 2nd last year of the Freelander 1) and avoided the pitfalls of the earlier similar looking modals with dodgy engines,(usually pre 2004 you can tell the old modal by the non transparent head lights) Love the… Read more

styling, all the extra luxury features, like cruise control, abs brakes, airbags, rear fog lights, rear wiper, side opening boot, leather seats, central cup holders, sunroof, electric windows, Harmon Kardon speakers, double din stereo space (I upgraded mine to an An Alpine Double Din Unit with Navigation and reverse camera), great mags, mean styling, lots of accessories originally made for cars. Mine is Hardtop 2005 TD4 model turbo diesel and is really fast if you want it to be. Also rear seats fold up to double the boot space. So comfortable to drive and still turns heads in 2020.

Timing belt snapped at 80,000 k – Bought an immaculate Freelander with 70,000 km , or so I thought.Found it was running rough. Took it to a land rover specialist who gave me a list of weird and wonderfull things to fix $4000 , no mention of timing, bearing in roller or belt needing doing. Manual said 100,000k for belt. Went to two more mechanics And same thing, inconsistent… Read more

compression, arching on ignition coils, vacuum hoses but still no mention of timing. Guess what 80000 k and it dropped a timing belt , owed five months and told $6,500 to fix. Just not worth it, throw the car away and buy something else. Was it the car or land rover covering up everything and not disclosing times for repairs to the mechanical problems. If I was told to do the timing belt it would of been done, now we have bought a different car. Out of pocket 7k , I didn't believe it was worth fixing after finding out these cars have water pump problems , cast block with aluminium sleeves that move, gearbox issues, viscous coupling issues and so on. How can one car get so much wrong and cost unsuspecting owners enormous amounts of money. the post across the globe are really disturbing.

Freelander TD4 automatic – The freelander 1 is not the best car to drive and it certainly lacks refinement, the interior is pretty basic the leather seats in the HSE are prone to splitting and the Sat Nav works from a cd put into the radio system and is a complete waste of time. The car is possibly the worse and most unreliable car I have ever had with electrical problems… Read more

which include the electric windows and the radio cutting out intermittently. The car leaked diesel every time it started from cold had a small oil leak was pretty unresponsive and lack luster for the first 5 minutes from cold was not good at speeds over 60mph and had sensor and master air flow problems. It often threw out black smoke . I had this car from October until January during that time it leaked so much diesel onto the block paving I still can't get it out, and on top of all that the TD4 HSE is £500 per year road taxi would advise anyone to think twice before buying a freeekander 1 you would be far better buying an Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe or Kia Sportage all of which are far more reliable than the freelander.

no problems to date – We have a 2002 v6 freelander es hardtop, purchased 9 years ago. It has 210,000klms. on the clock and to date have only changed a brake pedal switch worth $30 in the last 9 years. Previous to this had a v8 discovery for 11 years and only replaced a water pump, Personally i would not buy anything else. Having said that: It comes down to how hard you push your vehicle.You push anything hard it will break down .  Show details

I have 2002 landrover freelander v6 es. I have not had no problems with my girl ol black bess – Great driving experience easy handling full leather heated seats easy to use dash plenty room in front and excellent room once seats are folded in the back. My fuel costs are fantastic. I can't say a bad word about my black bess. I wouldn't change my car never ever. Love her would only change her if I had to.  Show details

A bit of a mixed bag – My wife bought a 2001 v6 auto freelander from a family member. Previously only used on short trips, we live in regional Vic and the thermostat went followed by the fuel pump. In my experience I have found that Brit cars are built of solid materials but are put together too quickly or just badly. (This is born out by a recent T.V. series where… Read more

various Brit cars were rebuilt and found to be very good). This car is exceptional off road (for it's type) but needs a little more power for the highway. Acceleration is acceptable but not O/S for a v6. (Very heavy in its class, check comparable weights). Astheticaly it needs wider tyres and a better grille. Seats need to go further back and the wagon space needs just a little more. Column and dash controls haven't been well thought out. Economy is acceptable (good when you consider its heavier weight). Ride and handling are good for its type but the power steering seems a little heavy at very low speeds. It is over engineered and could have been improved upon during design. Part of the problem is that it has changed owners several times (Jag/Rover, Ford, BMW and now Tata. This has caused a mish mash of components. Runs better on 95 or higher octane.

The worst car I've ever owned!!! – I have owned a MY02 LAND ROVER FREELANDER ES (4x4) 3D SOFTBACK 5 SP AUTOMATIC STEPTRONIC 2.5L since 2010, and have never had a service bill less than $800! The list of grievances is long; The onboard computer died needing a replacement shipping from South Africa for about $1,000; The timing belt needs replacing (meaning a complete engine… Read more

overhaul) every 100,000 Kms (60,000 Mi) at a cost in excess of $2,500; The front and rear dif mounts have both snapped twice - about $800 to replace each time; The muffler cracked; The electric window motors have gone in each window and were about $300 each motor; The 2/4 and 2/5 brake solenoids have gone and are housed in the transmission and will be $5,500 plus to replace. This means the car only drives in "limp" mode (no torque) and "F" & "4" flash on the gear display; The Cruise Control has just died swell. Cosmetically the upholstery on the seats wore out within the first 2 years; The "leather" gear shift lever cover flaked; The lining of the soft top (the marketing people called a soft back" all came away and left black flakes raining from the roof all the time (great on your white shirt); The side 'clear' plastic removable windows on the "soft back" became crazed/fogged and then eventually cracked with the sun allowing water in. The Air-conditioner needs regaling every year and performs dismally. All this for a car that has only done 135,000 Kms (84,000 Mi). This car is definitely the worst car I've ever owned and Land Rover should be apologise to the public for releasing such a lemon. I would even go as far as to say it warrants a class action. Avoid Land Rover at all costs!!!!!

Quality at it's worst – I bought a 2002 Freelander TD4 partly hoping that my previous experience with a Land Rover Discovery would not be repeated. Well, it wasn't just repeated it was catastrophically worse. Driving it out of the showroom we had it for 8 hours before the motor blew up, (snapped the crankshaft in two places).....Yes, that's right 8 hours!!! It had the… Read more

BMW 2Lt diesel engine, and BMW were good about it. They immediately air freighted another complete motor out from Germany with instructions that the destroyed motor be returned back to Germany in the crate. But that was just the first of many costly problems. We were returning from Sydney and had reached Neranderra in country NSW when the harmonic balancer (bottom pulley on the front of the engine) disintegrated. We had to have the vehicle brought all the way back to Adelaide on a tray top truck. I used bio diesel once....just as many other diesel engine vehicles do and it destroyed the fuel system, another $1,400. The crank angle sensor had to be replaced and numerous other things. The body construction was poor with panel margins that let in wind and water. The rear tailgate latch just broke off one day!!! Had to replace two water pumps....and on and on...all in less than 100,000 Kms.

I should have known, I had a very bad run previously with a Discovery and I should have known better than to jump into another Land Rover but, I thought 'Surely lightning can't strike in the same place twice' ...but it did!

I don't know quite how the English motor industry has managed to go from the best in the world to the worst, but it has. I will not deviate from Japanese cars now. At least you can leave home in one and know it will get you back again. I have a 2004 Honda Civic hatch that has covered 263,520 Kms and nothing has ever broken down on it. The only thing I have had to replace due to failure was the battery, but I did get almost 10 years out of the one Honda supplied. I recently thought about buying a new Honda Civic hatch until I found out they are now made in Swindon in England!!!! On learning that, I thought no way, I will never have anything to do with another vehicle built in England!

I was Sucked In – I bought a freelander 1998 3 mnths ago. Clutch has gone, ABS sensor replaced, drive shaft replaced after 3 different ones, engine light and hill desent light and traction light comes on all the time and no one can fix it. Cant wait to get rit of the heap of rubbish

bad car, dont go there! – Had a 1999 turbo diesel model purchased off a family member. Worst car I've ever owned. Multiple problems one after the other spent way more in repairs than what i paid for it. Last thing temp gauge stuffed up car would cut out and engine light flashed on, land rover spares DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG ! very costly in parts and servicing ... DON'T GO THERE!! not much! everything, expensive repairs ! Show details

Pretty but with no substance 1998 petrol freelander – I'm surprised it made it off the production line. Wouldn't make the standards now. Pretty and fun looking which you don't enjoy as nervous most of the time it will make it to your destination. Mechanics hate working on it...badly designed engine that overheats ..drive shaft issues.. the list goes on. Landrover should buy them all back to protect… Read more

their brand. Will never go near a Landrover again!!! pretty comfortable sunroof engine... driveshaft... locks electrics... what isn't wrong with it.

Absolute garbage – Bought new in 2001, turbo crapped itself at 1500kms, replaced and crapped itself again at 25000kms, brakes replaced at 11000kms, no service left us without minimum $450.00 gone, electrics failed at 14000kms , back to Landrover Service dept, another 4 days with no vehicle, thankfully sold it at 32000kms to some sucker, at terrible resale price. All in all, cost me years of my life, Absolute garbage! The look. Listed. Show details

Terrible – WORST financial decision we ever made. Do your homework, you dont have to look far to see that the Land Rover Freelander is a LOSER CRUISER. The Freelander sucks!!! Nice looking vehicle Where do I start...this vehicle cost us an absolutely fortune in repairs - the most expensive being $2500 on a new viscous coupling unit. It also had faulty… Read more

electrics, a 'mystery' coolant leak, roof lining falling down, oil leak, gas guzzler, the list goes on. Seriously, how can one car have so many problems? We only owned the vehicle for just over a year, needless to say we were more than dissapointed.

Terrible – Dreadful car. We owned ours for 11 months, and it was a source of constant stress. We sold it as soon as we could. Highly unreliable car with massive problems with the engine and very expensive parts as well. Looks good and like driving in armchari. We had a 2000 model, petrol engine. It was a nightmare. Loads of costly repairs - fix one thing and another would break!

Comfortable, reliable - decent little soft wheeler – Bought a diesel Td4 Freelander in early 2001. It has done about 130K including some rough farm work (spotlighting etc...!), and is still a very comfortable car. Very glad we bought the diesel instead of the V6 petrol available at the time, as the V6 is apparently a lemon. Everything still works well in the car, and it runs as if it was still… Read more

new. It is quite zippy, but very economical to run.

Not everything about it is perfect, but I'd definitely consider getting another one when this one dies.

Clutch master/slave cylinder is a sealed unit, so you have to replace it if it leaks fluid. Turbo hose has needed replacing twice (in 130K). Well built interior, and diesel engine, make it as good as new 130K and 11 years down the track. Clutch system is expensive to repair when it goes (and it will sooner or later). My head almost touches the roof and I'm only 185cm (6'1").

Good – I've owned a petrol engine car 2002 model for about a year now. Haven't had any major issues with the car and car has always been well looked after. Drive is so comfortable and enjoyable. Not the best fuel efficient like any petrol 4 wheel drive but the luxury and comfort of driving one of these cars is so worth it. Great looking car and drive is so comfortable. Petrol.

Excellent – Great vehicle with nothing against. After sales service has been extraordinary by Landrover. This car is an excellent blend of capability, performance, the size to carry a load, and fuel milage. The turbo diesel engine is fantastic. 2009 Model is exceptional to drive and comfort is excellent. Have the turbo diesel version which is responsive and quick for a vehicle of it's size. Impressive performance and fuel milage. Nothing to dislike

Terrible – It is widely accepted by 4WD mechanics that Freelander K-series 1.8lt engines are known to drop the cylinder liners into the block. Because the liners are steel and the block is alloy, the liners being harder, work their way into the block. The bad news is; If the liners are too low, the engine needs to be replaced - this is fact, confirmed by… Read more

Land Rover. In some cases engines have been replaced several times, at average intervals of only 50000 km. That's not just bad luck.... that's a design fault. Looks solid. Poor reliability.

Good – Purchased a demo 2002MY V6 SE in late 2004 with a 4500 km's. I have now owned the vehicle for 5 years and it has done approximately 110000 km's in that time. This has included various road trips on poor quality dirt roads in country and outback areas where it has excelled. The vehicle has decent off road capabilities for an AWD vehicle though is… Read more

hampered by its relatively limited ground clearance. In the 5 years I have owned the vehicle it has broken down once with a fuel pump which required replacing. I would recommend the 2002 V6 as a decent vehicle for anyone interested in camping trips or similar but not serious 4wding. Enjoyable vehicle to drive on dirt roads and easy tracks. Comfortable. Decent acceleration from the V6 engine and good cruising on the highway. Factory fitted pirrellis wear out quickly and need to be replaced with after market all terrain tyres. Expensive to service generally. Fronts discs tend to wear out. Very expensive service on cam belts on V6 engine at 100K approximately.

Bad – DO NOT BUY A PETROL ENGINED ONE!!!!!!!!! I mean it, don't even consider it, look around and get a diesel, or just go out and get a Discovery. Landrover do build good cars, the K and L petrol engines should never have been put in them! A brilliant concept of a 4wd, stylish to look at and nice to drive DO NOT BUY A PETROL ENGINED ONE!!!!!!!!! Once… Read more

the head gasket goes, you may as well throw the car away. Also, the rear window electrics in the soft top version can be a bit dicky

Bad – These cars are nothing but trouble! My husband has a workshop specialising in Land Rovers and is forever getting these in with massive and costly problems. The most common problem is blown head gaskets which are extremely costly to fix. On most occasions if you proceed to fix the problem the repairs will cost more than the car is worth. Beware of… Read more

these cars. I would recommend paying a little extra and buying either the discovery or range rover, yes they may be bigger, but you won't regret it. I'm sure there are those that have bought these with no problems but I can tell you, we have seen more with major problems than without! They look good and are a smaller type 4WD for people that want a 4WD but prefer smaller cars They are nothing but trouble! Keep away!

Terrible – Fuel pump is expensive & after replacement gasket problems came up- unexplained. Lots of engine problems..My fuel pumped failed in the middle of a journey(no warnings), costed heaps for replacmnt-$2.4KAUD. After this chnge,engine kept giving problems of heating up & coolent runs dry, sometimes every 4 to 5 days.. looks like a baby Rhino, I was… Read more

attracted to its look- the 2-door compact version Expensive car & you get bad Customer service, that they make you wait just when waiting to send the car in for service&w/out letting u know waiting time..@Artarmon serv centre.how hard is it to pick the car up & its keys? Leaves me to be late for work..

OK – Purchased mine with 50,000 on clock now have 220,000 on clock, serviced regularly, never cheap, and when parts broke usually a lengthy wait and a big hit on the wallet. You need to have someone that knows these actually work on them otherwise you must assume that the job will have to be re-visited, they seem to have lots of quirks that make… Read more

mechanics cringe. V6 Petrol SE, average 10.5lt/100km. Storage in the rear is limited for an SUV of this size. If not for the servicing and parts costs I would get another, but the amount I have had to spend on this car is stupid. Comfortable to drive, drives very well, good passenger space. Servicing and parts costs, OUCH!

Terrible – landerover need to start making replacement parts that arnt faulty so we can all have piece of mind,and not have to worry about breaking down every 20k. nice looking car great to drive ,i have the soft back and it has had plenty of problems . 3 fuel pumps and then i found someone that could fix the problem with them.landrover just made me… Read more

replace them eack time there was a problem.

new gear box after the viscus stopped working, this is the part that keeps it in awd all the time. landrover just dont wont to give you the time of day when there is a problem, they just wont your money money money and it is always alot everytime.

Terrible – Its unreliable and has cost a fortune to keep. We've spoken to many other people about our problems an and it appears that the Freelander is notoriously poorly built. For a small SUV, it goes well and feels solid Reliability

Excellent – Good customer service from country dealer before and after purchase.Fantastic service/maintainencefrom "Roverland"tech's. "Tech's.We cannot fault the car dealer or service tech's.that we have dealt with over these years. in fact we find them very obliging. Very comfortable,good to drive,classy,smart looking 2001 Freelander Wagon. Nil Issues.

Good – Fantastic little vehicle with known problems that are not as bad, or as expensive to rectify, as some would have you believe. (Just stay away from main agents) Absolute bargain to buy used in the UK because of the horror stories regarding the overheating problems. Just buy one and save thousands on the true used retail value and be prepared to… Read more

spend £250 on a cylinder head gasket (just keep an eye on the coolant level) or at the very worst £975 for a full recon engine, which should last at least 5-7 years Looks and comfort for this class and price of vehicle Reliability issues, and main dealers attitude and prices!

OK – Thought this would be a great car, now considering selling once repaired and getting a Mazda. If anyone else has similar problems on 2001 SE please advise as I wish to go further with landrover australia, the costing is just a joke princess_shaza@hotmail.com looks good, more room in rear than other mid 4wd expensive - just blew ird, 5 moths out… Read more

of warranty, 69000km on clock, LR cannot tell me why this has happened and this replacement is not for a branded LR ird that costs 8500 + labour