Here's a sad story with a happy ending! My wife & own a 1.8 Freelander, it's 3years old, has done 49,100 miles, and is 1 month out of warranty. Last Sunday we were driving into the small market town of Louth, near our home, when my wife heard a 'screeching' sound coming from the front off-side, followed immediately by steam coming from under the bonnet. Yes ... you've guessed! ... it turned out to be the Head Gasket. Fortunately, because my wife noticed it so quickly, no further damage was done to the engine ... we were so thankful! The following day, our dealers, TMS-Lincoln had our car picked-up. I cannot praise them highly enough ... they were more than willing to accept our car 'under warranty' even though we had gone that 1 month beyond it. I mentioned that I would be contacting Land Rover to seek payment for the repair, owing to the design fault of the gasket. TMS-Lincoln placed our car on top priority, and it was repaired within 24 hours! The problem now was who should pay. My mother-in-law, fortunately told us that BBC-Watchdog had featured this major problem with the K-series head gasket in their last programme. It took 15 mins of 'hard discussion'to get Land Rover Customer Help to admit to this design feature ... but eventually they did. I was then told that if TMS were to state that it was indeed the head gasket which had caused the breakdown, then there was 'quite a good chance'they would pay for the repair, which would be ratified within 24 hours. When I contacted Land Rover after the repair, a different Customer Advisor told me that it would now take 5 working days before they could decide whether to pay or not. When I stated that a previous advisor had given me a different version of the company rules, I was told that was 'unfortunate'. When I asked to speak to his line-manager, I was told he was not available ... ['He is only available 25% of the time'] ... and so I was told rather abruptly that if I had 'a problem', I should contact the General Manager of Land Rover! [I could not believe that there was no other person of authority whom I could speak to, in the line of responsibility between the General Manager of Land Rover, and the person on the desk at Customer Help] When I told this to TMS-Lincoln, I was told that they would intervene for me to try and speed-up the process. Within the hour TMS rang to say that it had all been sorted out with Land Rover, that they indeed would pay the cost of the repair, and furthermore our Freelander would be delivered to our door that evening! And the moral of this story? ... well, there are still good people out there with a kind heart to help others in distress, and my wife & I do indeed thank TMS-Lincoln for all that good will. Land Rover? ... well, in the wider view of things, we had a small falling-out, which was very painful while it lasted, but in the end they did honour their word and pay the full amount for the repair ... and we do thank them for that. And present Freelander owners: if you should hear that screeching sound & see any steam coming from the bonnet ... please stop as soon as you safely can ... that head gasket could very well be the culprit!!
Paul/29 Oct 2003
Owned for 3 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
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I have had my 1.8 Freelander for just under a year. It has just done 32000 and is 3 years old - needless to say the head gasket has gone (for no apparent reason they tell me) and the repairs will only be guaranteed for 1 month. I would not have another - give me back my reliable old and aged diesel discovery!!!
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
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I am just about to take delivery of my second Freelander after owning a S-reg 1.8 5-door since new. This is our 14th car to date and although we have had some problems with the Freelander (including the famous head gasket at 73,000m) it compares favourably with the Fords, Rovers, Fiats, BMWs, Hondas, etc, etc, all of which have had irritating faults. I have considered carefully the replacement and nothing else matches the combination of on-road manners and off-road capability, plus excellent towing ability. In addition I have always had excellent service from my dealers in Oxford and Yeovil, which is more than I can say for Fiat, BMW and Rover. My Freelander has had a hard life with high mileages, working on our farm (I seldom take my series III (bought to do the rough stuff) out of the shed and hauling heavy loads of livestock. Don't tell me about Jap reliability my Kawasaki needs a new clutch assembly after 530m. My Fiesta needs a new ngine and gearbox after 71000m. My Case tractor blew up a month ago. My brand new spray unit (from NZ) had internal parts missing!(hence mysterious unrepearable fault). So you got machines you got problems, sometimes worse, sometimes better, chill out guys you'll live longer.
Owned for more than 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
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1999 Freelander 1800 5 door purchsed new from Forsdicks Landrover Cape Town. After 20000 kms all four tyres had to be replaced due to excess wear on the outer rims (feathering). After 40000kms to vehicle was recalled for modifications to the differential which would stop the tyre wear. After another 20000 kms the same 'feathering' on all four tyres. The agents only replaced two tyres after much haggling on my part. I am just about to place my fourth set of tyres (102000 kms)
Water Pump packed up at 60000 kms (whilst in the middle of the bush).
Sun roof mechamism has been replaced three times.
Two months out of warranty the cyclinder head gasket packed up. R10000 poorer after having repairs done.
Try to sell a 98 or 99 model Freelander on the open market and you will discover that its reputation had preceeded it. Nobody wants them !
Owned for more than 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
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Just 24 days out of waranty and with only 32000 miles on the clock our Sept 2000 1.8 Freelander head gasket blows with a new engine required we are being quoted 3-4K for a new engine.LR: watch this space itr it seems that watchdog need to here about this!
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed September 2003.
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We've owned our second 1.8 petrol Freelander for just over 18 months now, in that time it has had binding brakes, clunking steering, grating shocks, an inverted fuel guage, spontanous rear window opening and last weekend the head gasket blew (at 7,000, yes 7,000 miles) just as I exited the M23. Our first Freelander spent so much time in the garage during the three years that we owned it, that we never actually had to clean it ourselves! The only reason we bought another one was because we were assured by the dealership that Landrover had resolved all previous problems - yes our boot filled up with water too. The dealers solution to the recent head gasket problem, "oh we're replacing the engine for your peace of mind". What a joke, they're replacing the engine because we copied our letter of complaint to Watchdog! I'll have peace of mind when we no longer own such a turkey of a car!
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed September 2003.
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Help! I have been looking about to buy a 2.0 litre td freelander - was quite excited until now. Is the 2.0l td engine that bad???? Has anyone got any super recommendations on any other 4x4's - preferably 3 door.
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Never owned
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Reviewed September 2003.
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seems to me that all 2000+ models are fine especially the brilliant TD4, landrover are scrapping the 1.8 engine in the freelander I beleive....
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Never owned
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed September 2003.
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DON'T, REPEAT DON'T,BUY ONE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed August 2003.
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TD4 the performance on and off road is superb.Average 37 mpg.Extremely comfortable and quiet.Tows caravan superbly. Rear screen drops----excellent for dog owners/carrying things. Best vehicle have ever owned.
Anybody that comes on this site and doesn't have anything bad to say about their Freelander, should just wait, because it's only a matter of time.
We bought a 1.8S brand new and have had endless problems with it, electric windows, dissappearing rear window, window motors, new engine after 14K miles, sticking rear window and not being able to lock the car, lies from the dealers, poor service, car scratched when doing a repair in their garage, didn't tell us about it, no parts, having to keep taking it back because they don't know what the problems are and the spares they said were in, were out!!, the story goes on and on, seven page letter to Land Rover head office, absolutely no joy what so ever. Land Rover service history, not worth the paper it's printed on because the work is probably carried out by a YTS monkey on £3.50 an hour. I would rather pay an experienced mechanic who knows what he is looking at. Salesmen are slick and smooth talking, after sales service is SH$T. You will be pleased to know that the poor service you get is not because you have bought a Freelander, and perhaps feel that the Discovery or Range Rover owners get treated a great deal better, they don't, the service is the same RUBBISH. Broadfields of Bishop Stortford is where all this has taken place. Anyone recognise the same service ?
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed July 2003.
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I love my Freelander, but hate its reliability. It is on an S plate and currently on its third new engine. It has been regularly serviced by a LandRover dealer and I have put no end of money into the car. It has been treated for corrosion on the back end which had been causing a flooding in the boot for several months before they found the leak. However there is not a vehicle around to match what i get with my removable hard back (with a shower cover which fits on in a matter of 2 mintues) and its 4 wheel drive with towing, carrying and fun capability. Land Rover have let me down badly on its reliability though.
Owned for 4 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed May 2003.
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I bought an S reg freelander with 55,000 miles on the clock it's a fantastic car it starts everytime and has never let me down I purchased it from hunters in southampton and I have to say there servie is fantastic. As for the head gasket problems others had had I'd not even heard it was a problem until seeing this site I LOVE MY FREELANDER IT'S THE BEST CAR I'VE EVER HAD.
Owned for 6 months.
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Reviewed May 2003.
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Well hang on to you hats people I purchased a new V6 in May 2002 after some intitial problems with the petrol guage that resulted in a new petrol tank and instrument panel at 500 miles all seemed well until 1st service at 11200 miles and year one service resulting in an, air bag, entire system replacement, new seal for drive shaft, new brakes on font including disks - oh and an exchange engine replacement, yep I said engine replacement. but according to Land Rover thats OK it was done under warrenty. £25k flushed down the toilet and forced to drive a pile of cr*p from here on in.
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Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed April 2003.
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I have a 1.8 s freelander its drinks oil like theres no tomorrow but apparently I should expect it to get through 1.5 litres per 1,000 miles ...so LR youre telling me a vehicle advertised on location in the outback and presenting an image of rugged reliabilty has an oil tanker following it everwhere to avoid running out of oil on its tours!!! Im so unhappy with the car.. Chipperfield garage in Herts have just fobbed me off time and time again as as for cutomer services well shame on you!! any one else got an oil thirsty one like mine???
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed April 2003.
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Bought my TD4 new in May 2001. It is quite fantastic, an excellent car, the best I've ever had. I can well understand people who have problems looking for every opportunity to write to sites like this, but I suppose those who don't have any problems are less inclined to do so, maybe creating an unbalanced view on what to me is a superb car.
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed April 2003.
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I bought a 2002 Freelander in October 2002. I loved it until yesterday when it completely shut down after the engine light, traction control light and incline light all came on at once. The car shut down stranding my two-year-old and I on the highway. LandRover Road Side Service was responsive, but this car only has 7,750 miles on it! What is next?
I'm trading it in.
Disappointed in Chicago
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed March 2003.
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Cold Canadian climate conditions FORGET THE FREELANDER. Unstable Poor handling in snow Starting problems in extreme cold Poor heater Core plugs will break leaking all the oil. the list goes on.
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2003.
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I have had my Freelander now for 6 months and it has only done 34000 miles and yes you've guessed it the head gasket has gone! The head gasket failure has led to me requiring a new engine (£3,400.00) i am led to believe that there is a problem with the early design of head gasket can any one give me any any supporting evidence of this ? as i am persuing Land rover for the costs
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2003.
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I have had a 3-door T reg Freelander for 1 year now. It started losing a lot of water and I took it in to have it repaired. The problem was a leaking cylinder head gasket. This and the cylinder head to be replaced. This was done without fuss under the extended warranty. Prior to the repair, the car kept going, despite the problems, which would have caused many a car to come to a grinding halt requiring a new engine (as a previous experience in a similar position with a Ford proved). The Freelander is an amazing car. The ride, comfort and off road ability make this one of the most complete and versatile cars on the road today. I am sorry so many people have had so many problems, however it does seem that had the respective dealers handled their problems better, they would perhaps feel a bit different. To any dealers reading this, please remember that your bad handling of genuine problems gives Land Rover and yourselves a bad name, which is very unfair to the magnificent vehicles they produce.
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