2023 Land Rover DEFENDER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2023 Land Rover DEFENDER has 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: the media screen will randomly go blank so you can not see your navigation map, radio information or any other data that the screen should show. the dealer told us to press the door lock twice and wait several minutes before restarting. very unsafe if emergency is occurring and you do not have acces.

101

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

37 complaints

37%

• The media screen will randomly go blank so you can not see your navigation map, radio information or any other data that the screen should show. The dealer told us to press the door lock twice and wait several minutes before restarting. Very unsafe if emergency is occurring and you do not have acces
• The Centre Cluster dims a dusk and is not visible to the driver
• the lighting on the 2023 Defender 110 is not adequate, particularly at dusk and in the evening. The brightness control does not adjust for the brightness needed to see gauges. This is a safety risk.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The media screen will randomly go blank so you can not see your navigation map, radio information or any other data that the screen should show. The dealer told us to press the door lock twice and wait several minutes before restarting. Very unsafe if emergency is occurring and you do not have acces”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

13 complaints

13%

• When stopped at stoplight engine gear slips to neutral without warning. When applying gas it becomes apparent it’s no longer in drive. Has happened 8 plus times and I’ve had this new car less than 2weeks. Reported to dealer who tells me 2 other customers have reported this as well. No one is sure wh
• The 2023 Land Rover Defender said emissions fault and died in 4 lanes of busy traffic. This has happened since the first few miles but usually happens in a parking lot. The Defender also throws itself into neutral while in drive. This has happened multiple times and the car has less than $10k miles.
• 1.) Coolant turbo lines leak coolant. Causing the engine to overheat. It is recommended by the dealer to replace the two(2) o-rings and bypass hose assembly. 2.) This is a high risk this can cause risk of an engine fire in addition to major damage to the engine. 3.)The Land Rover Dealer (Annapolis,

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“When stopped at stoplight engine gear slips to neutral without warning. When applying gas it becomes apparent it’s no longer in drive. Has happened 8 plus times and I’ve had this new car less than 2weeks. Reported to dealer who tells me 2 other customers have reported this as well. No one is sure wh”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

13 complaints

13%

• I have had to replace my windshield 3 times in a matter of a few months. In the case of my last two windshields, I was able to drive for only 2 days before it cracked. In all cases they started as small rock chips, always within a few inches of the exterior edge. I have had rock chips in the past w
• Front windshield stress fractured after being parked in cold weather following a long drive with the windshield defroster on. It has been replaced and is not available for inspection. Safety was put at risk due to an obstruction in visibility Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed, but anecd
• Defective windshield. Windshield randomly cracked after no impact or visible damage.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I have had to replace my windshield 3 times in a matter of a few months. In the case of my last two windshields, I was able to drive for only 2 days before it cracked. In all cases they started as small rock chips, always within a few inches of the exterior edge. I have had rock chips in the past w”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

10 complaints

10%

• When driving the new 2023 vehicle with 956 miles we got a lane keep malfunction dialogue box pop up on digital instrument cluster. At the same time the power steering ceased to work or the lane keep fought to keep it centered even when trying to make maneuvers to stay in lane of traffic, navigate tu
• The power steering failed and the car was not drive-able. The warning light for no lane assist available also turned on. The vehicle was in-operable and left us stranded. This would have been a much bigger issue in the winter time, or if I was not at my home. I contacted Land Rover, who had me c
• Dec 6. Started vehicle and steering wheel would nor move. All functions of car worked. Fwd, rev, engine running , lights all worked. Turned off and restarted 3 times and steering wheel still not moving. All of a sudden wheel became free. I worry now if this could happen while driving. Light did come

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“When driving the new 2023 vehicle with 956 miles we got a lane keep malfunction dialogue box pop up on digital instrument cluster. At the same time the power steering ceased to work or the lane keep fought to keep it centered even when trying to make maneuvers to stay in lane of traffic, navigate tu”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

7 complaints

• When driving the new 2023 vehicle with 956 miles we got a lane keep malfunction dialogue box pop up on digital instrument cluster. At the same time the power steering ceased to work or the lane keep fought to keep it centered even when trying to make maneuvers to stay in lane of traffic, navigate tu
• The power steering failed and the car was not drive-able. The warning light for no lane assist available also turned on. The vehicle was in-operable and left us stranded. This would have been a much bigger issue in the winter time, or if I was not at my home. I contacted Land Rover, who had me c
• Dec 6. Started vehicle and steering wheel would nor move. All functions of car worked. Fwd, rev, engine running , lights all worked. Turned off and restarted 3 times and steering wheel still not moving. All of a sudden wheel became free. I worry now if this could happen while driving. Light did come

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 101 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: The media screen will randomly go blank so you can not see your navigation map, radio information or any other data that the screen should show. The dealer told us to press the door lock twice and wait several minutes before restarting. Very unsafe if emergency is occurring and you do not have acces
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: When stopped at stoplight engine gear slips to neutral without warning. When applying gas it becomes apparent it’s no longer in drive. Has happened 8 plus times and I’ve had this new car less than 2weeks. Reported to dealer who tells me 2 other customers have reported this as well. No one is sure wh
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: I have had to replace my windshield 3 times in a matter of a few months. In the case of my last two windshields, I was able to drive for only 2 days before it cracked. In all cases they started as small rock chips, always within a few inches of the exterior edge. I have had rock chips in the past w
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: When driving the new 2023 vehicle with 956 miles we got a lane keep malfunction dialogue box pop up on digital instrument cluster. At the same time the power steering ceased to work or the lane keep fought to keep it centered even when trying to make maneuvers to stay in lane of traffic, navigate tu
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)