Recalls: Land Rover L314 Freelander
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Land Rover L314 Freelander
- In January 1999, a recall was issued for Land Rover L314 Freelander vehicles due to a weld in the rear suspension which could fracture and impair the stability of the rear hub assembly – this could result in the vehicle deviating from a straight line under normal driving condition (PRA 1999/3765).
- In August 2000, a recall was issued for Land Rover L314 Freelander vehicles manufactured prior to July 2000 as the child restraint anchor fittings may have been incorrectly installed (PRA 2000/4427).
- In October 2001, a recall was issued because the handbrake lever could self-release after its application such that the vehicle may roll away (PRA 2001/5037).
- In October 2001, a recall was issued for three-door Land Rover L314 Freelander vehicles. In these vehicles, the seat tip lever could be prevented from returning to its latched position by the escutcheon as the escutcheon slot was reduced in size due to a fault in the side pressure of the seat squab frame. If the seat back did not latch, it could subsequently move forward unexpectedly (PRA 2001/5038).
- In October 2001, a recall was issued for Land Rover L314 Freelander vehicles because the routing of the engine harness – below the underbonnet fuse box – could contact the damper turret. As a result, the harness could chafe and, if the insulation was breached, a subsequent short circuit may affect the operation of various electrical functions (PRA 2001/5039).
- In September 2004, a recall was issued for 2003 model year Land Rover L314 Freelander vehicles in the VIN range LNA BE13A 286419 to LNA BG23A 289164. In these vehicles, the rear subframe fixing was to be inspected to ensure that it was correctly fitted and clamped (PRA 2004/7207).
- In July 2005, a recall was issued for 2001 to 2006 model year Land Rover L314 Freelander vehicles. In certain conditions, the left hand rear door lock in these vehicles could be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child lock was engaged (PRA 2005/7887). This recall was re-issued in September 2005 (PRA 2005/8055).
Problems and faults: Land Rover L314 Freelander
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Problems and faults: Land Rover L314 Freelander
- There is a high incidence of head gasket failures for the 1.8- and 2.5-litre Rover K-Series engines in the Land Rover L314 Freelander – these have been attributed to varying build tolerances, insufficient block face stiffness, poor casting quality and deficiencies with the cooling system.
- The lubricant within the Intermediate Reduction Drive (IRD) is passed through a heat exchanger connected to the engine cooling system. The heat exchanger, however, is fed by relatively small bore coolant piping and is located lower and further back than the rest of the cooling system. If the engine coolant is drained, air locks can develop in the heat exchanger, causing the engine and transmission to overheat – this can cause head gasket failure. To avoid this problem, it is vital that the bleed points for the heat exchanger are used when the coolant is drained.
- The 2.0-litre Rover turbo-diesel engine is susceptible to breaking its timing belts – prior to their scheduled replacement – and causing serious engine damage.
- For the 2.0-litre BMW turbo-diesel engine, there have been reports of blown turbochargers.
- As part of the Freelander’s all-wheel drive system, the front wheels are driven faster than the rear wheels and a viscous coupling – which is constantly slipping – is fitted ahead of the rear propshaft. On early models, the difference in front and rear wheel speeds put the viscous coupling under stress and, in some cases, caused it to seize – initially, this would a torque to be applied across the transmission (‘wind up’) and result in ‘saw tooth’ rear tyre wear. This situation, however, would also put increased load on the IRD and rear differential, causing rapid wear to both and subsequent failure.
- On pre-2004 Land Rover L314 Freelander vehicles, the rear cross member was susceptible to damage from off-road use and separation from the rear suspension.
- If the vehicle pulls to one side when driving in a straight line, the rack-and-pinion steering assembly may require replacement.
- Corrosion between the alloy wheel and the wheel hub can make the wheels difficult to remove. To avoid this problem, it is recommended that anti-seize compound is applied whenever a wheel is removed.
