2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER Exterior Lighting Problems

THE BRAKE LIGHTS SOMETIMES WORK AND SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK (CITED IN 2 INCIDENTS BY THE POLICE). ALL PARTS ARE FINE (BY CHECK-UP OF A REPAIR WORKSHOP), AND NO REPAIR CAN BE POSSIBLY DONE. PROBABLY, THE HEIGHT OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ABOVE THE GROUND IS TOO LOW, SO THAT IT IS SOMETIMES TOO DAMP OR WET (AFTER SNOW OR RAIN) FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THEY DRY UP, THEY WORK AGAIN. NEXT, THE 2 BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON THE 2 CORNERS OF THE BUMPER, AND THE CENTRAL BRAKE LIGHT IS HIGH ON THE TAILGATE. THEORETICALLY, THE 3 BRAKE LIGHTS GIVE WARNING ENOUGH WHEN THE CAR STOPS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE 2 TAIL LIGHTS ARE HIGH ON THE FENDERS (THE 2 SIDES OF THE CAR'S TAILGATE), RELATIVELY FAR AWAY FROM THE 2 BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE BUMPER. THE 2 TAIL LIGHTS GIVE A WRONG IMPRESSION TO ANY DRIVERS BEHIND THIS CAR, AND LET THOSE DRIVERS MISUNDERSTAND THE TAIL LIGHTS TO BE THE BRAKE LIGHTS (EVEN THE 2 POLICE OFFICERS MISUNDERSTOOD IN THE 2 INCIDENTS). THIS WILL CAUSE COLLISION IN REALITY. *TR

Mileage: 120,090

ENGINE ISSUES. REPLACED VACUUM HOSE TO 6TH CYLINDER. ALSO, THE TIMING BELT IS MAKING NOISE AND THE MECHANIC HAS ADVISED I WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 68,850 MILES. ALSO, HAVE REPAIRED THE BRAKES ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND THEY STILL SQUEAK. HAD TO REPAIR THE WINDOW REGULATOR. THE SRS LIGHT AND ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT IS ON. *TR

THE ENGINE/HEAD GASKET ISSUE IS THE REPAIR THAT IS THE MOST CRITICAL AND TERMINAL CONDITION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERS MECHANICS WILL NEVER FIX THE GASKET, SO THEY WILL ONLY OFFER THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, BUT EITHER REPAIR WILL COST YOU MORE THAN THE SUV IS WORTH. AND YES, THE BRAKE PADS AND THEN ROTORS WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY, BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE (THE DEALER SAYS). I PERSONALLY THINK IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE 2 DISC FRONT BRAKES AND 2 DRUM REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE, HENCE THE WEAR AND WEIGHT ALL GOES TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER POOR DESIGN FLAW ISSUE, AND I WAS TOLD THE DRUM BRAKES WERE THERE TO BETTER ALLOW THE OFF-ROADING. YEAH, WHO EVER COULD OFF ROAD THESE THINGS, THEY FALL APART ON THE DRIVEWAY! *TR

Mileage: 45,000

WATER PUMP FAILED, TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT, GAS PUMP FAILED TOOK IT TO SHOP TO REPLACE IT, GAS TANK LID FAILED, BOTH ONE FROM DEALER TO REPLACE IT, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY REFUSE TO FIX, THEY SAY IS NOT THEIR FAULT AND IS NOT COVER BY WARRANTY ANYMORE, WINDOW MOTOR FAILED, WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH FAILED, HEADLIGHTS FAILED, COOLANT CONTAINER CRACK, REPLACED WITH NEW ONE FROM DEALER. STOP LIGHT RECALLED. AIR FILTERING SYSTEM RETAINS WATER WHICH ALLOWS MOLD TO GROW, AIR FILTERS REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

WATER PUMP FAILED, TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT, GAS PUMP FAILED TOOK IT TO SHOP TO REPLACE IT, GAS TANK LID FAILED, BOTH ONE FROM DEALER TO REPLACE IT, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY REFUSE TO FIX, THEY SAY IS NOT THEIR FAULT AND IS NOT COVER BY WARRANTY ANYMORE, WINDOW MOTOR FAILED, WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH FAILED, HEADLIGHTS FAILED, COOLANT CONTAINER CRACK, REPLACED WITH NEW ONE FROM DEALER. STOP LIGHT RECALLED. AIR FILTERING SYSTEM RETAINS WATER WHICH ALLOWS MOLD TO GROW, AIR FILTERS REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

LAND ROVER FREELANDER HSE 2002: AT 70,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION HALTS, SEIZING, RAPID RPM JUMPS; LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DIED. INOPERABLE CAR TOWED AND TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT PRIVATE SHOP. FIVE MILES FROM SHOP AFTER PICKUP, CAR SEIZED AND DIED. NOW, AN ADDITIONAL REPAIR OF THE "TRANSFER CASE," WHICH WE WERE TOLD CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NOW, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON; BATTERY KEEPS DYING. RAPID DEPRECIATION, FREQUENT REPAIRS OF BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, HEADLIGHTS, ETC. COMPLAINED TO MANUFACTURER 2/23/2007. CAR INOPERABLE AS OF THIS DATE. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO -- OWE MORE THAN IT'S WORTH, CANNOT GET FULL NADA/KBB TRADE IN VALUE...FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED. AND OUT OF MONEY. *JB

Mileage: 76,000

LAND ROVER FREELANDER HSE 2002: AT 70,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION HALTS, SEIZING, RAPID RPM JUMPS; LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DIED. INOPERABLE CAR TOWED AND TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT PRIVATE SHOP. FIVE MILES FROM SHOP AFTER PICKUP, CAR SEIZED AND DIED. NOW, AN ADDITIONAL REPAIR OF THE "TRANSFER CASE," WHICH WE WERE TOLD CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NOW, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON; BATTERY KEEPS DYING. RAPID DEPRECIATION, FREQUENT REPAIRS OF BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, HEADLIGHTS, ETC. COMPLAINED TO MANUFACTURER 2/23/2007. CAR INOPERABLE AS OF THIS DATE. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO -- OWE MORE THAN IT'S WORTH, CANNOT GET FULL NADA/KBB TRADE IN VALUE...FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED. AND OUT OF MONEY. *JB

Mileage: 76,000

LAND ROVER, FREELANDER HSE 2002. ENGINE VALVE LEAK, 5TH CYLINDER NOT FIRING, CATALYTIC SENSOR WENT BAD, PRESSURE VALVE LEAKAGE. THE CAR STOOPED ALL OF A SUDDEN. JUST CROSSED THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, BY 700 MILES. *NM

Mileage: 50,654

BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE. CHECKED FUSE, BULBS AND WIRING. ALL WERE OPERATIVE. HAD BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACED. LIGHTS STILL NOT OPERATIONAL. (NEW STOP LAMP SWITCH WAS THE SAME MANUFACTURER AS THE ONE THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER NHTSA INVESTIGATION.) SINCE NEW PART DIDN'T WORK, OLD PART WAS REINSTALLED AND NEW ONE RETURNED TO DEALER. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE 300.00 JUST TO TELL ME WHY BRAKES WON'T WORK AND IS AWARE OF WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN TRIED. BRAKE LIGHTS STILL NOT OPERATIONAL. *JB

BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE. CHECKED FUSE, BULBS AND WIRING. ALL WERE OPERATIVE. HAD BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACED. LIGHTS STILL NOT OPERATIONAL. (NEW STOP LAMP SWITCH WAS THE SAME MANUFACTURER AS THE ONE THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER NHTSA INVESTIGATION.) SINCE NEW PART DIDN'T WORK, OLD PART WAS REINSTALLED AND NEW ONE RETURNED TO DEALER. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE 300.00 JUST TO TELL ME WHY BRAKES WON'T WORK AND IS AWARE OF WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN TRIED. BRAKE LIGHTS STILL NOT OPERATIONAL. *JB

I STRONGLY URGE THE MODIFICATION OF THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL CONFIGURATION ON CURRENT FREELANDERS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE PLACEMENT OF THESE CRUCIAL SIGNALS IS LOCATED IN AN UNEXPECTED AND LESS VISIBLE LOCATION TO OTHER DRIVERS . I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION (AND HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS) ON THE HIGHWAY LIKELY BECAUSE THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME DO NOT NOTICE MY BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD EASILY BE MOVED TO THE CURRENT FOG LIGHT LOCATION AND THE TURN SIGNALS COULD BE MOVED TO WHERE THE REVERSE LIGHTS ARE NOW LOCATED - THIS WOULD PROVIDE A COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TT

BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS AND REAR TURN SIGNALS ARE LOCATED FAR LOW DOWN INTO THE REAR BUMPER; DIFFICULT FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE; COULD EASILY CAUSE REAREND COLLISIION.

BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS AND REAR TURN SIGNALS ARE LOCATED FAR LOW DOWN INTO THE REAR BUMPER; DIFFICULT FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE; COULD EASILY CAUSE REAREND COLLISIION.

I FEEL THE DESIGN OF THE TAIL LIGHTS HAS CAUSED MANY CLOSE-CALL NEAR ACCIDENTS WITH MY FREELANDER. THE DESIGN IS COUNTER-INTUITIVE FOR THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME, WHO EXPECT THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON THE CORNERS OF THE VEHICLE TO ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKING. THE BRAKE LAMPS ARE IN THE BUMPER, HOWEVER- WHICH DOESN'T SEEM INTUITIVE OR SOMETIMES AREN'T VISIBLE TO A CLOSE-FOLLOWING VEHICLE. WHEN NOT ILLUMINATED, IT'S DIFFICULT TO EVEN SEE THE BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES EXIST, YET THE CORNER MOUNTED ASSEMBLIES ARE AT EYE LEVEL- BUT THEY HAVE NO BLINKERS OR BRAKE LAMPS. SOME PEOPLE HAVE STARTED MODIFYING THEIR OWN BRAKE LAMPS IN RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE! I'D RATHER HAVE THEM CHANGED LEGALLY THAN MODIFY MY VEHICLE WITHOUT DOT/NHTSA APPROVAL.

Mileage: 1,000

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE DESIGNED VERY POORLY. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER TWICE FOR FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS. I HAVE ALSO ALMOST BEEN REARENDED. DUE TO THE SET UP OF THESE LIGHTS. THIS IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE AND I WILL NOT LET MY PREGNANT WIFE AND KIDS RIDE IN IT. DT

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER (WHICH WE JUST PURCHASED) ARE EXTREMELY MISLEADING TO ANYONE TRAVELING BEHIND THE VEHICLE ARE BOUND TO BE THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS, IF THEY HAVENT BEEN ALREADY. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE LIGHT CLUSTERS ON EACH SIDE OF THE TAILGATE (AS THERE ARE ON EVERY VEHICLE IN THE US), THEY DO NOT LIGHT UP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. INSTEAD, THE THIN, RECTANGULAR LIGHTS IN THE BUMPER LIGHT UP. WE WERENT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL MY WIFE WAS PULLED OVER BY A CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE OFFICER FOR FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS. THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR THEN SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AGREED IT WAS CONFUSING, BUT WERE "POWERLESS" TO FIX IT BECAUSE LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA SAYS IT MEETS ALL NHTSA REGULATIONS. ALTHOUGH THE LIGHTS MAYBE WITHIN THE 15-72 INCH FROM THE ROAD RANGE, THE PLACEMENT OF THEM IS DECEIVING. IVE YET TO SEE ANY OTHER VEHICLE IN THE US WITH BRAKE LIGHTS ONLY IN THE REAR BUMPER. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED UNTIL SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENS BECAUSE OF IT. EVERYDAY THIS ISN'T FIXED IS A DAY WE HAVE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH DECEIVING BRAKE LIGHTS, PUTTING OUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF THOSE BEHIND US AT RISK. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH WED RATHER NOT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS.*AK