2022 Land rover Defender problems
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.
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Common 2022 Land rover Defender problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Land Rover Defender 2022, common problems with this car include:
- Check Engine Light:
- Some owners have experienced the Check Engine light coming on, indicating potential issues with the car's engine or related systems. This warning light can signal various problems that require attention to ensure the vehicle's proper functioning.
- Battery Issues:
- Battery problems are a common concern, with symptoms like slow starting, corrosion on battery cables, and loud clicking sounds when turning the key. These issues can lead to unexpected breakdowns and difficulties in starting the vehicle.
- Door Latch Failures:
- The door latches on the Land Rover Defender 2022 are prone to failure, causing issues with locking the vehicle or activating central locking while still being able to open a door. This problem can compromise the security and convenience of the car.
- Sunroof Creak and Rattle:
- Some owners have reported sunroof creaks and rattles, which can be annoying and affect the driving experience. These noises may indicate underlying issues with the sunroof mechanism that need to be addressed by professionals.
- Voice Activation Button Malfunction:
- Malfunctions with the voice activation button have been noted by owners, potentially indicating software or hardware issues related to the car's technology features. This problem can affect the ease of use and functionality of the vehicle's voice control system.
- Gas Filler Door Malfunction:
- Issues with the gas filler door not working correctly have been reported, possibly due to mechanical faults or defects in the system. This malfunction can lead to difficulties in refueling the vehicle and may require professional attention to resolve.
These common problems with the Land Rover Defender 2022 highlight a range of issues that owners have faced, impacting various aspects of the car's performance, safety, and convenience. Addressing these issues promptly and effectively is crucial to ensure the optimal functioning and longevity of the vehicle.
Does the new defender have issues?
The New Defender is a very large, heavy vehicle with a lot of power, because of this, it is very heavy on brakes and can wear out a set of discs within 32,000 miles. It can wear out brake discs much faster than that too if brake pads are worn down enough to score the discs with their metal backing.
Are 2022 defenders reliable?
The 2022 Land Rover Defender has a predicted reliability score of 70 out of 100.
Is the new defender durable?
Land Rover designed it with durability as its key characteristic and, at the launch, claimed it to be the most capable off-road/road vehicle yet. This is achieved partly through the technology that allows the touch screen to be used to set up the car for most types of terrain.
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.
2022 Land rover Defender complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2022 Land rover Defender.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2022 Land rover Defender recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2022 Land rover Defender.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
- Summary: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2022-23 Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport and 2022 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, which can cause the seat belts to not properly restrain occupants.
- Consequence: Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N720.
- 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.
Negative 2022 Land rover Defender car reviews
Positive 2022 Land rover Defender car reviews
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I've had my Defender for 15 months and 16000 miles and I'm happy to report that I haven't experienced any mechanical issues whatsoever. Although I've encountered a few software glitches, they were easily resolved by resetting the system, much like turning your phone on and off when it acts up. The vehicle is not only comfortable and functional, but it also boasts great aesthetics. My only challenge is that I keep discovering new additions to enhance my driving experience, such as a roof rack, ladder, mud flaps, and more. I use it for off-roading as well as my daily commute, and I couldn't be more pleased with its performance.
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I've had my 110 SE for 2 months and have driven 5500 miles for construction site visits. I've already used the roof rack to haul a farm gate. It's quick, smooth, and agile. However, I've encountered a couple of problems: the passenger door pillar made a lot of noise, but they fixed it. The audio went out for a while, but eventually came back. The DTE gauge stopped working. I also have to hold the remote key fob right at the door handle to unlock the door. Shifting into reverse from sport is very complex, as you must shift into drive from sport before you can reverse. Additionally, the audio, climate, and nav controls are very hard to operate and feel clumsy after driving a Mercedes-Benz. Overall, though, I'm enjoying my experience with the 110 SE so far!
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I'm so glad to hear that you've had your defender for 6 months and it's been living up to its name! It's great to know that nothing has gone wrong with it so far and that it's been perfect for you. Thank you for sharing your positive experience!
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The vehicles I tested drove smoothly, looked great and caught my attention. The deal went well and off we were. A quarter of the way home, error messages for emergency braking and cruise control went off, and unfortunately, the cruise control was inoperable. This issue has been going on intermittently. The dealer has had the car for several days, but there is no news on how to fix it. They also discovered an oil leak while it was there. I'm quickly losing confidence in my new vehicle. However, after two separate one-week visits with the dealer and several failed efforts, they were finally able to iron out the issues, and the car is now working perfectly. After 2000 miles, the Defender is a beast. We've had tons of snow and horrible cold here in WI, but I'm pleased to say that the snappy engine performance, snow and ice performance, and sublime camera system are all great features. The only downside is that there is wind noise when traveling at 70 and above.
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I bought a 2022 Defender six months ago and I'm happy to say that it has been a great experience so far. The 3.0L 6 mild hybrid engine provides plenty of power and the SUV is solidly built. The 11.4in touchscreen is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate, and the recent over-the-air update has added wireless Apple CarPlay to the system. The Heads-Up Display is also pretty clear and adds to the overall driving experience. Although the angle of the windshield may cause chips from rocks on the road, this is a minor issue compared to the overall quality of the vehicle. I did have to change the windshield due to a couple of cracks, but this could be due to the unique engineering of this vehicle. The Fuji white exterior with black roof and graphics is stunning and definitely turns heads. I've received many compliments on the vehicle and I'm still pleased with my purchase after 1 1/2 years and 20k miles. Overall, I highly recommend the 2022 Defender to anyone looking for a reliable and stylish SUV.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2022 Land rover Defender problems:
2022 Major malfunctions - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover ...
Oct 26, 2021 ... 2020 Defender - 2022 Major malfunctions - Hi, curious what issues others are facing with poor build quality or malfunctions.
Everything That Went Wrong With Our 2021 Land Rover Defender 110
Oct 27, 2022 ... Air Suspension Fault · "Overheating" · Center-Rear Headrest Ripped · Rear Windshield-Wiper Fluid Jet Clogged · Stereo Glitch · Is the Land Rover ...
Land Rover Defender Reliability : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
Apr 11, 2022 ... Land Rovers in my experience are.... interesting. Some, like the LR3 are really underrated. They have some known issues, like the timing chain..
new defender reliability - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover ...
Mar 22, 2022 ... ... Land Rover reliability… So I've put a ... What are some known common problems? 3. I've read ... stillruns , 03-21-2022 10:00 PM. Pro Wrench.
Most Common Problems in Land Rover Defender Engine | by ...
Jul 5, 2023 ... The cooling system in Land Rover Defenders is critical for preventing engine overheating. Common problems include radiator leaks, water pump ...
Other years of Land rover Defender
Are you having problems with your 2022 Land rover Defender?
Javonte Larson 2025-09-17
I was really looking forward to the launch of the new LR Defender. I ended up purchasing a 2020 Defender S with lots of added features. The car itself is quite impressive, with its jaw-dropping size, impressive technology, and cool interior. However, after driving the car for a few thousand miles, I started to notice some issues. It's too big to fit into many parking garages, the heated windshield doesn't work, the fabric material on the seats was losing its color, and the pivi pro system is constantly showing imperfections. At first, the ride seemed impressive, but then the clunkiness of the car really started to bother me, especially around corners. It also gets a low 10-12mpg city and the best I ever got on the highway was 20mph, but I'd say the average was 17-18mph. Unfortunately, the car itself wasn't the only problem. LR service centers are quite difficult to deal with. Although I was aware of their reputation, I decided to take a chance and buy the car anyway. However, they scratched my car several times when it went to the shop and had to send it to detailing. They also took days to resolve issues that should have taken only an hour or two. They don't have any loaners, so you have to pay for a rental car if they have your car for over 24 hours. Overall, I would not recommend Land Rover/Range Rover to anyone. If you have an interest in buying this car, please do yourself a favor and join forums on Facebook. You will see just how poorly made this car is by all the problems people are reporting.
Oscar Weber 2025-09-16
I purchased my 2020 Defender HSE in September, and I've already put 3500 miles on it. The car is a joy to drive, with plenty of power, great visibility, and exceptional comfort. However, I have experienced a few issues, including noise from the right front pillar at speeds over 60 mph, a radio system failure, and frequent warning messages about emergency braking and steering, as well as occasional messages about cruise control. Additionally, the auto-dimming feature is not working, even after a visit to the dealer for repair. While I understand that some issues are to be expected with a new generation car, I expected more from LR and RR. My dealer has informed me that they are seeing similar issues from other customers, which is concerning. Overall, I am still very happy with my purchase and look forward to seeing these issues resolved soon.
Jakob Hagenes 2025-09-11
This car has been a great investment for me, however, I have experienced some issues with the battery. After less than 200 miles, the 'low battery' alarm appeared and the car wouldn't start. I took it to the dealer and after 2 weeks, they found a faulty module for the central screen that was draining the battery. Although the car drove fine for a while, the issue happened again and this time they said it was the battery. Unfortunately, it has happened again recently and I have had to spend some time driving a loaner. Despite these setbacks, I still love my car and believe it is worth the investment.
Gerardo Cassin 2025-08-17
Negative reviews of any vehicle are more common due to standard human psychology to complain when there is a problem and to say nothing when everything works as expected. However, I am confident that the vast majority of the thousands of new Defenders are working perfectly fine, or at least well enough that their owners are not posting about glitches. In my case, I have been driving my 2020 Defender for 10K miles daily for 9 months without any issues requiring a return to the dealer. Although, like many others, I have experienced an electrical issue. It is worth noting that this is my third Land Rover, and I have never had any major electrical gremlins in the past. The issue only occurs when the vehicle is driven for at least two hours and is restarted after a short stop. Upon restart, the lower controls (which control ventilation and air-conditioning among other things) and the door controls do not work. However, this issue goes away if you allow the vehicle to sit turned off for over an hour, presumably allowing the bad component to cool. To date, it has only happened twice, but when it does, it's a biggie. The vehicle is currently in my local dealer where it has been for about a week and a half as JLR engineers speculate on the issue. Despite this issue, I am still confident in the Defender's capabilities and look forward to taking it on a 5,000 mile trip next month.I am confident that the engineers will correctly diagnose the issue with my vehicle before the deadline. Despite the current setback, I remain excited about this wonderful and extremely capable vehicle. It is a minor issue that can be resolved, and I am certain that it will not affect the overall performance of the vehicle.
Otho Jacobson 2025-07-14
The design of these cars is always great, and they have a lot of charm. We have had our Defender HSE P400 for about two months and have driven less than 2000 miles. The front and rear seats are very comfortable, and there is lots of space in the second row. However, the access to the trunk could be better, as the door is quite small if you need to load a long box or luggage. It could have been a bit more spacious without having to sacrifice the back seat leg space by sliding the bench forward. The visibility is not the best, as you are quite sunken in, and you would expect bigger windows from a Rover. The alpine windows are purely aesthetic. The third-row seat is very sacrificed, nothing like LR4... probably I wouldn't order them if I saw them before ordering it. The acceleration lag is close to two seconds delay, and then all of a sudden, power kicks in, and you are propelled forward abruptly. Passengers are not happy, but the driver can at least hold the steering wheel. Our car has several issues with adaptive cruise control, sat radio touch screen, lane keep adjust, energy-saving stop-start, and sunroof, all of which are either not working or working intermittently, which is very annoying. The brakes, if applied too sharply, have a bad noise and vibrate through the pedal, which is not a good feeling. The interior trim of one door fell off, and some trim in the trunk was installed halfway and is very cheap and light plastic, especially for a car that should be It may sound crazy, but this is my experience. I've been in this process for a month and a half now, and I'm not sure if I'm happy with this car. My 2004 Discovery had fewer problems, and at least the doors didn't squeak even after 100K miles. The doors in the Defender are quite loud. Although we would expect some issues with a new car, I can't say I'm a happy customer, so I can only give it 2 stars.