The 2002 Land Rover Freelander has 5 recalls, the most serious being a child safety lock defect on five-door models where the rear door can still be opened from inside even when the lock is engaged, allowing a passenger to fall out into traffic.
The A-pillars on certain vehicles also fall short of federal occupant protection standards: during impact testing, the pillar trim area registered head impact forces above the permitted threshold, meaning occupants are at greater risk of head injury in a crash. The brake light system rounds out the remaining concerns. A brake lamp switch can become misadjusted and stay permanently connected, causing the brake lights to remain lit even when the driver's foot is off the pedal. Drivers following behind have no reliable signal for when the vehicle is actually braking, which raises the risk of a rear-end collision. On some vehicles this same issue also causes the hill descent control, traction control, and cruise control warning lights to stay on, which can create unnecessary confusion about the vehicle's operating status.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake lights stay on even when you're not braking. Hill descent control, traction control, and cruise control warning lights may also stay lit.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect and adjust or replace the brake light switches. A newly designed switch will be installed when available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake lamp switch may become misaligned during assembly or shift due to bracket flexing. When misaligned, the switch contacts can stay permanently connected, causing brake lamps to remain on constantly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake lamp switch and adjust or replace it as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The child safety lock on the left rear door may fail to prevent the door from opening with the interior handle when the lock is engaged.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the door latch assembly and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The interior door handle can open the door even when the child safety lock is engaged, defeating the safety feature.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the door latch assembly to restore proper child safety lock function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The A-pillar trim at the left and right sides does not provide enough padding. During impact testing, a head form registered measurements slightly above the safety limit in these areas.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the A-pillar trim with a revised component that meets safety standards.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
