Faults:

Head Gasket blew at 74000 miles, new engine fitted under warranty.

General Comments:

I use this car, primarily, for motorway work travelling long distances at high speed. I've also completed a number of trips into Europe.

The handling is good and predictable for a vehicle in it's class.

The engine has plenty of torque, but feels underpowered when accelerating.

It's comfortable, a bit noisy over 70 (road noise mainly) but it's fitted with a good radio...

Faults:

When driving long distance (430 miles), the rear of the car went into flames. On stopping on motorway in an emergency, the fire was put out and emergency services were called out. The description of the fault was that the exhaust had blown and instead of dragging on the ground, it had lifted up into the car and had melted rear lights, bumper and part of the electrics. The car failed all electrics tests and the damage was in excess of UK sterling #4,800. This was fixed in 5 days.

The car started leaking oil from the front drivers wheel arch and went through 6 litres of oil in 25 minutes. This was due to the oil filter fusing with other wires which had been rubbing for approximately 1 year unnoticed on any services or tests.

General Comments:

More attention should be paid to the workings of the vehicle rather than style and off road capability.

Services should be more thorough (not even the water bottle was refilled on the last service).

Faults:

Excessive, uneven tyre wear after 18 months and 16,000 miles was due to all four wheels being out of alignment. The dealer, in theory, fixed this problem. However at the time of the vehicles annual service, which took place two months later, the wheels were found to be profoundly out of alignment.

The local dealer did not accept this.

The steering became heavy after two years. Fluid loss was to blame for this.

I am currently in contact with the UK Head Office regarding more new rear tyres for the car. Excessive, uneven wear has re-occurred. There is a known problem at Land Rover regarding this and the head office sent a letter to all dealers that they should provide new tyres to all people suffering with this problem. The only solution to fix the problem is to "buy a new car".

General Comments:

I enjoy driving the car and find it very comfortable.

It's a shame the enjoyment is ruined by vibrating, unevenly worn tyres.

Faults:

Steering rack failed.

Propshaft bearings failed (twice)

Leaking sunroof.

Leaking rear-door seal flooding boot.

Interior lights failed (twice)

Front doors drooped scratching paint on the wings.

Air vent broke.

Air-con broken.

Premature tyre wear.

Central locking only works when it feels like it.

Radio code `re-sets` itself.

Immobaliser `fails` occasionally.

Rear centre seat-belt replaced twice.

Continual problems with the brakes.. noisy under braking and jamming on after overnight parking.

Manifold cover came loose (twice)

Rattle from the left hand side of cabin.. unsolved mystery.

General Comments:

Nice when it works; looks good.

Build quality abysmal.

LR HQ not interested.`Tough!` is their attitude. Not our problem.. speak to your dealer.

Dealer sympathetic but limited in their ability to `help`.

Not nearly as good as the Discovery off-road.. no surprises there, then.

My other car is a TDi Disco and has been great.. just about to buy a TD5.

I would not accept a Freelander if I won it in a competition.. too much hassle.

Caveat emptor.