2002 Land Rover Defender
Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 0
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
None on file
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2002: 3 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2020 | 57 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 76 |
| 2023 | 85 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Only 3 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Engine and engine cooling
3 of 3 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing cooling system.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-09-25
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-06-17
Also filed under Power train
Power train
1 of 3 total reports mentions: power train.
Safety timeline
No recalls on file for this model year.
0 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Land Rover Defender — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 3 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 1 report on file for this year.
FAQ
- Is the 2002 Land Rover Defender reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Land Rover Defender?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Land Rover Defender have?
- No recalls are on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.