Freelander Brake Warning, Low Fluid Mystery Alert

Hey there! I have some experience working on cars, and I actually dealt with something similar on my 2012 Land Rover Discovery diesel last year. The brake warning light combined with low fluid often points to worn brake pads/discs. In my case, the front and rear pads were completely worn out, and one of the discs was scored pretty badly. Took it to my regular workshop, and they confirmed my suspicion. Ended up getting all pads replaced plus one disc, setting me back about 480 Euro, not cheap, but you can't mess around with brakes! Before I can give more specific advice, could you tell us: How many miles/kilometers are on your Freelander? Do you hear any squealing when braking? Can you feel any vibration in the brake pedal? This would help figure out if you're dealing with the same issue I had.

Thanks for the detailed reply! My Freelander has 122989 KM and just had its service last month. I don't hear any squealing, but there's a slight vibration when braking hard. I've noticed the fluid level keeps dropping gradually even after topping up. I'm starting to wonder if there might be a leak somewhere in the system. Could this be related to what you experienced with your Discovery?

Oh, that's quite different from what I experienced with my Discovery! The symptoms you're describing, especially the fluid level dropping after topping up, definitely sounds like you might have a leak in the brake system. In my case, the fluid was low because the brake pads were worn, which is normal. But continuously losing fluid even after topping up? That's a red flag. On my Discovery, I never had that issue, when I topped up the fluid, it stayed at the correct level. I'd strongly suggest getting this checked ASAP. While my brake issue was just worn pads and discs, a leak in the brake system is potentially more serious. Could be a damaged brake line, faulty master cylinder, or leaking caliper seals. The vibration you're feeling could be related or might be a separate issue with your rotors. Don't want to alarm you, but I wouldn't wait too long on this one. When I had my brake problems, I could at least drive safely, but a leak in the system is different territory. Would you mind keeping us posted about what you find out? Really curious to know what's causing your issue. Just keep in mind, Freelanders and Discoveries may share some DNA, but they can have their own quirks when it comes to these issues!

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! Just wanted to update the thread after getting some more insights. The leak issue definitely seems more serious than I initially thought, and it's quite different from what you experienced with your Discovery. I've booked the car in for tomorrow morning at the workshop, not taking any chances with brake system problems! Really appreciate all the feedback, especially about the difference between normal wear and tear versus a potential leak. I'll make sure to post an update once I know what's actually causing the problem. The fact that the fluid keeps dropping even after topping up definitely has me concerned, but at least I'm going in with some knowledge about what to expect. Thanks again for sharing your experiences. It's always helpful to hear from other Land Rover owners, even if our issues turn out to be different. Will keep you all posted on what the mechanics find!