LAND Rover is recalling 68,838 Freelanders built before March 2001 because of safety concerns over the handbrake. A spokeswoman said: 'Isolated examples have been identified in which the handbrake has failed to engage fully.

In extreme circumstances this could mean the handbrake could release if it received a vigorous jolt, such as the slamming of a car door.' Problems with the seat back mechanism and the routing of the engine harness have also been identified.