Freelander 2, is it really a pile of !!!!

Hello all,
Just over 2yrs ago I bought a 09 Freelander 2.2 HSE with 48,000 on the clock with all the toys, and optional 3 yr warranty form a main dealer, I know I paid a premium of 21.5k but better to be safe than sorry.

Anyway arter 2 months one day it would not start, just said steering locked on the info panel. Called Land Rover assist and eventually got it started, this happened 2 more times. I phoned the dealer to tell them and they said next time it happens get Land Rover assist to get it on a trailer and get it to them to do diagnostic check. Anyway up until January this year, I have had 2 new steering modules on it so hopefully that's fixed that problem.

Now after only doing 6000 miles since I had the car, ive been told that the rear diff has gone, so I need a new one. I bought the car hoping it was going to last me at least 10yrs, if I looked after it, I thought these cars are supposed to be robust and reliable, are they really this bad? Okay all this work has been done under the warranty with no quibble, but that runs out it October.

So the big Question is should I keep it? its a lovely car apart from the problems ive had, or after the rear diff has been sorted, should I sell it, trade it in, and go back to a RAV4, which incidentally I had for 5yrs before the Freelander, with no trouble at all.

Thanks for advice Martin.

op2:

Hello all,
Thanks that's very helpful.

Regards Martin.

Before jumping up and down why not pop over too the intro section and give some background info on yourself

pays your money, takes the choice...

the rear diff issue was quite widely documented, and in some cases was resolved with a software upgrade, but if the software upgrade wasn't carried out then it could cause diff failure

the steering module was similarly well documented, and could be cause by a number of factors.

if you have a jump over to Freel2.com - Index you'll find a lot more info on there.

Although landyzone is the best forum for overall advice, the Freelander 2 is still a bit new to be showing on here in any great detail

good luck

Hello Optimus Prime,

I am a Complete tecknophobe, and this forum is the first ive been on, so please excuse my ignorance on the correct procedures on asking questions on here.
Thanks very much for your advice and I will look into it.

Regards Martin.

You would be betterer asking this question in the Freelander section over ere: Land Rover Freelander - Land Rover Zone

Welcome to the forum.

Has LR paid for all the repairs so far?

Have you asked them to pay for the rear diff or did they offer? Several people have contacted LR customer assistance (or whatever they're called) and they help them with the price.

The rear diff should now be sorted, there is a bearing repair kit and once fitted they don't seem to have any more issues in that respect. yes there was a software upgrade we used to do but they should all be done now as it was a service action.
As for The steering lock problem. the CJB out puts an unlock signal to the steering lock which is earthed through the instrument pack. most of the ones I have done have been the pack though we don't seem to get many now so I think they must have sorted it out now.
On the whole they are very reliable and nice to drive, and I would have one if I had the money

Hello Hippo,
Yes LR have paid for all repairs so far, and also the rear diff will be done under the 3yr warranty I took out when I bought the car, which runs out in October, they have been very good really.
Just visited the Freel2.com site on advice from Optimus Prime, and there also seems to be problems with Haldex units (what ever that is) but I don't think its showing any symptoms of that.
Thanks for the welcome.

Regards Martin.

Hi Owl,

I do agree it is a very nice car to drive, but I don't think mine has been sorted. I bought the car hoping it will last me into my retirement, if I maintained it, so I need reliability.

Regards Martin.

Haldex is the rear diff. Electrically operated type of diff.

They really are ok and as good as they come nowadays. Get the thing sorted under warranty and enjoy

Hello all,
Thanks very much for the advice I will get it sorted, and try to enjoy.
Regards Martin.

And see if you can extend the warranty when the three years are up.

All depends on your use of the car. I'd keep the landrover as it has a superior drive system too the rav4. But I pull a caravan and find the stability of a landy can't be beat.
If you can extend the warranty again then do so for your peace of mind.
Plus there's always loads of free advice on here, so long as you can take a bit of stick.
Good luck
Mike

more than happy with mine, comfortable and (so far) been reliable. little bit more expensive on servicing etc than other makes (such as ford, vauxhall) but not too much.

as for stability when towing, I'll second that. handles really well with a caravan on the back, even did a full 60 to 0 emergency stop with mine and it didn't bat an eyelid.

(someone pulled out of a layby onto a dual carriageway then saw my headlights flashing so stopped in lane 1 !, I thought it was game over as I had nowhere to go, vehicle in the lane next to me so couldn't pull out)

Not had many cars that I've been this happy with, can't see me getting rid any time soon. Only slight downside is the smaller than expected boot, but that is the price to pay for the spare being in the boot, not on the tailgate like it's predecessor.

Really happy with the audio too, use an ipod/iphone through the aux input and the quality is really rather good.

2.2 is a good drive, it's mild mannered around town, but floor it and it pulls well.

Hi all,
Yes I must admit I did think about extending the warranty.
Thanks again for help and advice.
Regards Martin.

The worse car ive ever driven is a rav4. Once your gaylander is sorted it'll be sweet. Not a bad motor-dont tell anyone I said that.

goonarmy said:

Once your gaylander is sorted it'll be sweet. Not a bad motor-dont tell anyone I said that.

Click to expand...

Might just put that in the quotes on my sig