2003 Land Rover Freelander Consumer Reviews

Bought a 2004 USED for my wife. Second car with quality AWD Traction System.Great winter driving car very safe and reliable. And yes I am a mechanic and was very reluctant to purchase a European luxury SUV knowing it may cost big bucks to fix! However after many years of caring for this car and chasing a few electrical issues I found this works 70% of the time correcting other repetitive performance problems AND in harmony with good manufactures maintenance schedules! The more power options you have clicked on the more tax on your charging / battery system. These cars have heated windshield,seats,power this and that, the list goes on, not to mention the ghost systems like alarms , anti theft systems that run on all the time! The driver inadvertently creates more problems by throwing on all these comfortable options that sap away at this little batteries reserve. Then we sits in traffic for an hour low idle stop and go. Your battery is too undersized right from the factory.LR puts in the smallest battery and there is not enough reserve power in these batteries to keep things going when you load up all of the above.And LR will not change the battery out under warranty if it is performing within design! I tried BUT because I am not an electrical engineer , my suggestion fell upon deaf ears...not broke CAN'T fix it? Any way.... Weak battery power compounds into your OBD-2 ignition-fuel management computer, if not functioning at full power will, throw bad mis fire codes, no spark at cylinders , check engine lights come on . Makes the car run rough , sluggish poor acceleration lack of power.I even had one door lock actuator that was periodically defective that assumed I was steeling the Freelander because one door was still locked? The car would not start until I made sure all the POWER door lock buttons where in the unlock position. All due to a weak battery and not enough power to push the electric lock to the open position! Also the cooling fans in this car again are electric taxing even more battery power. When the cooling fans won't run at full rpm they over heat. Melting all the plastic cooling connectors in this car leaking out vital coolant. All while staring at that never to hit HOT dash gauge! Because it measure liquid temps and there is nothing left in the liquid cooling system. ALL cars are designed this way If you over heat one of these all aluminum / plastic - engines you can expect big bucks for repair. Thanks to MY WIFE we dodged a huge repair bill she knew when she saw steam coming out from under the hood she needed to pull over and shut down immediately. If you are experiencing problems change out you pencil coils , up size the battery the bigger reserve power the better , test clean the cooling system, load test the charging system. All of these above suggestions DO NOT need to be done at a $135.00 / hour Land Rover Dealer. Your local Jack, Johns, Sandie's auto repair shop , mechanics shop with AMA / BBB status can do this for you for a fraction of the big dealer prices. If the car is off warranty or you need a second opinion the local Mom and Pop shops are a better bet. Nut Shell: Great Car just know its limits....and know a honest good mechanic!