Purchased a HSE Auto in January this year from a main dealer with Landrover used car warranty scheme and have been very happy with the car, however since then I have went back to the dealer with a problem of vibration or skipping from the back end on heavy acceleration especially on turning at junctions, felt like the tyres were battling one another and generally not very refined on other occasions.

Having reviewed many posts on here on here regarding the Haldex unit. I contacted my dealer with my issue. They arranged an inspection of the vehicle. Their diagnosis was a faulty Haldex unit which they ended up changing for a Landrover reconditioned version. Vehicle was returned to me and initially was OK, but my initial opinion was that there was still some skipping at the back end although very faint. Now 2 or 3 weeks later the symptoms have returned to almost the same as before. The car has now been booked back into the dealer for further investigation.

Questioning myself whether I am expecting too much from the car and indeed if the transmission skipping/vibrating is typical for a Freelander 2? Its not right, and certainly not what I would expect in refinement from a relatively expensive car.
I would like to emphasise that the dealer has been most helpful and hopefully we will get to the problem in the end, hence its not a go at them or Landrover. I would like to know if owners with known good working Haldex units experience any of the vibration/skipping issues?

Absolutely NOT typical of the car, but is typical of a faulty Haldex unit.

Haldex FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Curious to know more about what the skipping/vibration is? I've always thought my MY13 SD4 auto was a bit rough on low speed reversing and when in P with foot on brakes at lights. A little juddery, but not moving. Thought it might just be down to being an older generation Diesel engine?

Has to be the Haldex or a software issue.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Hi Lovel,
I purchased my 63 plate SD4 HSE Lux with only 18k miles from a main dealer in Dec 16 with the 2 year warranty. It was to replace my 2007 FL2 GS Auto which I had from new. Really pleased with the old FL2, so wanted a newer one.
Whilst I still love the FL2, I am experiencing so many intermittent transmission / engine issues which the dealer doesn't seem able to fix. I have had vibration, holding too high a gear, hesitation when pulling away and it culminated in 3 occasions of restricted performance = dealer replaced EGR and I'm assured all the latest software installed = still getting intermittent problems. What to do next? just want it fixed. It just doesn't reflect what I expect from what was a £35k vehicle when new.
Don't get me wrong, I want to keep it as I love FL2, but just want a solution.

Well its booked to go back into the dealer in a couple of weeks time. Can't believe the new replacement is playing up already. Will update this thread once they have had a look at it.

I'm having the same issue, 3 haldex units in 1600 miles (the first haldex replaced lasted 20 miles ...)

2012 HSE Auto

Judder / vibrations on low speed on half or full lock and also in reverse

After deeper investigations, LR is saying that the propshaft is causing this repeatedly haldex failure and it has to be changed along with the haldex.

That's interesting. Mine has developed what sounds like a transmission bearing failing coming from the propshaft area! Need to book in again.

Arese wrote:

I'm having the same issue, 3 haldex units in 1600 miles (the first haldex replaced lasted 20 miles ...)

2012 HSE Auto

Judder / vibrations on low speed on half or full lock and also in reverse

After deeper investigations, LR is saying that the propshaft is causing this repeatedly haldex failure and it has to be changed along with the haldex.

Oh come on don't depress me even more than I am already

I sincerely hope that I don't beat your Haldex tally.

Received the car back yesterday and all seems fine at the moment.

The dealer tried changing the oil in the (Landrover reconditioned) Haldex (replacement No.1) initially, road tested, but symptoms were still present. They also disconnected the ECU of the Haldex and the symptoms disappeared.

After discussions with LR Technical assistance they removed and flushed out the active on demand and coupling, road tested, but pretty soon after the noise and judder started to return.

LR Technical advised them to change out to another Haldex unit (LR reconditioned (replacement No.2) and pump.

At times like this I just wish they had retained the crude but effective viscous coupling from the FL1, which never gave me a problem in all my FL1's as they were changed out at 100k miles as I considered them a service item. Somehow I'm not convinced about all this electrical wizardry with its lifespan is limited in some cases.

During the time the car was in the dealers we had a high spec Discovery Sport loan car which was almost new, and drove lovely. Started becoming attached to it for the three weeks or so. However I still cannot get used to its go faster city slicker bling look about it hence the FL2 purchase in the first place. Cant fault the dealer at all, very helpful and friendly. Thanks Pentland Landrover in Cupar.

Replacement Haldex #1


Replacement Haldex #2

Cant fault the dealer at all, very helpful and friendly.

At the price of these even now secondhand at LR dealers so they should be.  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

cars they are offering trade in prices of 14k are going up on their forecourts at 19k !!

Lovel wrote:

and flushed out the active on demand and coupling,

Yep, once at 40K the filters need servicing and cleaning, you can flush away all day long but it won't change a filter.  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current