AI DamageLand Rover Defender: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Land Rover Defender across 8 model years: 55 owner complaints and 915 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 35% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 15% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 19 complaints (35% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 557.
- Steering: 8 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 88.
- Engine: 7 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 189.
- Visibility: 7 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2020–2026
- 3.9 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1993–1995
- 4 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1997
- 5 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl 2022–2026
- 3 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl 2020–2027
- 4.4 L · hybrid · turbo · 8 cyl 2025–2027
- automatic, 4-speed 1997
- automatic, 8-speed 2020–2027
- manual, 5-speed 1993–1995
Drive: 4WD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 55 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 19 | 0 | 35 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 557 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 88 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 189 |
| Visibility | 7 | 1 | 33 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 127 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 73 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 393 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 178 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 16 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle was originally taken to the dealer for the emergency brakes, lane departure, emergency steering, traction control warning lights, and cracked windshield. However, the dealer could not replicate the failure and only the lane departure software was updated and the windshield was replaced but not calibrated.
The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The following day, the contact’s spouse started the vehicle, and the message “High Voltage Shutdown Not Possible – Live System” was displayed. The contact stated that after an inspection, DTC: P0A7B was retrieved.
This appears to be a known and recurring issue with the DRL/signature lighting system on 2020 Land Rover Defenders, yet these failures commonly occur outside of the vehicle’s original warranty period, leaving owners responsible for extremely expensive repairs or replacement of an entire headlight assembly for what…
Driving and the steering assistance warning goes off cuts off my cruise control and my lane keep assistance causing my car deceleration on highway promptly while going 70 mph.
The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was driving roughly. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and the vehicle felt as if the brake pedal was being depressed.
My 2020 Land Rover Defender 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) experienced a check engine light and hybrid electrical failure. Diagnostics by an authorized [dealer] dealer confirmed code P0A1F-96 (Battery Energy Control Module / BECM internal component failure).
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The engine coolant temperature amber warning is not enabled and not displayed on the instrument panel cluster
- Turbocharger Coolant Feed / Return Leak
- Jump Start Information Label Missing
- Coolant Bypass Hose Leak
- Diagnostic Trouble Code stored in the Powertrain Control Module(PCM)
- Accessory Wheel Arch Protection - Gaps Present Between Protection And Vehicle Body
- Quality defect may be present on the Stitching of the Rear Seatbelt Assembly
- Engine coolant temperature amber warning is not enabled and not displayed on the instrument panel cluster
- Turbocharger Coolant Feed / Return Leak
- Jump Start Information Label Missing
- Coolant Bypass Hose Leak
- TCU Activation Failure And InControl App Inoperative After Software Update
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.