2002 Land Rover Defender recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
Recalls: check by VIN
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (3), Transmission / drivetrain (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
11/02/2007 · Engine
I OWN A 2002 FREELANDER WHICH LEAKED COOLANT AND OVERHEATED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD GASKET. NOW I HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TR
09/25/2007 · Engine
THE ENGINE IN MY 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER OVERHEATED AT ABOUT 65K MILES AND MADE IT THE 10 MILES OR SO TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER ONLY BECAUSE I KEPT STOPPING, REMOVING THE COOLANT TANK CAP, AND REPLACING THE FLUID EVERY FEW MILES. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED - AT MY EXPENSE, TO THE TUNE OF NEARLY $8K.…
06/17/2006 · Engine
IN NOV. 2005 MY 2002 FREELANDER RAN HOT. WHILE CHECKING UNDER HOOD I NOTICED THE WATER RESERVOIR BOTTLE WAS EMPTY. I NOTIFIED HILTON HEAD LAND ROVER AND CARRIED THE VEHICLE TO THE THEM. THEY CHANGED THE RESERVOIR BOTTLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT MONTH THE VEHICLE RAN HOT AGAIN AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND TWO WEEKS LATER IT RAN HOT AGAI…