Land Rover Freelander L359
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
240 PS
Freelander Si4 · Benzin
Si4: petrol as a Freelander surprise
Decent200–300 PS
2.0L Ingenium Benzin Turbo Benzin
5 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Land Rover Freelander L359 is available with 4 engine variants — from 150 to 300 hp.
Ford/PSA-developed 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel with a cam belt (not a chain engine!). Belt change intervals must be strictly observed — engine damage in the event of belt failure is guaranteed. Piezo injectors and the DPF are the most common cost items. With a well-maintained service history, a solid everyday engine.
- !! Injector failure and leakage from 120,000 km
The 224DT piezo injectors are prone to leaking and failure. Even removing a damaged injector can render it unserviceable. Piston damage is possible if the leak goes unnoticed.
Symptoms: Rough engine noise, uneven idle, white smoke, fuel smell in oil, increased fuel consumption - !! Timing belt failure after service interval exceeded from 150,000 km
The 224DT has a timing belt (not a chain) that must be changed at manufacturer-specified intervals. If the belt snaps, piston-to-valve contact causes engine destruction. Many used vehicles have an overdue belt change.
Symptoms: Rough running or engine won't start (after snap), engine noise when belt slaps - !! High-pressure pump wear from 160,000 km
The common rail high-pressure pump can wear and shed metal particles into the fuel circuit. In the worst case all injectors and the rail are contaminated and must be replaced.
Symptoms: Difficult cold start, jerky acceleration, fuel pressure fault codes, engine light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Ford/PSA-developed 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel with a cam belt (not a chain engine!). Belt change intervals must be strictly observed — engine damage in the event of belt failure is guaranteed. Piezo injectors and the DPF are the most common cost items. With a well-maintained service history, a solid everyday engine.
- !! Injector failure and leakage from 120,000 km
The 224DT piezo injectors are prone to leaking and failure. Even removing a damaged injector can render it unserviceable. Piston damage is possible if the leak goes unnoticed.
Symptoms: Rough engine noise, uneven idle, white smoke, fuel smell in oil, increased fuel consumption - !! Timing belt failure after service interval exceeded from 150,000 km
The 224DT has a timing belt (not a chain) that must be changed at manufacturer-specified intervals. If the belt snaps, piston-to-valve contact causes engine destruction. Many used vehicles have an overdue belt change.
Symptoms: Rough running or engine won't start (after snap), engine noise when belt slaps - !! High-pressure pump wear from 160,000 km
The common rail high-pressure pump can wear and shed metal particles into the fuel circuit. In the worst case all injectors and the rail are contaminated and must be replaced.
Symptoms: Difficult cold start, jerky acceleration, fuel pressure fault codes, engine light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Volvo-developed 3.2-litre straight-six petrol, built at the Bridgend plant. Check the READ unit on pre-2010 build years for needle bearing failure (growling noise). Timing chain is designed for the life of the engine, but check for stretch at very high mileages. Overall one of the more reliable engines in the Freelander 2.
- !! READ unit: needle bearing failure pre-2010 from 90,000 km
Freelander 2 vehicles with B6324S engines built before production week 20/2010 can suffer needle bearing failure in the READ unit (Rear Engine Auxiliary Drive). A growling noise occurs at 1,700–2,000 rpm. Volvo redesigned the unit with ball bearings.
Symptoms: Growling noise at 1,700–2,000 rpm when warm, vibrations, noise reduces on load changes - !! Timing chain stretch at high mileage from 200,000 km
The B6324S timing chain is designed for the lifetime of the engine and requires no regular replacement. At high mileages with irregular oil changes the chain can stretch, however. Early diagnosis recommended from 200,000 km.
Symptoms: Engine noise on cold start, P0011/P0021 camshaft position errors, power loss - !! Elevated oil consumption from piston ring wear from 180,000 km
The B6324S can develop elevated oil consumption from piston ring wear at higher mileages. The quality of engine oil used influences consumption. More prevalent in the US market than in Europe.
Symptoms: Elevated oil consumption (>0.5L/1000km), blue smoke on hard acceleration, fouled spark plugs
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 2.0L Ingenium turbocharged four-cylinder petrol shares the timing chain architecture with the diesel. Thermostat housing leaks are common and promote secondary damage to the piston cooling valve. No DPF oil dilution problem, but increased oil consumption at high mileages.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 90,000 km
The 204PT petrol shares its timing chain architecture with the diesel counterpart. Chains pre-2019 are particularly susceptible. Repair requires gearbox removal (20–30 hours labour).
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, rough idle, misfires - !! Thermostat housing leak and coolant loss from 70,000 km
The Ingenium petrol thermostat housing is known for coolant leaks. Escaping coolant can drip onto hot engine components and damage secondary parts.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible external leak, fluctuating engine temperature, steam from the engine bay, sweet smell - !! Turbocharger failure from 110,000 km
Turbocharger failure from oil starvation and bearing damage. On the 204PT the turbo oil supply is closely linked to the timing chain lubrication situation.
Symptoms: Whistling or howling noise, power loss under acceleration, oil warning light
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Haldex pump failure (Gen 3/4) The Haldex pre-charge pump wears from around 60,000–100,000 km. Worn brushes and commutator erosion produce fault code P1889-14. Without repair, complete Haldex failure follows. Symptoms: AWD warning light, front wheel slip on loose ground, 'Transmission Fault' message, no 4WD drive felt from 80,000 km | Medium | |
| Rear differential bearing wear Bearings in the rear differential wear and generate a howling noise that increases with speed. Delay leads to damage of the Haldex coupling and can cause total drivetrain failure. Symptoms: Howling from the rear that increases with speed, noise changes when steering, vibrations at certain speeds from 130,000 km | Medium |
Test Reports
AUTO BILD used car test
The Freelander II is regarded as a problem child at MOT with above-average fault rates.
2020-01Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 23 weaknesses have been documented for the Land Rover Freelander L359 (2006–2014) — 15 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. One problem engine: 204PT (2.0L Ingenium Benzin Turbo). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Body, Rust, Electronics.
Freelander (224DT, 2006–2010) — Be Careful: Injector failure and leakage, Timing belt failure after service interval exceeded, High-pressure pump wear. Power: 160 PS.
Freelander (224DT, 2010–2014) — Be Careful: Injector failure and leakage, Timing belt failure after service interval exceeded, High-pressure pump wear. Power: 150–152 PS.
Freelander (224DT, 2010–2014) — Be Careful: Injector failure and leakage, Timing belt failure after service interval exceeded, High-pressure pump wear. Power: 190 PS.
Freelander (B6324S, 2006–2010) — Be Careful: READ unit: needle bearing failure pre-2010, Timing chain stretch at high mileage, Elevated oil consumption from piston ring wear. Power: 232 PS.
Freelander (204PT, 2012–2014) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Thermostat housing leak and coolant loss, Turbocharger failure. Power: 241 PS.
What to watch out for with the Land Rover Freelander? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee