← New search

2022 Land Rover Defender

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Defender years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 72 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2026
Exterior Lighting

DRL Halo failure/driver side: I own a business, and am on the road driving throughout the day. I have had at least 3 incidents where other drivers have pulled out in front of me, in which I believe was due to the DLR Halo failure. I was also stopped by a Traffic Officer because he thought it was a full 'headlight' failure. I …

Read full complaint

DRL Halo failure/driver side: I own a business, and am on the road driving throughout the day. I have had at least 3 incidents where other drivers have pulled out in front of me, in which I believe was due to the DLR Halo failure. I was also stopped by a Traffic Officer because he thought it was a full 'headlight' failure. I had to explain to him that the DLR Halo failure is a KNOWN issue to Land Rover and that the core headlight still works. Safety Issues: Reduced Visibility: DRLs make your vehicle easier for oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists to see during daylight hours, especially in overcast weather or glare conditions. A daytime running light (DRL) failure on a vehicle like the Land Rover Defender primarily reduces your truck's daytime visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a collision. Stats: Daytime running lights (DRLs) reduce multi-vehicle daytime traffic accidents by about 5% to 15%, depending on the specific study and crash type.Key Reduction StatisticsGeneral Multi-Vehicle Crashes: A major meta-analysis shows a 10% to 15% reduction in multi-party daytime accidents for cars using DRLs. A Monash University study found an 8.8% reduction in non-nighttime multi-vehicle crashes.Head-On and Opposite-Direction Collisions: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that DRLs reduce opposite-direction daytime fatal and non-fatal crashes by 5%.Vulnerable Road Users: NHTSA data indicates a 12% reduction in daytime pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in single-vehicle crashes, and a 23% reduction in daytime fatal crashes between a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle.Specific Fleet/Manufacturer Studies: General Motors and independent evaluations typically estimate a general crash reduction of over 5% in urban and mixed environments. While I am driving a 2022 Defender with a DLR Halo defect, Land rover is directly putting me at 5 to 15% greater risk of injury, SBI injury or death.

NHTSA ODI #11759228

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2026
Exterior Lighting

Component and System Failure: The front headlamp assembly's internal LED Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) circuit board failed prematurely. The component is not available for inspection upon request, as the failed headlamp assembly is currently still installed on the vehicle. Safety Risk: The sudden loss of the DRL severely reduces t…

Read full complaint

Component and System Failure: The front headlamp assembly's internal LED Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) circuit board failed prematurely. The component is not available for inspection upon request, as the failed headlamp assembly is currently still installed on the vehicle. Safety Risk: The sudden loss of the DRL severely reduces the vehicle's forward visibility (conspicuity) to oncoming traffic and pedestrians during daytime, overcast, and low-light conditions. This defect directly compromises federally mandated lighting safety standards, significantly increasing the risk of a front-end or intersection collision because other motorists cannot see the vehicle approaching. Confirmation and Inspection: The problem has been confirmed by a Land Rover dealership. The vehicle and component have been inspected by the manufacturer. The dealership technician confirmed the internal module burned out and stated the only remedy is a full headlamp replacement. Prior Symptoms and Warning Lamps: There were absolutely no warning lamps, error messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The DRL went completely dark without warning on July 30, 2026 at approximately 41,476 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11757376

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2026
Exterior Lighting

The DRL a safety feature fails on the Defender L663 models 20-23 and LR will not fix. I have 40k miles on my 22. They want $3200 for a headlight but to me its a safety offering for daytime running lamps. Looks how many reporting it.

NHTSA ODI #11757349

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2026
Exterior Lighting

Left front running light is not working. This type of issue prevents car from passing a State inspection. Issue is a halo DRLs failed. Issue is due to a failed LED module. The repair for this $40 module by the dealer is around $2,400. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms. A Police officer stopped me in a parking lot…

Read full complaint

Left front running light is not working. This type of issue prevents car from passing a State inspection. Issue is a halo DRLs failed. Issue is due to a failed LED module. The repair for this $40 module by the dealer is around $2,400. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms. A Police officer stopped me in a parking lot and pointed it out. It is not an infraction since it was daylight. However, car will not pass an inspection.

NHTSA ODI #11756967

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2026
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

My vehicle is losing power from the battery showing battery needs to recharge and its full charged have to turn interior lights off

NHTSA ODI #11752159

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2026
Exterior Lighting

The LED DRLs failed in the first 28000 miles leaving no DRLs. Researching this issues shows it it a known defect but not considered a safety issue. I disagree as visibility is greatly diminished without the lights. Numerous online complaints and LRJ reuses to compensate owners out of warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11729202

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2026
Exterior Lighting

Daytime running lights has failed on the front headlights and follows pattern similar to known Special Service Message 75479. This reduces safety due to lower visibility since the DRLs should operate during normal driving conditions. I have reached out to the dealer and the Land Rover Corporate, both of which refuse to fix the i…

Read full complaint

Daytime running lights has failed on the front headlights and follows pattern similar to known Special Service Message 75479. This reduces safety due to lower visibility since the DRLs should operate during normal driving conditions. I have reached out to the dealer and the Land Rover Corporate, both of which refuse to fix the issue unless I pay for parts and labor (est cost $5000+). This issue is dangerous since there is no indication on the dashboard or other warning unless the headlights are manually inspected while the vehicle is operating.

NHTSA ODI #11721527

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2025
Air BagsBack Over PreventionExterior Lighting

The Daytime Running Headlights have gone out once again. This is such a common issue with the Land Rover Defenders yet, the manufactures force the customers to pay $3000 to $5000 to replace. Police will pull you over for this issue ask they think you headlight is completely out.

NHTSA ODI #11705756

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2025
Exterior Lighting

I own a 2022 Land Rover Defender and the front lights have both burned out. The issue is the running day lights burn out and the ONLY fix is to replace the entire headlight. The cost of replacing the headlight is over $3,000 and has happen to both headlight in my 3+ year old car. This is a safety issue because the running day…

Read full complaint

I own a 2022 Land Rover Defender and the front lights have both burned out. The issue is the running day lights burn out and the ONLY fix is to replace the entire headlight. The cost of replacing the headlight is over $3,000 and has happen to both headlight in my 3+ year old car. This is a safety issue because the running day light need to be used in order to property see the vehicle and use the turn signals. I have spoken to the dealership and looked online in Land Rover forums and this is a very common problem. I'm requesting a recall on the headlights for the Defender and also recommend that their should be a fix that does not cost over $3,000 when a simple LED has burned out. Thanks for your Athenian to this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11677456

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2024
Exterior Lighting

The headlight/daylight running lamps are known to burn out on these. Mine has burnt out and wont go back on. These are LED's where the LED is not going bad but the LED assembly is getting too hot and burning itself out. This is know issue with LandRover (they even have a special service bulletin [XXX] ) but they are not fixing t…

Read full complaint

The headlight/daylight running lamps are known to burn out on these. Mine has burnt out and wont go back on. These are LED's where the LED is not going bad but the LED assembly is getting too hot and burning itself out. This is know issue with LandRover (they even have a special service bulletin [XXX] ) but they are not fixing the problem on vehicles but forcing customers to simply buy new headlights at their expense. Upon further review online, there are hundreds of complaints about this same issue. Land Rover is replacing if under warranty but leaving everyone else to pay approximately $5,000 for a new headlight. This is not only unsafe but irresponsible for them to not step up and make a fix of this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11608230

Official recalls

5

26V389000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jun 12, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

26V248000 · Electrical System:propulsion System:dc/dc Converter

Apr 17, 2026

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 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the 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.

23V044000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication

Feb 2, 2023

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 & remedy

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.

22V523000 · Seat Belts:pretensioner

Jul 21, 2022

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 & remedy

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.

21V435000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Jun 8, 2021

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

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.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

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.

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.