1999 Land Rover Freelander 5 door review from South Africa

Total loss of power fault - fixed on the 3rd attempt, after one dealer told me "just take your foot off the accelerator when it does this"!

Air-conditioner did not work from day one. Still was not fixed when I sold the vehicle in February 2000 - after taking it to 4 different Land Rover dealers.

One fuse kept on blowing continuously.

Hill Descent Control stopped working.

Motor on rear and front electric windows jammed open a few times.

Sunroof rattled.

Left front inside wheel arch kept falling off.

Power steering made a high-pitched screeching noise. New hydraulic pipes were on order when I sold the vehicle.

Tyres were wearing down very fast. The manual states that the pressure should be 2.1 bars. A service bulletin was sent to all dealers stating that the tyres should be inflated at 1.8 bars and not 2.1! No one contacts existing customers to tell them.

The quality of the Freelander leaves much to be desired but what is most disgusting is the attitude of Land Rover. My letters and phone calls went unanswered, the staff lied to me, the quality of diesel was blamed, my letter to Land Rover UK was answered after 5 weeks and was simply referred to the customer service department of Land Rover SA, and it would seem the technical staff are incompetent as faults were seldom fixed on the first attempt. The marketing director would simply delegate my problems right down the line & they would end up back where they started - with the uncaring dealer.

I wanted the dealer principal to take the Freelander back and cancel the deal but instead he tells me: "I am a business man and have to look after my interests"! It would seem that Land Rover are focused on short-term sales instead of long-term brand loyalty.