2020 Land rover Defender problems

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The Land Rover Defender (initially introduced as the Land Rover 110 / One Ten, and in 1984 joined by the Land Rover 90 / Ninety, plus the new, extra-length Land Rover 127 in 1985) is a series of British off-road cars and pickup trucks. They consistently have four-wheel drive, and were developed in the 1980s from the original Land Rover series which was launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show in April 1948. Following the 1989 introduction of the Land Rover Discovery, the term 'Land Rover' became the name of a broader marque, and thus no longer worked as the name of a specific model; thus in 1990 Land Rover renamed the 90 and 110 as Defender 90 and Defender 110 respectively. The 127 became the Defender 130.

The vehicle, a British equivalent of the Second World War derived (Willys) Jeep, gained a worldwide reputation for ruggedness and versatility. Using a steel ladder chassis and an aluminium alloy bodywork, the Land Rover originally used detuned versions of Rover engines. The original Defender is still being produced in developing countries despite the arrival of the Land Rover Defender (L663).

Though the Defender was not a new generation design, it incorporated significant changes, compared to the series Land Rovers, such as adopting coil springs front and rear, as opposed to all leaf springs on the previous; except for retaining rear leaf springs on high capacity (payload) models. Coil springs offered both better ride quality and improved axle articulation. Adding a lockable centre differential to the transfer case gave the Defender permanent (on-road) four-wheel-drive capability. Both changes were derived from the Range Rover, and the interiors were also modernised.

Externally, a full-length bonnet and full-width integrated grille and headlights, combined with (finally) a single-piece windscreen, plus widened wheel arches that covered new, wider-track axles were the most noticeable changes. Initially the engineering department conserved a part-time 4WD system, like on previous models, but it failed to sell, and this option was dropped in 1984. While the engine was carried over from the Series III, a new series of modern and more powerful engines was progressively introduced.

Even when ignoring the series Land Rovers and perhaps ongoing licence products, the 90/110 and Defender models' 33-year production run were ranked as the sixteenth longest single-generation car in history in 2020.

In 2020, Jaguar Land Rover introduced the first all new generation of Land Rover Defenders, switching from body on chassis to integrated bodywork and from live, rigid axles to all around independent suspension. While starting at a higher base price, the new model brought significant improvements to on road dynamics over the old model, air suspension is available on most trims. The range was originally limited to just two wheelbase lengths before a third, the Defender 130, was announced in 2022. The new Defender series is only available in closed, estate car bodies.

2020 Land rover Defender

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Common 2020 Land rover Defender problems

Common Problems with the Land Rover Defender 2020

Air Suspension Fault - One of the most common problems reported by Land Rover Defender 2020 owners is an intermittent "Suspension Fault" message that pops up in the central driver display. This fault not only displays a warning but also locks the vehicle in its current ride height, disabling the air suspension controls. According to the owner's experience, the issue was caused by a software glitch, which was later resolved through an over-the-air (OTA) update.

Overheating - Another issue reported by the owner is a brief "overheating" warning that appeared on the dashboard during a highway drive. The vehicle's cooling hardware was mechanically sound, and the issue was likely caused by bad software. This issue, too, was resolved through an OTA update.

Rear Windshield-Wiper Fluid Jet Clogged - The Defender's rear wiper sprayer stopped spraying due to a clogged washer jet. The dealership attempted to fix the issue but did not reassemble the system properly, resulting in a puddle of wiper fluid underneath the vehicle. The problem was eventually resolved after the dealership resecured a hose.

Stereo Glitch - The front-left speaker of the Defender randomly stopped working one afternoon, mid-song. The issue was likely caused by bad software, and it was resolved through an OTA update the next day.

Electrical Gremlins - The Defender is known to have electrical issues, including warnings about the active safety systems being unavailable. These warnings would appear intermittently, even when the adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist were not in use. The issue was not resolved during the owner's loan period, and it is unclear whether Land Rover addressed the problem later.

Water Pump Pulley Drive Belt - The water pump pulley drive belt is at risk of becoming damaged, leading to detachment or destruction. This issue is common in used Land Rover Defenders, and it is recommended to check the belt's condition when purchasing a used vehicle.

Exhaust Downpipe Fixings - The fixings connecting the exhaust downpipe to the catalytic converter may not have been tightened to the specified torque value. This issue affected 4002 vehicles in the 2020 and 2021 model years, and it was resolved through a recall.

Front Seat Belt Pretensioner Tube - A damaged front seat belt pretensioner tube may have been installed on the seat belt retractor. This issue affected 2981 vehicles in the 2021 and 2022 model years, and it was resolved through a recall.

Engine Electrics - In the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, engine electrics saw the largest fault rate (8.0%) in the Land Rover Defender. This issue is a common concern among used Land Rover Defender owners, leading to frequent dealer visits and dissatisfaction with the cost of repairs and warranty claims handling.

Infotainment System - The Defender's infotainment system is another area of concern for used Land Rover Defender owners. Frequent dealer visits and dissatisfaction with the timeliness and effectiveness of repairs have been reported, suggesting room for improvement in customer service and support.

2020 Land rover Defender engine

What is the common problem of Land Rover Defender?

Land Rover Defenders may encounter fuel system issues such as clogged fuel filters, fuel pump failures, or injector problems. These issues can lead to poor engine performance, stalling, or even complete engine failure if not resolved promptly.

Is the Land Rover Defender reliable?

- The car has remained completely reliable. My main grumble has been with the stainless steel wheels which have corroded consistently - a cosmetic rather than safety concern (I'm reassured by Land Rover). These have been dealt with under warranty - but why not just make steel wheels that don't corrode?

Is Land Rover Defender expensive to maintain?

Land Rover Maintenance Costs

Land Rover models average around $18,569 for maintenance and repair costs during their first 10 years of service. This is more than the industry average for luxury brands by $6,525. There is also a 41.71% chance that a Land Rover will require a major repair during that time.

Why has Land Rover stopped making the Defender?

The inability for it to comply with more modern safety regulations and market demand for a more luxury rather than completely utilitarian vehicle. Originally Answered: Why is Land Rover Defender discontinued? If you are talking about in the U.S. , it is because the Defender didn't meet the new crash standards of 1998.

2020 Land rover Defender car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Land rover Defender problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Exterior lighting problems
  • Engine problems
  • Visibility/wiper problems
  • Steering problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Land rover Defender vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2020 Land rover Defender

The NHTSA has received 33 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Land rover Defender. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2020 Land rover Defender vehicles.

2024-04-16

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-12
  • VIN: SALEX7EU6L2
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: Daytime running light failure. Making vehicle difficult to see. Dealer lists and a knows issue and and flagged as a safety concern. But refuses to repair or rectify the problem. And wants to charge over $4000 for a safety item.
2024-02-22

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-22
  • VIN: SALE97EU0L2
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: My car does not fall under the VINs specified in recall N599 but is exhibiting the same unsafe conditions. At a rolling stop in traffic the car asks me to manually select a gear (while in Drive) and then shuts off the engine. The engine then will not restart and I am in unsafe conditions in intersections. I have brought the car to the dealership several times to resolve this and it continues to worsen. It has become a daily event and is now back at the delaership where they have told me it is not affected by this recall but clearly exhibits the same issue as described in that recall. This is a MAJOR SAFETY issue! The car shuts off without warning and wont restart. This is engine electrical system and transmission related. It drains the battery and leaves the car inoperable
2024-02-07

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-06
  • VIN: SALE9EEU3L2
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
  • Summary: The rear backup camera is foggy and it is not possible to see clearly while backing up. It is foggy in any weather condition, during the daylight, and at night. There are halos around lights at night in addition to the general fogginess.
2024-01-11

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-12-22
  • VIN: SALE9EEUXL2
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: Daytime running lights stopped working with no warning signs or notifications, reducing visibility.. Has been confirmed by independent service center. Circuitry in headlight is known to fail causing the daytime running light to stop without warning
2023-09-30

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-09-28
  • VIN: SALEJ7EX3L2
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
  • Summary: 2 windshields cracked within a 2 month period. Second windshield cracked about 45 days after installation with no evidence of any impact causing it. One morning I came out to my vehicle and there was a 6-8 inch crack starting at the bottom of the windshield. Have driven the same roads for 30 years and have never had issues with windshields and now 2 in a couple of months.
2023-09-13

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-22
  • VIN: SALE17EU4L2
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Windshield cracking for no reason Many occurrences in owners forum. Class action lawsuit filed. Manfature doing nothing. Windshields need to be redesigned .
2023-07-20

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-03-22
  • VIN: SALE1EEUXL2
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: Large clunking sound with shuddering of the vehicle during a turn at low speeds. Inspection revealed cracked transfer case and differential damage which could lead to loss of control of vehicle. Had part repaired at Land Rover, again malfunctioned after 1000 miles with shuddering and "skipping" of rear tires during turns. Aware of two other malfunctions of transfer case with instability during turns.
2023-05-19

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-05-19
  • VIN: SALEK7EX8L2
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: The "cone of light "projected forward by the headlights is too narrow. When turning right or left from one dark road onto another dark road, one cannot determine if it is safe to turn. The light cone is blocked by the escutcheon around the headlight, which are set inward too deep. In addition, the light intensity of the main beam is insufficient for proper night driving on dark roads, Note:this car was one of the first deliveries in the US. The dealer was not aware of lack of fog lights on vehicle and beam width problem.
2022-12-12

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-12-10
  • VIN: SALEJ7EX1L2
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: 255/60R20
2022-11-01

VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-10-14
  • VIN: SALEP7EU3L2
  • Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
  • Summary: My 2020 Defender has had three incidences of the windshield cracking due to the smallest pebble. The first two cracks, I had professionally sealed. The latest incident involved a pebble so small that I couldn't see it. In fact, the pebble was so tiny that a point of contact on the windshield can barely be observed. However, it caused the windshield to crack clear across the middle, impairing visibility and creating an unsafe driving experience. This is, I believe, the seventh Land Rover windshield that I have had the misfortune to have crack on me over the years. One Range Rover windshield cracked while sitting in the driveway with no projectiles involved. Another cracked in cooler overnight weather. These windshields are clearly defective and Land Rover is aware of the problem. This is why the dealership offers a very pricey windshield package as an option when you purchase the vehicle. I have called Land Rover corporate again in this instance because I'm fed up with paying $1800 to repair a defective bit of glass, only to have another crack appear and be forced to repair or replace that as well. Land Rover Corporate said that a pebble constituted "outside damage" and the windshield would not be covered under warranty. However, a driver does purchase a car under the presumption that the glass would be safe if struck by a tiny object or if taken through a car wash--as occurred with my previous Range Rover. Taken together, I do request that this consumer safety board review this issue as I know for a fact that I am not the only one concerned about the safety and reliability of the Land Rover windshields. Regards, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2022-09-15

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-08-21
  • VIN: SALEP7EU5L2
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: Driver's side A Pillar trim came loose at 75 mph on freeway and blew off the side of the car. Also pulled out mounting bolt for A Pillar Trim.
2022-05-09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-05-08
  • VIN: SALE97EU7L2
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: Engine light came on while at a stop light, engine faltered completely and car stalled. Would not restart. Shifted car into Park and tried multiple times to restart, finally got it restarted. Rolled forward per the flow of traffic and engine died again in the middle of the intersection putting me directly in harm’s way. Multiple lights including engine light and dash warnings appeared. Pictures attached. This is a major safety issue, the car died and I could not move it forward. I was almost hit and could not get the car restarted, not once but twice. I have owned the car for less than one week, and it’s been back in the shop now twice. The first time ( Wednesday) was also for electrical issues, including sensor issues.
2022-03-03

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-03-03
  • VIN: SALEXEEU4L2
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Hello! My 2020 P400 Defender is repeatedly not restarting itself at stoplights when the standard auto start/stop functionality engages. Upon removing my foot from the brake pedal to begin moving, what normally happens is thst the engine restarts itself and I drive off as normal. However, at least once or twice a day now, the car does not restart itself, the instrument cluster turns off, and I look down in the car has put itself into Park. I am stopped in traffic etc. This is a somewhat significant fault in my opinion - because it has now happened at busy intersections, highway on ramps, and other places where you do not want people aggressively honking or worse hitting you from behind if they are distracted. I thought perhaps I just needed a software update or something, but my car is confirmed to be on the newest Land Rover software systems for everything in the car. I have not taken it to the dealer for this problem yet (no appts avail) but will be taking it in later this month. The reason I decided to submit this to you is that I went on a Defender group on Facebook, and there are many posts on there with other people in the United States having the exact same problem. With both P300 and P400 engines in Defenders. So I believe this may be a fault with software or hardware (and not just an isolated issue with my Defender… which by the way is my favorite car I’ve ever owned!) — that needs to be rectified with some sense of urgency with Land Rover. Also, my novice testing of why and when this is happening has concluded one workaround that I believe prevents the issue: if I press the button on the dash to turn off the auto start/stop, this problem does not occur. However, the car defaults to auto start/stop being on at each ignition cycle - so that would need to be something that users would need to remember to do each time they started the car.
2022-02-26

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-02-25
  • VIN: SALEJ7EX6L2
  • Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: I was driving at a speed of 66 miles when the engine died, the cluster showed a red triangle and showed an alarm setting message. Steering wheel vibrate and I could not moved. This event last around 3 seconds and the alarm disappeared and the engine came back.
2022-01-09

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-11-30
  • VIN: Salepeeu1l2
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: This happenedtwice after the most recent update(os 3.0). When i turned on my vehicle and engaged drive, power steering was disabled and/or locked. Im not sure which it was, but steering the vehicle was not possible, for several seconds, until it resolved itself.
2022-01-04

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-01-04
  • VIN: SALEPEEU9L2
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: Steering wheel locked and I was unable to drive the car. Tried to start and restart but the steering wheel is locked and a safety hazard for me.
2021-11-04

LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-06-01
  • VIN: sale97eu0l2
  • Components: LANE DEPARTURE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Defender. The contact stated that the lane departure feature would intermittently fail to operate as needed without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would independently deviate in the opposite direction as intended. The contact also stated that the lane deviation feature could be turned off; however, the feature was reactivated upon restart of the vehicle. The dealer had been made aware of the failure on multiple occasions and the contact was informed that there was no remedy for the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
2021-10-02

VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-08-07
  • VIN: SALEK7EX2L2
  • Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
  • Summary: Driving along the road with no cars around, the windshield made a loud noise and a crack was formed coming from the passenger side A-pillar. The crack of course grew over time. No rock chip. Clearly a defective windshield. The dealer would not replace it under warranty even though it clearly started where a rock could not have chipped it..
2021-09-29

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-09-20
  • VIN: SALEJ7EX7L2
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: My front windshield cracked to the point of requiring replacement with neither notice nor reasonable cause (no impact, no crack starting point, besides the bottom edge, no temperature gradients, no pressure applied to the windshield).
2021-09-20

VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-08-18
  • VIN: SALEJEEX6L2
  • Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
  • Summary: My windshield cracked with no apparent strike with under 5K miles on the vehicle. Researching this, LOTS of people experience broken windshields on Defenders and Land Rover products. There are lots of discussion in online owners' forums about the frequency of this and some notion that JLR uses glass that is thinner than other manufacturers.
2021-08-17

VISIBILITY,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-07-03
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: salep7eu0l2
  • Components: VISIBILITY,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Land Rover Defender. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into two mailboxes but the vehicle kept driving down a curved road onto the left lane. The brakes had failed to engage. The contact did not receive medical attention on the scene but later went to the hospital for injuries sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard then towed to a body shop where it remained. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred after receiving the vehicle back from the dealer. 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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,434.
2021-08-01

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-07-24
  • VIN: SALEK7EX8L2
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: Much like the current recall N598 for the smoked rear lights. My rear lights (standard P300) red lensed lights can be turned off when a bright light is shone on the rear red lenses. Not only does it turn off the lights, it also disables the brake lights. I have been to the dealer and they believe it is a software problem (which it clearly is not) It has not been inspected by anyone else There are no warning lights that pop up when the rear lights or brake lights go out, so the only way to check is a visual check. The only way to turn them back on is to turn off the ignition and turn back on again.
2021-07-14

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-07-14
  • VIN: SALEX7EU7L2
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: The rear lights of the 2020 Defender 110 go out when hit with a bright light from behind. The issue can be duplicated with a flashlight as well. Lights from a following car will extinguish all the rear lights on the Defender, including brake lights (the slender brake light on the top of the vehicle, above the rear window still works, but none of the other lights work, including running lights, brake lights, and turn signals). This is a known problem with Land Rover, but there is no solution. They are expecting a software update sometime in the fall that may remedy this known issue.
2021-07-03

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-07-01
  • VIN: SALEX7EU0L2
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: I sell car parts and accessories online through my website powerfulUK.com and I have sold a quantity of smoked rear lights for the Defender 2021 models to the USA. These lights are fitted as an upgrade to the standard lights as they are smoked/tinted. These smoked lights are the subject of a recall N598 Land Rover has refused to notify or replace the lights sold to customers even though this is a popular upgrade and known issue. I think recall N598 should oblige Land Rover to notify all customers who have purchased the smoked lights as an upgrade to their standard model. See attached EMail from Land Rover head office
2020-12-25

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-12-24
  • VIN: SALE1EEU5L2
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: ON THE 2020 LAND ROVER DEFENDER, A KNOWN PROBLEM IS A RATTLING SOUND OF THE PASSENGER SIDE A-PILLAR. LAND ROVER POSTED A BULLETIN ON HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE AND I BROUGHT IT FOR A FIX IN NOVEMBER, BUT THE SOUND PERSISTED. YESTERDAY WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WERE HEAVY CROSS WINDS AND THE A-PILLAR FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC BUT DID NOT HIT ANYONE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE ENGINEERS NEED TO FIX THIS.

2020 Land rover Defender recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2020 Land rover Defender.

2023-02-02
  • Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
2021-07-29
  • Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
  • Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
  • Summary: 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, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
  • Consequence: 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.
2021-06-08
  • Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
2021-06-03
  • Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.

Negative 2020 Land rover Defender car reviews

  1. Ezekiel Nicolas 2024-10-16

    The car has been driven for 20m and experienced some issues. Despite its good appearance, it has proven to be a dud with numerous problems, particularly related to the software. Connectivity issues, such as difficulty connecting to a phone, are just some of the endless issues. Additionally, the engine jumps hard when parking, despite being automatic.

  2. Furman Lubowitz 2024-09-17

    This vehicle has some areas that require improvement, such as the engineering and infotainment system. Wind noise is also an issue. Additionally, there are errors present in the infotainment system and low coolant levels on the main console. Some door rattling has also been reported. The build quality could be improved and the ride is stiff. However, it is important to note that these issues can be addressed and should not necessarily deter potential buyers from considering this vehicle.

  3. Niko Hansen 2024-08-19

    We are thrilled with our brand new 2020 Defender! However, we want to inform potential buyers that there may be some delays in obtaining parts in the USA. Unfortunately, we have experienced this firsthand with a cracked tail light cover that we have been waiting for over 30 days to receive. We understand that Land Rover is prioritizing parts for new Defenders, which has caused some frustration for existing customers. Despite this, we remain loyal to the brand and hope that they will find a solution to this issue soon. We believe that with their reputation for quality and innovation, Land Rover will continue to be a great choice for anyone in the market for a new vehicle.

  4. Edward McLaughlin 2024-07-18

    If you want to turn heads, you need to be able to drive the car. Unfortunately, this vehicle has proven to be inconsistent and unreliable, which is disappointing considering the manufacturer's reputation. I regret my decision to purchase this car and would advise against making the same mistake. Be wary of fake reviews and do your research before making a purchase.

  5. Brycen Shields 2024-06-16

    Hey there! Just wanted to give you a heads up about Land Rover's windshields. I've noticed that they seem to be a bit thinner than usual. I've had to replace my windshield three times already in my Defender since September 2020, even though I haven't done any offroading or driven on gravel roads - just suburban and highway driving. It's definitely frustrating, and I know that Land Rover is aware of the issue, but unfortunately they haven't addressed it yet.

Positive 2020 Land rover Defender car reviews

  1. Fern Erdman 2024-11-09

    I've been driving my 2020 Defender HSE for a month now and it's been an amazing experience! The car strikes a perfect balance between its utilitarian side and its great features, making it a joy to drive. It's definitely my favorite car so far! As a long-time LR fan, I was initially skeptical when the new Defender was released. However, after doing my research and test driving it, I decided to lease one and I'm so glad I did! The interior is incredibly intuitive and well-designed, with tons of storage and thoughtful touches like the volume knob being positioned for the passenger's convenience. I've had very few issues with the car, and any minor glitches with the Infotainment system were quickly resolved through over-wire software updates. The over-wire updates are a great feature, allowing for new features to be added without having to go to the dealership. Plus, with only one service/oil change required during my 3-year lease, it's incredibly convenient. Overall, I'm thrilled with my 2020 Defender 110 HSE and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and stylish car.My only complaints, honestly, are that I wish I had the premium sound system (base Meridian isn't the best out there), more legroom in the 3rd row, the diesel hybrid in the U.S. (better gas mileage), and that the middle seats would fold all the way flat if you have the third row (this is possible in LR4s) - ideal for car camping. Despite these small gripes, I'm definitely planning to purchase the truck after my lease ends. Also, it's important to note that you often hear from a handful of people who seem to have lemons or early build issues or problem cars. I can only share my experience, and I have a friend who also purchased a 2021 Defender 110 last year and has had zero issues with it and loves it.

  2. Sonny Stamm 2024-10-20

    Everything has been patched since I bought the car 1.5 years ago. This is a great vehicle, it's a blast off road and has great pick up on the highways. I love going car camping and skiing with it too (although I wouldn't recommend getting the full leather).

  3. Lance Price 2024-09-21

    Before the actual launch, I wasn't a fan of the exterior, especially the front end. However, after checking it out in person, I must say it looks great! The interior is sleek and modern, with a mix of durable and comfortable materials such as cloth, leather, metal, and soft rubber. The 400 hp & torque engine does an excellent job of moving this 5,000 pound beast, and the ZF 8-speed transmission handles the power well with smooth shifts. I haven't experienced any acceleration lag, unlike other turbos, and the supercharger and mild hybrid system probably help offset any turbo lag. The brakes are large and do a good job of stopping the Defender quickly. The on-road ride is smooth, even with the factory all-terrain tires, and the soundproofing is very good. Visibility is good all around, and the rear mirror with back camera view works well when the rear storage area is full. The infotainment/navigation system is clean, easy to use, and responsive. The front and rear seat legroom is great, but the third-row legroom is very, very tight, made for kids only. You can move the second row forward for some additional third-row room if needed. Headroom is great in all rows. In summary, the looks and performance are much better than expected, and I am very happy with this purchase. However, I do realize it is a Land Rover and the first year for this model, so I assume some bugs may pop up along the way. But after test driving one and reading the positive online reviews, I didn't want to wait another year or two.

  4. Scot Reinger 2024-09-10

    I love jeeps, but I was looking for something a bit more luxurious, and this car is amazing! I would recommend it in a heartbeat. It's the best car I've ever been in!

  5. Elliot Homenick 2024-06-18

    Your vehicle sounds amazing! It's great to hear that you've had such a positive experience with it. From what you've said, it seems like it's the perfect fit for your needs. It's always tough to decide between different models, but it sounds like you made the right choice. It's also great to hear that you're using it to its full potential. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2020 Land rover Defender problems:

Tracking Defender issues - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover ...
Tracking Defender issues - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover ...
https://landroverforums.com/forum/2020-defender-60/tracking-defender-issues-108915/

Oct 27, 2021 ... My 2020 Defender 110 has has the windshield wind noise A-column cover falling off problem, a windshield that cracked for no reason, slow-to- ...

2020 Land Rover Defender is a Nightmare | Expedition Portal
2020 Land Rover Defender is a Nightmare | Expedition Portal
https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/2020-land-rover-defender-is-a-nightmare.233849/

Jul 20, 2022 ... I entered into a lease on a 2020 Defender about 14 months ago. The car was sitting in my driveway when the telematics module (Part ...

Defender 2020 concerns - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover ...
Defender 2020 concerns - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover ...
https://landroverforums.com/forum/2020-defender-60/defender-2020-concerns-118583/

Aug 30, 2023 ... The early-production units with problems are fairly common. Even Toyota had issues with the new Tundra and Sequoia. I bet will also happen ...

2020 Land Rover Defender - Issues : r/LandRover
2020 Land Rover Defender - Issues : r/LandRover
https://www.reddit.com/r/LandRover/comments/ptvlkr/2020_land_rover_defender_issues/

Sep 23, 2021 ... There is an issue with the FICM software which manages infotainment and Wi-Fi. Might need a dealership to perform the Pivi recovery program with ...

Everything That Went Wrong With Our 2021 Land Rover Defender 110
Everything That Went Wrong With Our 2021 Land Rover Defender 110
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2021-land-rover-defender-110-yearlong-review-update-6-reliable/

Oct 27, 2022 ... Just as with our phantom air suspension issues, our Defender also had a brief "overheating" issue. On one not abnormally warm June morning ...

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Defender 2021
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Defender 1993
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