NHTSA Complaint #10273873 — 2004 LAND ROVER FREELANDER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LAND ROVER FREELANDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER AND HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY REMEDY WOULD BE TO INSTALL A REBUILT ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE THAT THERE WERE NO ENGINES AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT SIX WEEKS FOR THE REPAIR. THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH OIL, WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CYLINDER LINERS WERE MADE OF STEEL AND THE REST OF THE ENGINE WAS ALUMINUM. WHEN THE ENGINE HEATED, THE PART COLLAPSED INTO THE ALUMINUM PARTS, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL AND THE POWER TO SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 7/14/09 *CN UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB