The first 50,000km went fairly smoothly, although tyre wear was very uneven and caused unbearable noise in the cabin.
Oil leaks from all over were the first sign that something was wrong at about 60,000km. The dealer said we will keep an eye on it is repairs would be thousands of dollars. This was the prophecy of things to come.
THe air conditioner has always blown hot air.
THe heater leaked out its fluid and lasted only one mild winter. THey want $1,800 to fix it as it takes a day to remove the dash and a few minutes to fix, then another day to put it back in.
THen they willl only guarantee it for 12 months!!i.e. Perhaps it would all happen again next year and so on.
CD player has jammed so many times that it is now disconnected.
The stater motor stopped after about 70,000km. Landrover were going to charge $800 for a new one, but it was repaired for a little over $100 by an auto electrician.
Then the real trouble began!!
Blowing a head gasket at 140,000 km is not what I would expect of a Landrover. After spending $2,800 on a motor rebuild, which they said was necessary due to the car overheating. I picked the vehicle up in the morning and drove it less thawn one hundred Km before losing all of the oil and over heating a second time. Another $1,800 later and Landrover again blame me, the cautious driver, whilst ducking for cover over any liability, even for the second incident. Even now the car is running hot whilst my bank balance runs cold and hence totally diminishes any fuel efficiency that may be about the only selling feature.
But more. I wanted to rid myself of this wasteful burden and sought a trade-in...even on a new one. THis was the real shock. Trade in value. After paying over $40,000 three years ago, they are offering $10,000!! THis to me is bordering on scandalous trading by Landrover, who say that that is just market conditions. Well, my brother bought a $32,000 Subaru Forrester 4 years ago and has just received $24,000 trade -in on a new one!! Therefore by comparison, the Freelander has cost an extra $22,000 plus in that time!! Now, that is not cheap " running cost".
The car is now exhibiting all kinds of other noises. I can't afford to sell it and lose that ludicrous amount of money. And I fear that the ongoing repairs will break the bank.
And Landrover will continue to deny that they are selling sub-standard merchandise.
At first I loved my Land rover due to appearance and handle. But that quickly wained.
After all of the repairs, the car is seriously sluggish, over heating, still without a heater, poor air conditioner and not reliable.
THe situation regarding the poor trade in value means you want to have money to burn before you consider one of these. Because once you've got it, Landrover do not want to know about any liability.
Welcome to the club!
I also have a Freelander 1999 1.8 petrol.
And have had nothing, but hassles since the fateful day I bought it. with 100 0000 KM on the clock.
At 105 000 KM the traction control and hill decent fault lights started coming on when I made left turns faster than 60 KM/H.
They replaced everything from the fuel pump to the air filters over a 3 month period.. and to this day that fault still happens..
Just recently I took the car in for 120 000 KM Service.. set me back R3500.. 2 days later the car is overheating.. I drive to the nearest gas station and (about 200 meters away) and flush the cooling system..deliver it to Landrover the next day not having driven it further then my house 20 KM from said gas station.. they charge me R730 to replace the cap on the cooling system..
The same day I get the car back it overheats again.. take it back to Landrover to inform me my gasket is blown and it will cost me R8k to get it fixed.. but the car never overheated before the service..
I am refusing to pay for this.
Virtually every Freelander problem I read about as happened to my 1998 Petrol 5door.
Small loss of water led to £1000 head gasket and overhaul. Car still loses water in the same way. Complained and got abuse from dealer, they then agreed to look at it and ten days later two valve followers jammed. Another £200.
Sunroof slider snapped £100. Other side went the same way £100 again.
Tyre noise very bad with original Goodyears. Swapping front back no use at all. Fitted brand new Michelin (Synchrones) on advice from dealer. Tyre noise now absolutely unbearable at 30, 40 50 and 75 mph. I have to drive while trying to avoid these speeds!
Last week the rear door lock started operating and the rear window twitching up and down while driving along. Eventually the door opened completely on a roundabout in traffic. I disconnected the lock motor and took out the fuse to the window, but have to tie the door shut with rope for security.
Clutch judders badly when pulling away, but only intermittently. Dealer unable to find fault (or even acknowledge there is one).
The list goes on and on and on. But the sad fact is that I simply can't afford to change it because my business isn't doing well and the Freelander has virtually no resale value in the state it's in.
Bought new from main dealer and never missed a service.
Does anyone have any good news to cheer me up?
*sigh* Are they all really this bad? I was looking at buying one soon as I quite like the look of them... But after reading all the reviews on this site I'm having second thoughts.
Ron.
I don't know where you guys found all these duds. I think the Freelander is perfect. Mine has 180 000 k's on the clock and running like a dream. I suppose that people that are happy don't speak out. I will always buy Land Rover in future.
Anybody agree with me?
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