2005 Land Rover Freelander recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. HILL DESCENT CONTROL (HDC), TRACTION CONTROL (TC) AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS MAY ALSO BE ILLUMINATED.
What could happen: FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP OPERATION AND WHERE REQUIRED, ADJUST AND/OR REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES WITH NEW SWITCHES OF THE SAME DESIGN UNTIL A NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LAMP SWITCH IS AVAILABLE IN MAY 2007. OWNERS WILL THEN BE RE-NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AN INTERI…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 FREELANDER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Land Rover dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V041000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. HILL DESCENT CONTROL (HDC), TRACTION CONTROL (TC) AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS MAY ALSO BE ILLUMINATED.
Consequence: FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP OPERATION AND WHERE REQUIRED, ADJUST AND/OR REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES WITH NEW SWITCHES OF THE SAME DESIGN UNTIL A NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LAMP SWITCH IS AVAILABLE IN MAY 2007. OWNERS WILL THEN BE RE-NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AN INTERIM LETTER FOR THE INITIAL INSPECTION WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2007. THE SECOND LETTER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCHES WAS MAILED BEGINNING JULY 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-80-637-6837.
Notes: LAND ROVER RECALL NO. P004. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.
What could happen: THE OCCUPANT MAY OPEN THE DOOR INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 FREELANDER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Land Rover dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V300000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-637-6837.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: ON CERTAIN FIVE DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LEVER IS IN THE "ON" POSITION.
Consequence: THE OCCUPANT MAY OPEN THE DOOR INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
Notes: LAND ROVER RECALL NO. B011. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
3. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DEFLECTOR PANEL CONTAINED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BUILT TO SPECIFICATION.
What could happen: DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAG MAY OCCUR THAT COULD ALLOW THE RELEASE OF A FRAGMENT OF THE DEFLECTOR PANEL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, INJURING THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The fix: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES IN ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 FREELANDER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Land Rover dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V510000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS
Summary: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DEFLECTOR PANEL CONTAINED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BUILT TO SPECIFICATION.
Consequence: DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAG MAY OCCUR THAT COULD ALLOW THE RELEASE OF A FRAGMENT OF THE DEFLECTOR PANEL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, INJURING THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES IN ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Notes: LAND ROVER RECALL NO. B186. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2005 Land Rover Freelander owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (11), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Unknown Or Other (3), Electrical system (2), Vehicle Speed Control (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/21/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
HARD SHIFT 1ST AND 2ND GEARS AND MAJOR POWER LOSS CANNOT EXCEED 35MPH DUDLEY WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY IT WOULDN'T EXCEL
03/20/2019 · Unknown Or Other
WE BOUGHT A VEHICLE FROM JUSTIN HARRIS. THE AD ON CRAIGSLIST LIST DIDNT MENTION ANYTHING ABT THE ENGINE IT ONLY SAID IT NEEDED A BATTERY & THE KEY PROGRAMMED. COME TO FIND OUT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY SEIZED. HE HAS OUR MONEY & THE CAR. HE REFUSES TO RETURN ANY CALLS OR TEXT MESSAGES.
03/30/2015 · Electrical system
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2011 FROM A COUNTY AUCTION. I'VE SPENT ALMOST $8,000 ON ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE I'VE BOUGHT IT. HAD A NEW TIMING BELT, SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS INSTALLED ON 02/02/2015, BUT NOW MY CAR STALLS AND I HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY PICKING UP SPEED, EVEN WHEN DRIVING ON THE STREET. IF I STOP AT A STOP SIGN, I LITERALLY HAVE TO PUSH…
12/02/2013 · Lights
MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON TOOK MY CAR TO THE LANDROVER DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WHERE NOT GOING TO CHECK MY CAR I EXPLAINED THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON BRAKE LIGHTS AND TOM WAS VERY NASTY TELLING IT WAS NOT FOR MY CAR BUT. I HAVE READ THE RECALL AND I TRIED TO GET HIM TOO LOOK IT UP AND HE JUST REFUSE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 150 TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK. I T…
01/05/2013 · Electrical system
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DURING HURRICANE SANDY AND THE CAR SHIFTS (OR LAGS) INTO EXTREMELY LOW GEAR, MAYBE 5-10 MPH. THE SERVICE ENGINE, SERVICE ENGINE SOON, AND OTHER LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS LURCHING. ONCE I ABLE MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I AM ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, WAIT LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AND TURN BACK ON, STILL DOING SAME TH…
11/23/2011 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
09/20/2011 · Transmission / drivetrain
I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR SHIFTS INTO EXTREMELY LOW GEAR (MAYBE 5 MPH), F4 FLASHES, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE, HILL DESCENT CONTROL, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT UP. ONCE I CAN MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I CAN TURN OFF THE CAR, WAIT LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTS WITHOUT ANY OF THE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD ABOUT 42,000 MILES WHEN THE…
06/24/2011 · Engine
ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ONLY WITHIN ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF PURCHASING VEHICLE, APPROXIMATE 5,000 MILES LATER THE ENGINE BEGINS TO FAULT AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE BECAUSE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO MY ENGINE OR ONE OF MY HEAD GASKETS BLEW AGAIN, NOT TO MENTION THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN AND I NEEDED A NEW O-RING ALREADY. *TR