2020 Land Rover Defender
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2020 Land Rover Defender. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
8 recalls name the 2020 Land Rover Defender. Newest first.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, and Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The DC-DC converter may malfunction…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is E008. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V248.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Risk and remedy
Risk
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the central software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with Raised Air Intake (RAI) aftermarket accessory equipment, with part number VPLEP0543. The raised air intake may not be secured properly, which can allow the intake to detach from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the RAI accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N964.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles. The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.
Risk and remedy
Risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The owner's manual incorrectly states that the third-row seating is equipped with LATCH child seat restraints with top tethers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Incorrect child restraint information may result in a child seat being improperly secured, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Land Rover will mail owners the correct information to insert into the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N601.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles equipped with smoked rear light assemblies. A voltage spike, triggered by a bright light shining on the rear of the vehicle, can cause the turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights to fail.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 27, 2021. Owners can contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N598.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may unexpectedly switch off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in an engine stall with no warning.
Risk and remedy
Risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The Connected Diagnostic Services (CDS) and the Over-the-air (OTA) diagnostics functionality will be disabled, either by a dealer or through an OTA update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N599.
Owner complaints
58 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine · Suspension
On 10/22/26 me and my son were driving home from a football game. We were less than 5 minutes away when several warning lights flashed for a second. I was in the middles of an intersection when this happened. The car stopped and the engine reved. I tried to drive to the sode of the road away from…
On 10/22/26 me and my son were driving home from a football game. We were less than 5 minutes away when several warning lights flashed for a second. I was in the middles of an intersection when this happened. The car stopped and the engine reved. I tried to drive to the sode of the road away from traffic. The car would not go into drive, neutral, or park. Instead it put inself into reverse in the intersection. I had to hold the brake down as the car would not allow me to power off. After several minutes the car finally died. We had to have it towed to our home as it was late and dealships were closed. Gearbox malfunction light, check engine light, system malfunction, suspension warning, drive with caution lights are what appeared. This was very traumatic to me and my kiddo. Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else. We are so lucky that we wer not in any type of accident. Thornton PD did show up to help and direct traffic.
- Exterior lighting
I am reporting a suspected systemic safety defect involving premature failure of the integrated LED daytime running lights (DRLs) on 2020–2026 Land Rover Defender (L663) vehicles. The DRLs reportedly fail at relatively low mileage, frequently around 50,000 miles, during normal vehicle operation.…
I am reporting a suspected systemic safety defect involving premature failure of the integrated LED daytime running lights (DRLs) on 2020–2026 Land Rover Defender (L663) vehicles. The DRLs reportedly fail at relatively low mileage, frequently around 50,000 miles, during normal vehicle operation. The suspected cause is overheating and premature deterioration of the integrated LED driver electronics due to inadequate thermal management. The precise cause requires investigation. This failure eliminates an important daytime vehicle conspicuity feature, reducing visibility to approaching motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, particularly during rain, overcast weather, and transitional lighting conditions. Some owners report no dashboard warning when the DRLs fail, potentially leaving drivers unaware of the malfunction. Jaguar Land Rover has known about this issue since at least 2021. Its Special Service Message SSM 75479 specifically acknowledges DRL failures on 2020–2021 Defenders and documents an engineering investigation. Similar failures have subsequently been reported by owners of later model years, suggesting a potentially unresolved design defect. Because the DRL electronics are integrated into the sealed headlamp assembly, dealerships generally require replacement of the entire assembly, costing approximately $3,000 per headlight or $6,000 for both. Land Rover reportedly provides goodwill replacements selectively while requiring other owners to pay out of pocket. I request that NHTSA investigate the entire 2020–2026 Defender population, examine JLR’s engineering records, warranty claims, component failure rates, and headlamp design revisions, and determine whether a safety recall and manufacturer-funded corrective action are warranted. This is a recurring failure of a factory-installed safety-related lighting system, not simply an ordinary maintenance or warranty concern.
- Electrical system · Engine · Exterior lighting
My 2020 Land Rover Defender 110X with 33,835 miles displayed a red “charging system fault detected” warning upon startup. The outside temp was approx 39F, and I have just activated the heat seat and heated steering wheel. The vehicle was stationery when the warning appeared. The battery is…
My 2020 Land Rover Defender 110X with 33,835 miles displayed a red “charging system fault detected” warning upon startup. The outside temp was approx 39F, and I have just activated the heat seat and heated steering wheel. The vehicle was stationery when the warning appeared. The battery is relatively new having been replaced in 2026. I restarted the car and it went away. Then I got 4 miles from my house and the warning came back. This appears to be a failure of the DC-DC converter assoc. w/ NHTSA safety recall 26V248, then recall 26V599. The manufacturer acknowledges this is a defect that causes loss of 12-volt charging. My vehicle displayed “Charging system fault detected” rather than the “Stop Safely Electrical Fault Detected” in JLR’s earlier technical documentation. I am concerned that the warning may not adequately communicate the severity of the potential safety hazard. I did drive the car 5 miles to a day care and back. With 2 dogs in the car. The voltage on my radar detector display got as low as 10.x volts so I returned home and parked the car instead of taking the ferry. What makes this particularly unacceptable is the manufacturer’s documented history of this defect. In LR’s April 2026 filing, the company reviewed increasing DC-DC converter warranty claims in Sept 2024 but determined initially that the issue idd not present an unreasonable safety risk. The recall was initiated after JLR finally agreed with NHTSA about the safety concerns in April 2026. Despite this recall, owners like me continue to experience failures of a critical component while awaiting an actual recall remedy/repair. This vehicle is used to transport my family. A failure like this would progress to complete loss of lighting, power and all systems: putting my family, passengers & others at risk. Sudden immobilization is concerning as we live on an Island, where travel regularly involves the ferry, rural roads, dark roads & no mobile connectivity. Where’s the remedy JLR?
- Electrical system
The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Defender. 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…
The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Defender. 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. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V248000 (Electrical System); however, the part was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
- Electrical system
The dealership is not able to perform the recall in a timely manner.
- Exterior lighting
Our 2020 Defender's halo light on the driver's side has become inoperable & poses a safety hazard. After researching this issue, it appears that this has been reported widely online. This malfunctioning halo light renders overall lighting very dim at night, creating a safety hazard for my vehicle…
Our 2020 Defender's halo light on the driver's side has become inoperable & poses a safety hazard. After researching this issue, it appears that this has been reported widely online. This malfunctioning halo light renders overall lighting very dim at night, creating a safety hazard for my vehicle & other drivers on the road. While looking online this is a rampant problem with this model, with the dealers wanting to charge & exorbitant cost of $4K+ I am writing to request that the manufacturer assume full responsibility & costs for repairing this safety related lighting defect at a local dealership. Properly functioning exterior lighting is an essential safety feature of any vehicle. This malfunction affects my visibility. We purchased this vehicle with the reasonable expectation that critical safety equipment would function properly & that the manufacturer would stand behind defects involving safety issues. I believe it is unreasonable for me to be expected to bear the cost of diagnosis, parts or repair as this is an inherent lighting system issue. I am therefore requesting that the manufacturer cover 100% of all costs. This is a safety issue, not a cosmetic concern & I strongly urge the manufacturer to treat it accordingly. The halo light has been out for a few weeks; there were no warnings that the light was out just noticed dim lighting & neighbor while passing on the road mentioned it.
- Exterior lighting
I own a 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 HSE, and both of the vehicle’s daytime running lights (DRLs) have failed. The first DRL failed at approximately 63,000 miles, and the second DRL failed at approximately 68,000 miles. This appears to be a known and recurring issue with the DRL/signature lighting…
I own a 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 HSE, and both of the vehicle’s daytime running lights (DRLs) have failed. The first DRL failed at approximately 63,000 miles, and the second DRL failed at approximately 68,000 miles. 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 appears to be a failure of a small electronic component. This is a safety concern, not simply an aesthetic or convenience issue. When one of the signature DRLs fails, the lighting appearance of the vehicle can make it appear as though a headlight or other required exterior light is not functioning properly. This can make the vehicle less conspicuous to other drivers and can also result in confusion or concern from law enforcement. A vehicle with one side of its DRL signature illuminated and the other side completely dark can appear to have a lighting malfunction, potentially resulting in the driver being pulled over or cited. The fact that both DRLs on my vehicle have now failed independently at approximately 63,000 and 68,000 miles is particularly concerning and suggests a recurring component or design defect rather than an isolated failure. Owners should not be expected to replace an entire headlight assembly at significant expense because of a predictable failure of the DRL electronics. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the frequency and cause of DRL failures on 2020 Land Rover Defenders and determine whether a safety-related defect exists and whether Land Rover should be required to provide a permanent remedy, particularly given that these failures can occur after the original warranty has expired. I am also concerned about the potential impact of this recurring failure on vehicle inspection and registration requirements.
- Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking · Steering · Vehicle speed control
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.
- Engine and engine cooling · Exterior lighting · Service brakes
The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Defender. 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…
The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Defender. 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. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, and the contact was informed that the coolant hose attached to the radiator and the coolant pipes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred approximately one month later. The front driver’s side headlight had failed and was replaced by the local dealer. The contact stated that one month later, the front passenger’s side headlight failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 40,000.
- Electrical system · Power train
My 2020 Land Rover Defender 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) experienced a check engine light and hybrid electrical failure. Diagnostics by an authorized Jaguar Land Rover dealer confirmed code P0A1F-96 (Battery Energy Control Module / BECM internal component failure). This failure…
My 2020 Land Rover Defender 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) experienced a check engine light and hybrid electrical failure. Diagnostics by an authorized Jaguar Land Rover dealer confirmed code P0A1F-96 (Battery Energy Control Module / BECM internal component failure). This failure relates directly to an active, global safety recall issued by JLR (NHTSA Campaign 26V248 / JLR Recall D126) regarding DC-DC converter failures in MHEV vehicles. According to JLR recall documentation, a microchip failure in the DC-DC converter causes a total loss of 12V system charging, leading to electrical warnings and a sudden loss of motive power/propulsion while driving. CHRONIC CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE: This vehicle has suffered from unresolved, long-term 12V charging system degradation caused by this MHEV subsystem defect. This chronic lack of proper charging has directly destroyed three (3) primary 12V main batteries and the emergency telematics (SOS) backup battery over a 4-year period. Replacing these auxiliary batteries failed to fix the underlying issue because the MHEV system/DC-DC converter continuously fails to maintain adequate charging across vehicle systems. This continuous voltage collapse eventually triggered the permanent BECM hardware lockout code (P0A1F-96). SAFETY HAZARD: A sudden loss of 12V system charging and subsequent loss of propulsion on public roads or at highway speeds presents a severe crash hazard to occupants and other motorists. STATUS & DEALER REFUSAL: An authorized JLR dealer confirmed code P0A1F-96 and documented "Pending Recall Campaign D126ADM2" on the official service invoice. Despite this being an acknowledged, safety-related defect in the MHEV system leading to loss of drive power, JLR North America and the dealer refuse to repair or grant goodwill coverage under the active safety recall framework, quoting over $3,400 out-of-pocket. The vehicle is available for inspection.
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting
I own a 2020 Land Rover Defender and have experienced a failure of the LED halo ring/daytime running light within the headlight assembly. The LED ring stopped functioning even though the headlight assembly has not been damaged, modified, or involved in any accident. This failure affects the…
I own a 2020 Land Rover Defender and have experienced a failure of the LED halo ring/daytime running light within the headlight assembly. The LED ring stopped functioning even though the headlight assembly has not been damaged, modified, or involved in any accident. This failure affects the vehicle's visibility and appearance and may create a safety concern because the daytime running light is no longer operating as intended. I contacted the dealership regarding the issue, but I was informed that the repair is not covered under warranty, despite similar LED halo and DRL failures being reported by other Defender owners. I am requesting that this issue be investigated, as it appears to be a defect in the headlight assembly rather than normal wear and tear.
- Exterior lighting
Daytime running lights on my car gave out. This has been an issue with 2020+ Defenders as the LED module burns out overtime due to a lack of sufficient cooling. Land Rover quoted over 5000 dollars for headlight replacements just for a simple LED bulb. This needs to be addressed.
- Exterior lighting
The driver-side headlight assembly failed unexpectedly on my 2020 Land Rover Defender 110. This appears to be a known and recurring issue with this vehicle model involving the headlight or related electrical/control system. The failed component and vehicle are available for inspection upon request.…
The driver-side headlight assembly failed unexpectedly on my 2020 Land Rover Defender 110. This appears to be a known and recurring issue with this vehicle model involving the headlight or related electrical/control system. The failed component and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. The failure significantly reduced nighttime visibility and made the vehicle less visible to oncoming traffic and other drivers. Operating the vehicle with only one functioning headlight created a hazardous driving condition, especially during nighttime driving, adverse weather, and on poorly lit roads. This increased the risk of an accident for myself, passengers, and other motorists. The issue was reproduced and/or confirmed by the dealership/service center after inspection. The failure appears consistent with similar complaints reported by other Defender owners regarding headlight malfunction issues. The vehicle/component has been inspected by the dealership/service center. No inspection has been conducted by police or insurance representatives at this time. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure.
- Electrical system
While I was driving, the vehicle shut down unexpectedly. I was sliding sideways across the road on ice on the side of a cliff and luckily was able to stop the vehicle before going off the side of the mountain. I had to entirely restart the vehicle to begin driving again.
- Engine
I am reporting a systemic failure of exhaust manifold retaining bolts on the 2020 Land Rover Defender (L663, P400 engine). While removing the engine skid plate, I discovered a fractured exhaust manifold bolt that had fallen down. The bolt head had separated, leaving the threaded portion in the…
I am reporting a systemic failure of exhaust manifold retaining bolts on the 2020 Land Rover Defender (L663, P400 engine). While removing the engine skid plate, I discovered a fractured exhaust manifold bolt that had fallen down. The bolt head had separated, leaving the threaded portion in the cylinder head. There are I believe 12 manifold bolts securing the integrated exhaust manifold/turbocharger assembly, & multiple owners have documented similar failures, including cases with multiple broken bolts on one vehicle. The exhaust manifold is integrated with the turbocharger and is part of the emissions control pathway. This assembly operates at extremely high temps. Based on the pattern of failures, repeated thermal cycling and inadequate fastener material appear to cause bolt fatigue and fracture. When bolts break, proper clamping force is lost and hot exhaust gases escape directly into the engine compartment rather than remaining sealed within the manifold/turbo assembly. This presents serious safety concerns: Fire risk: Escaping exhaust gases from a turbocharged engine can exceed 1,000°F. These gases are released near wiring, plastic components, insulation, and other materials. Loss of sealing increases the risk of localized overheating and engine compartment fire. Exhaust gas intrusion: Exhaust leaks at the manifold can allow exhaust gases to enter the passenger compartment. Emissions defect: As this leak occurs upstream of emissions control components, unmetered exhaust gases escape before entering the emissions system, affecting federally regulated emissions compliance. This costs thousands to fix and owners are going to ignore it due to cost & unawareness. Multiple vehicles across varying mileages have experienced this issue, suggesting a systemic design or material defect rather than normal wear. Exhaust manifold fasteners should not fracture under normal operating conditions on a vehicle with 30,000 miles.
- Visibility/wiper
We have had our vehicle for 3 years and had to replace our windshield twice from random cracks starting from the exterior windshield where it meets the body of the care. It has happened on its own, twice, which impact from any object. The cost of the windshield, as installed is over $2000 each time, and it is repeated occurrence with owners.
- Electrical system
The DC to DC converter for the Hybrid 48v Electrical system has failed. This puts the vehicle at risk of a fire. The part is backordered for a significant amount of time, and there are many others in this situation.
- Electrical system · Engine · Steering
The DC/DC converter is failing on the vehicles regularly. This results in the vehicle losing power and shutting down while driving. I own this vehicle and while it hasn’t happened yet, I constantly fear that it will. With the common knowledge and frequency of this occurrence, Land Rover should fix as a recall to ensure the safety of all customers. Please push for this. Thank you.
- Electrical system · Steering
While using the heated steering wheel function on my 2020 Land Rover Defender, the steering wheel began to overheat significantly after being turned on for a short time. The surface temperature became so hot that it burned and discolored the leather, releasing a strong burnt smell. This overheating…
While using the heated steering wheel function on my 2020 Land Rover Defender, the steering wheel began to overheat significantly after being turned on for a short time. The surface temperature became so hot that it burned and discolored the leather, releasing a strong burnt smell. This overheating poses a serious fire hazard and could easily burn the driver’s hands during operation. This issue compromises driver safety because the steering wheel is an essential control part of the vehicle. If the driver’s hand is burned or the leather catches fire, it could result in loss of control of the vehicle. There were no warning messages or lights before or during the incident. The problem has occurred multiple times and can be reproduced when the heated steering wheel function is activated. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I believe this is a critical safety defect that should not occur under normal operation and could potentially affect other vehicles of the same model.
- Exterior lighting
The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) stopped working. The biggest hazard of DRL failure in a 2020 Defender is reduced daytime visibility to other drivers, which increases accident risk, especially in marginal light conditions. Also, in the Defender, DRLs are LED-based and integrated into the front…
The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) stopped working. The biggest hazard of DRL failure in a 2020 Defender is reduced daytime visibility to other drivers, which increases accident risk, especially in marginal light conditions. Also, in the Defender, DRLs are LED-based and integrated into the front lighting assembly. A failure could point to wiring, control module, or fuse issues. If ignored, these could eventually affect other lighting systems. The issue has been reported to JLR and I will be taking the car to the dealer for formal diagnostics and report.
- Exterior lighting
Mileage at time of failure: ~27,500 miles The signature LED headlamp assembly on my 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 X has experienced a failure of the integrated Daytime Running Light (DRL) module. The DRL has gone completely dark and is no longer functioning. This failure occurred shortly after the…
Mileage at time of failure: ~27,500 miles The signature LED headlamp assembly on my 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 X has experienced a failure of the integrated Daytime Running Light (DRL) module. The DRL has gone completely dark and is no longer functioning. This failure occurred shortly after the expiration of the factory warranty and affects a key visibility and safety feature of the vehicle. The only available repair, according to the dealership, is full replacement of the headlamp assembly at a cost of over $3,000. The DRL cannot be serviced independently. This is an unreasonable cost for a low-mileage vehicle and a safety-critical component. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting 2020–2022 Defender models, with numerous reports online from other owners citing identical DRL failures. This suggests a systemic design or quality defect in the headlamp assembly. A DRL failure undermines the vehicle’s visibility to other drivers and reduces safety during daylight driving. Given the high cost of repair and the frequency of reported failures, I believe this defect warrants investigation and potential recall action.
- Exterior lighting
The LED daytime running light failed on my vehicle and the dealer needed to replace the entire headlight unit. The manufacturer wanted to charge $2,500 for the replacement. There must be something faulty in the design of these headlights as out of 156 people I surveyed with Defenders, I’ve heard of…
The LED daytime running light failed on my vehicle and the dealer needed to replace the entire headlight unit. The manufacturer wanted to charge $2,500 for the replacement. There must be something faulty in the design of these headlights as out of 156 people I surveyed with Defenders, I’ve heard of 55 who have had this same issue, 7 who have had their daytime running light and headlight fail, 87 who have not had the daytime running light issue yet, and 7 respondents do not have the LED headlights and have not had their daytime running issue. This seems to be a manufacturer defect.
- Exterior lighting
The daytime running lights which also dim the overall lights at night, also known as the halo LED light continues to malfuction. I bought this car (2) years ago and I'm now on the second set up LED running lights. There are numerous other reports of this malfunctioning across owners. multiple…
The daytime running lights which also dim the overall lights at night, also known as the halo LED light continues to malfuction. I bought this car (2) years ago and I'm now on the second set up LED running lights. There are numerous other reports of this malfunctioning across owners. multiple online forums. this overall poses a large saftey hazard as the light is very dim at night from it not running, also including the daytime light casuing saftey issues for other cars.
- Structure › Body
2020 Land Rover Defender with air intake snorkel was detached from the vehicle driving down the highway during a windy day. I see that Land Rover has recalled the snorkel for 2023 and 2024 models for that very reason. The recall should include 2020 models as well! I've noticed that there are many Land Rover Defender owners talking about this same issue online.
- Exterior lighting
This is a 2020 Land Rover Defender 110. The daytime running lights on the headlamp need replaced. I had replaced the passenger side a few months ago at the Land Rover dealership while the car was still under warranty at 49,500 miles. Now, the Land Rover has 55k miles and the driver side has gone…
This is a 2020 Land Rover Defender 110. The daytime running lights on the headlamp need replaced. I had replaced the passenger side a few months ago at the Land Rover dealership while the car was still under warranty at 49,500 miles. Now, the Land Rover has 55k miles and the driver side has gone out and the Land Rover Dealer has quoted me 3K to fix this. This is a common problem and many owners with the years 2020-2023 are experiencing the same problem. This should not be happening with LED lights with such low mileage on the Defenders. This is a safety issue and this model should be recalled. Yes, the dealer has confirmed the problem with the daytime running light on the headlamp. There were no warning lamps or messages with this failure.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11011721Engine Oil and Filter Change
- 11011496Near Field Sensing Module (NFSM) Wired Updates
- 11011495Customer could be left with a vehicle that can not be unlocked or the engine started as a result of a depleted battery State of Charge.
- 11011050Diagnostic Trouble Code Stored In The Powertrain Control Module
- 11011049Diagnostic Trouble Code Stored In The Powertrain Control Module
- 11011048Roof Opening Panel Not Operating as Expected
- 11011035Front / Rear Door Latch - Silicon Contamination Causing Doors To Not Operate As Expected
- 11011026MIL lamp on the instrument cluster. FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE INOPERATIVE
- 11010319Near field sensing module (nfsm) wired updates
- 11010316Door Zone Module - Quiescent Drain
- 11010313Steering Gear Noisy - Request For Information
- 11010312Steering Gear Noisy - Request For Information
- 11010268Fuel Pump Driver Module Inoperative
- 11010266Customer may report a concern with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto function after recent updates to their mobile device.
- 11010198MIL lamp on the instrument cluster
- 11010197Oil filter housings installed on Ingenium I6 3.0L Diesel and Ingenium I6 3.0L Petrol engine variants, manufactured during a specific period, may crack causing a possible high pressure oil leak.
- 11008692Clicking Ticking Noise from Front Axle While Turning Left or Right and Full Lock at Low Speeds
- 11008691Fuel Pump Driver Module Inoperative
- 11008643Near Field Sensing Module (NFSM) Wired Updates
- 11008641Door Zone Module - Quiescent Drain
- 11008625A customer may report that the windshield wipers stop up on the windshield when turned off.
- 11008614'Stop Safely Electrical Fault Detected' warning message on the instrument panel.
- 11008611A concern has been identified where certain vehicles are failing to complete Software Over The Air (SOTA) updates, specifically Vehicle Domain Controller (VDC) PIVI and Gateway Module A (GWM). These vehicles have now been stopped from further SOTA attempts and require a wired intervention. A software update to the TCU and GWM is required
- 11008457Software Updates
- 11008456Software Updates
- 11008450Rear Doors Difficult To Open
- 11007459Door Zone Module - Quiescent Drain
- 11007423MHEV DCDC internal failure with warning message
- 11007417Front/Rear Door Latch Silicon Contamination Causing Doors To Not Operate As Expected
- 11007185Electrical system fault on instrument cluster or noise from engine.
- 11006127A potential concern has been identified where customer could be left with a nonfunctioning vehicle as a result of a depleted battery State of Charge due to the door modules staying awake. Retailers will perform a software update to all door modules
- 11006124Improvements to SOTA (Software Over The Air) capability.
- 11006121Customer could be left with a vehicle that can not be unlocked or the engine started as a result of a depleted battery State of Charge. The risk is increased if the vehicle is left for a period of time without driving or the daily Drive Cycle is low mileage and may not sufficiently recover the battery. The customer may experience Low Battery Warning.
- 11006115When opening either of the rear doors, the door seal contacts the rear quarter window and makes opening the doors more difficult and sometimes noisy.
- 11006104Certain vehicles are experiencing split/damaged accessory drive belts and worn/damaged accessory drive belt tensioners and pulleys, resulting in abnormal noises coming from the engine bay.
- 11006072Low coolant light on or smell of coolant from engine area.
- 11006064Pivi sota - fault diagnos IS and resolution
- 11003819Door Zone Module - Quiescent Drain
- 11003804Software updates
- 11003770A customer may report that the vehicle loses steering power assist after starting the vehicle from static.
Every Land Rover Defender model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.