← 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

What owners actually said

72 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2023
Exterior Lighting

Vehicle daytime running lights burn-out prematurely, after about a year or two. Common issue - Land Rover often will replace the entire headlight only for the lights to burn out again. This is happening so often Land Rover headlamps are months back-ordered. See this thread: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM …

Read full complaint

Vehicle daytime running lights burn-out prematurely, after about a year or two. Common issue - Land Rover often will replace the entire headlight only for the lights to burn out again. This is happening so often Land Rover headlamps are months back-ordered. See this thread: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11551146

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2023
Visibility/wiper

Crack in windshield appeared without any impact. Crack began at top middle of windshield, in a perfectly straight ling for about 5 inches, then continued as an irregular line across the driver's viewing area, impairing visibility. Crack occurred after washing the vehicle on a hot day. There was no impact to the glass. Just wate…

Read full complaint

Crack in windshield appeared without any impact. Crack began at top middle of windshield, in a perfectly straight ling for about 5 inches, then continued as an irregular line across the driver's viewing area, impairing visibility. Crack occurred after washing the vehicle on a hot day. There was no impact to the glass. Just water.

NHTSA ODI #11548095

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Windshield cracked and was replaced and has now cracked again. No apparent impact noticed. Not covered under warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11538815

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

There were two separate issues. First was the battery dying once 4 months after purchase and again about 12 months after purchase. Both times we were lucky we were not out and about 4 wheeling like we normally do. Second is very recent about 18 months after purchase. Both the coolant feed and return lines to the turbo were lea…

Read full complaint

There were two separate issues. First was the battery dying once 4 months after purchase and again about 12 months after purchase. Both times we were lucky we were not out and about 4 wheeling like we normally do. Second is very recent about 18 months after purchase. Both the coolant feed and return lines to the turbo were leaking bad. O2 sensor came up faulty, as well as PCV diaphragm. This about the 4th serious issue we’ve had with this car. I expected this upon purchasing but got one anyways to try it out for off-roading. More to come soon!

NHTSA ODI #11533865

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2023
Visibility/wiper

Windshield cracked spontaneously. No rock strike or evidence of chipping. Appears to originate upper right windshield cross to driver side. No accidents, impacts, or other damage. Heat stress (very hot sunny day) and spontaneous fracture. This impedes optimal visibility.

NHTSA ODI #11530032

8,000 miles · May 25, 2023
Visibility

The contact owns a 2022 Land Rover Defender. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the front windshield cracked without impact. The crack had formed underneath the camera location. Additionally, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the roof rack was moving. Additionally, the decal on the inside of the front window w…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2022 Land Rover Defender. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the front windshield cracked without impact. The crack had formed underneath the camera location. Additionally, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the roof rack was moving. Additionally, the decal on the inside of the front window was vibrating while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #11523857

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2023
Unknown Or Other

For the second time in 3 months my windshield was hit by a small pebble and developed a large crack that requires replacement of the windshield. Of all my years of driving I have never had a windshield crack due to a rock on the highway. As mentioned above this is the 2nd time in 3 months. Based on the numerous reports of simila…

Read full complaint

For the second time in 3 months my windshield was hit by a small pebble and developed a large crack that requires replacement of the windshield. Of all my years of driving I have never had a windshield crack due to a rock on the highway. As mentioned above this is the 2nd time in 3 months. Based on the numerous reports of similar incidents it appears that the Land Rover Defender windshields are defective and/or not safe.

NHTSA ODI #11522951

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2023
Visibility/wiper

Got into vehicle and noticed a crack on the lower part of the windshield stemming from below the wiper. No impact to any the windshield itself. Crack seems to have spontaneously occurred.

NHTSA ODI #11514232

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2023
Electrical SystemService BrakesCrash

I purchased a 2022 V8 after waiting about a year to get the vehicle. It mostly has been a good car until recently. I was pulling into my garage, which has a downhill grade, and there was ice on the surface of the driveway and subsequently slid into the corner of my garage going no more than 3-5 mph. Quarter size dent on the bump…

Read full complaint

I purchased a 2022 V8 after waiting about a year to get the vehicle. It mostly has been a good car until recently. I was pulling into my garage, which has a downhill grade, and there was ice on the surface of the driveway and subsequently slid into the corner of my garage going no more than 3-5 mph. Quarter size dent on the bumper, no big deal… I thought. Tried to reverse away from the garage and the car wouldn’t move. All of the warning lights appeared. I was able to finally get it to reserve but every time I would put it into drive from there, the parking brake would turn on and the brakes would lock up. I had it towed to a Land Rover dealership and apparently the entire ABS module has faulted. They ordered a new one and installed it only to find out that it still isn’t working properly. Land Rover says this isn’t covered by warranty as it isn’t a manufactures defect. I’ve now had to spend $10k and still don’t have a fully functioning vehicle. How could a $110k “off road machine” be put to a stand still due to a quarter size dent incident in the bumper, let alone the ABS module is located in the engine bay! Incredibly frustrating and can’t wait to get it fixed and sel it; if I can even get it fixed properly. I am taking it to another Land Rover dealership in town as the other one seemed incapable of figuring it out. Land Rover USA has been horrible to work with and I am now driving a vehicle with a vibrating sensation in the brakes and maybe 50% of the normal braking power.

NHTSA ODI #11502902

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2023
Tires

Driving 65 mph on interstate and heard loud noise. Tire warning light showed air pressure loss. AAA changed tire. AAA mechanic stated he believed the cause of the rear driver side tire failure was a side wall blowout. Tire size: Pirelli 255/60 R20 113V M+S Quatro Scorpion Zero

NHTSA ODI #11502669

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.