2002 Land rover Defender problems
The Land Rover Defender (initially introduced as the Land Rover 110 / One Ten, and in 1984 joined by the Land Rover 90 / Ninety, plus the new, extra-length Land Rover 127 in 1985) is a series of British off-road cars and pickup trucks. They consistently have four-wheel drive, and were developed in the 1980s from the original Land Rover series which was launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show in April 1948. Following the 1989 introduction of the Land Rover Discovery, the term 'Land Rover' became the name of a broader marque, and thus no longer worked as the name of a specific model; thus in 1990 Land Rover renamed the 90 and 110 as Defender 90 and Defender 110 respectively. The 127 became the Defender 130.
The vehicle, a British equivalent of the Second World War derived (Willys) Jeep, gained a worldwide reputation for ruggedness and versatility. Using a steel ladder chassis and an aluminium alloy bodywork, the Land Rover originally used detuned versions of Rover engines. The original Defender is still being produced in developing countries despite the arrival of the Land Rover Defender (L663).
Though the Defender was not a new generation design, it incorporated significant changes, compared to the series Land Rovers, such as adopting coil springs front and rear, as opposed to all leaf springs on the previous; except for retaining rear leaf springs on high capacity (payload) models. Coil springs offered both better ride quality and improved axle articulation. Adding a lockable centre differential to the transfer case gave the Defender permanent (on-road) four-wheel-drive capability. Both changes were derived from the Range Rover, and the interiors were also modernised.
Externally, a full-length bonnet and full-width integrated grille and headlights, combined with (finally) a single-piece windscreen, plus widened wheel arches that covered new, wider-track axles were the most noticeable changes. Initially the engineering department conserved a part-time 4WD system, like on previous models, but it failed to sell, and this option was dropped in 1984. While the engine was carried over from the Series III, a new series of modern and more powerful engines was progressively introduced.
Even when ignoring the series Land Rovers and perhaps ongoing licence products, the 90/110 and Defender models' 33-year production run were ranked as the sixteenth longest single-generation car in history in 2020.
In 2020, Jaguar Land Rover introduced the first all new generation of Land Rover Defenders, switching from body on chassis to integrated bodywork and from live, rigid axles to all around independent suspension. While starting at a higher base price, the new model brought significant improvements to on road dynamics over the old model, air suspension is available on most trims. The range was originally limited to just two wheelbase lengths before a third, the Defender 130, was announced in 2022. The new Defender series is only available in closed, estate car bodies.
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Common 2002 Land rover Defender problems
Based on the information provided in the sources, here is a list of common problems with the Land Rover Defender 2002 based on complaints from owners:
- Recall on Flexible Brake Hoses: In April 2002, there was a recall on the flexible brake hoses due to the risk of chafing, potentially causing issues with the braking system .
- Service Brake Recall: In March 2004, a service brake recall was issued due to a short bounce of the chassis, affecting the braking performance of the vehicle .
- Seat Belt Mounting Defects: From August 2012, there was a recall for defective welding on seat belt mounting brackets, posing safety concerns .
- Common Rust Issues: Rust has been a long-term problem with Land Rover Defenders, affecting the structural integrity of the vehicle, especially in older models.
- Leaking Power Steering Systems: Some Defenders may experience leaks in the power steering system, leading to potential steering issues and fluid loss.
- Timing Belt Failure: Failure of the timing belt can result in severe engine damage, necessitating costly repairs or even engine replacement.
- Detached Front Wheel: Fracturing of part of the front axle could cause a front wheel to detach in vehicles built between specific dates, posing a serious safety hazard.
- Loss of Brake Fluid: Flexible brake hoses in Defenders constructed during a certain period could chafe and wear through, potentially leading to brake fluid leaks and brake system failure.
- Lack of Advanced Safety Features: The Land Rover Defender 2002 may lack some advanced safety features found in modern vehicles, which buyers should consider for overall safety.
These issues highlight the importance of regular maintenance, thorough inspections, and prompt repairs to ensure the Land Rover Defender 2002 remains safe and reliable for its owners.
What is the common problem of Land Rover Defender?
Land Rover Defenders may encounter fuel system issues such as clogged fuel filters, fuel pump failures, or injector problems. These issues can lead to poor engine performance, stalling, or even complete engine failure if not resolved promptly.
What is the best year of Land Rover Defender?
The Land Rover Defender 2020 and 2021, for example, retain the classic style, but offer improved reliability and modern luxury. However, the post-2006 Land Rover Defender models overall have been fitted with a wide range of benefits that can improve both the driving experience and Land Rover Defender reliability.
Are old Land Rover Defenders a good investment?
Vintage Land Rover Defenders are considered by many to be not only highly desirable vehicles, but also excellent investments. The reasons for their high cost and strong market performance can be attributed to a variety of factors. One major reason for their high cost is their rarity.
Are Land Rover Defenders expensive to repair?
Land Rovers are known for their specific technology and advanced features as high-end vehicles. Even though these are the things that make Land Rovers so desirable, however, it also means that maintenance and repairs can sometimes be expensive.
2002 Land rover Defender car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Land rover Defender problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2002 Land rover Defender vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2002 Land rover Defender complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2002 Land rover Defender.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-01-08
- VIN: SALNY22262A
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: I OWN A 2002 FREELANDER WHICH LEAKED COOLANT AND OVERHEATED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD GASKET. NOW I HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-08-18
- VIN: SALNY22282A
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE ENGINE IN MY 2002 LAND ROVER FREELANDER OVERHEATED AT ABOUT 65K MILES AND MADE IT THE 10 MILES OR SO TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER ONLY BECAUSE I KEPT STOPPING, REMOVING THE COOLANT TANK CAP, AND REPLACING THE FLUID EVERY FEW MILES. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED - AT MY EXPENSE, TO THE TUNE OF NEARLY $8K. MIND YOU, I PAID OVER $30K FOR THIS CAR ONLY 5 YEARS AGO AND HAVE KEPT IT WELL-SERVICED. TURNS OUT, THERE IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE (CHECK OUT THE EDMUNDS BLOG, TOWNHALL-TALK) IN THAT THE ENGINE IS RUINED IF IT OVERHEATS. I RECALLED HAVING HAD A MYSTERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OVERHEATING - IN THE DEAD OF A CHICAGO WINTER, NO LESS - WITHIN A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER PURCHASING IT. THE REPAIRS, WHICH I DID NOT UNDERSTAND, WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY. APPARENTLY, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT ADEQUATE. IN ANY CASE, AFTER PESTERING LAND ROVER FOR A FEW WEEKS UNTIL I REACHED THE "CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER" IN NEW JERSEY, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IDENTIFIED HERSELF AS THE "EXECUTIVE LIAISON" CALLED WITH A "ONE-TIME, GOODWILL OFFER BETWEEN US" THAT SHE WOULD NOT REDUCE TO WRITING - TO REDUCE THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT COST TO $2,500 FOR ME SINCE LAND ROVER CORPORATION WOULD PAY THE OTHER HALF OF THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER'S COST OF $5K, TREATING THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AS IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THAT'S REAL NICE EXCEPT THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING FOR LAND ROVER'S USE OF AN ENGINE WITH A FAULTY DESIGN. FROM WHAT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER HAS TOLD ME, THEY REPLACE THE RUINED ENGINE WITH A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE PRODUCED BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER THAT SOLD THEM THE ORIGINAL FAULTY ONE. SWELL. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-11-14
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: IN NOV. 2005 MY 2002 FREELANDER RAN HOT. WHILE CHECKING UNDER HOOD I NOTICED THE WATER RESERVOIR BOTTLE WAS EMPTY. I NOTIFIED HILTON HEAD LAND ROVER AND CARRIED THE VEHICLE TO THE THEM. THEY CHANGED THE RESERVOIR BOTTLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT MONTH THE VEHICLE RAN HOT AGAIN AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND TWO WEEKS LATER IT RAN HOT AGAIN. ON THIS VISIT IN WHICH EVERY VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AN HOUR FROM MY HOME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ONE WEEK LATER THE ENGINE FROZE UP AND WOULD NOT START AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THANKFULLY WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT WAS COVERED. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER FINDING WATER IN THE OIL. AT THE SAME TIME AS ALL THE ENGINE PROBLEMS WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUNROOF WHICH AFTER 4 TIMES OF ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR IT I THINK IT WAS REPAIRED. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR 2 WEEKS I NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING IN THE DRIVEWAY. AT THE DEALER THEY NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS RUPTURED PROBABLY DURING THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ONE WEEK AFTER THIS THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING VERY HARD LIKE A ROD ABOUT TO SHOOT THROUGH THE HOOD. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACK IN THE PRESSURE PLATE WHICH I AM SURE IS PROBABLY FROM RUNNING WITHOUT TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER DEALING WITH THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED I SOLD THE VEHICLE BACK TO HILTON HEAD LANDROVER WITH A 3500.00 LOSS. LANDROVER USA WAS NO HELP TO ME WITH THESE ISSUES AND OFFERED NO COMPENSATION TO MY LOSS. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER LAND ROVER. *NM
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2002 Land rover Defender problems:
Land Rover Defender Reliability : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
Apr 11, 2022 ... The dynamic suspension is prone to fail and the gas chamber for the airbags leak, the ac goes out, it has leaks and among other stupid quality ...
View topic - 2.5tdi advice on reliability and ... - DEFENDER2.NET
Personally I find the Td5 the best out of the lot, I've owned 9 and look after a fleet of site land rovers that are abused in the cruellest ways ...
How reliable would a high mile, 2002–2004 Range Rover Discovery ...
Dec 19, 2016 ... Range Rovers / Land Rovers are consistently at the very bottom of every reliability and consumer satisfaction index. Whatever the price is, just ...
What Breaks / Problems on Defender 130s?
Mar 29, 2009 ... I'd like to know specifically what is known to be problems with the 130s? ... '51 80", Discovery 2, Defender 130, 101 FC + 20 other Land Rover ...
How reliable is a Land Rover Defender? - Quora
Apr 1, 2019 ... How reliable would a high mile, 2002–2004 Range Rover ... What are known/common problems with the Land Rover Discovery 1? ... What are the problems ...
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