Defender (L663)
Engine Reliability Ratings
AJ120
3.0L 6-cyl / 395 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
AJ133 S/C
5.0L 8-cyl / 518 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
AJ120 i4
2.0L 4-cyl / 296 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Land Rover Defender Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Mild Hybrid
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender
That's about 3.4x the typical rate for mild hybrids in this dataset (median 4.0 per year). Above peer average — but high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints, so check the issue mix below before drawing conclusions.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 93 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2022] DC to DC converter failure that displays a RED warning indicator that says "Stop Safely Electrical Fault Detected" with a red battery indicator symbol displayed simultaneously. I called the dealer as this is the 3rd time I have experienced similar electrical issues that have left me stranded since my purchase of this truck new Jan '22. The dealer brushed me off the first time telling me I didn't
- [2022] Electrical fault detected - pull over safely error message appeared while driving, and when vehicle was shut off, low battery warning appeared. Started vehicle and attempted to put in drive and failed with drivetrain error, then suspension error and power steering error. Replaced 12V battery next morning and still received electrical fault error. Towed to dealer and diagnosed with DC-DC converter
- [2022] On January 25, 2026, while driving my 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 in Colorado on Interstate 70, the vehicle suddenly and completely lost power with no warning. There were no dashboard alerts, warning lights, or messages prior to the failure. The vehicle abruptly became disabled while traveling at highway speed, creating an immediate and serious risk of a crash, severe injury, or death to myself a
High-Voltage Battery
- [2022] Electrical fault detected - pull over safely error message appeared while driving, and when vehicle was shut off, low battery warning appeared. Started vehicle and attempted to put in drive and failed with drivetrain error, then suspension error and power steering error. Replaced 12V battery next morning and still received electrical fault error. Towed to dealer and diagnosed with DC-DC converter
- [2022] 8/25/2023 18,118 miles, vehicle purchased. Warranty 48 months or 50,000 miles. Factory warranty remaining 31 months or 31,905 miles. 1/8/2024 26,536 miles, L Headlight failure, electric door lock malfunction, air suspension failure. Headlight = warranty replacement. Service Department = no solution, diagnostic code or replication of electric lock or suspension issue. 3/26/2024 30,285 miles,
- [2022] On [XXX], while driving approximately 30 mph, my vehicle displayed the warning “STOP SAFELY – ELECTRICAL FAULT DETECTED.” I immediately pulled over and restarted the vehicle, but the warning reappeared. Due to safety concerns and proximity to my home, I cautiously continued driving. Two blocks from my residence, I stopped briefly and received a message stating “BATTERY LOW – PLEASE START ENGINE.”
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2023] The DC to DC converter Failed. It is part of the mild hybrid system. Multiple cars in my state and globally have reported the same failure around the same time. Supposedly these failures are due to the cold weather. At the 1st start up of the day a warning message displayed "Stop safely Electrical fault detected" the it disappeared after 1minute. After the 2nd start up the message reappeared and s
- [2023] DC Converter for Hybrid system malfunction with complete battery discharge rendering the vehicle inoperable while utilizing. Lucky that the occurrence occurred in low traffic area! Unable to move vehicle onto flat bed truck because of electrical controlled gears. Unable to secure vehicle because of electrical controlled door locks. Replacement product on back order -estimate at least 6 weeks.
- [2023] The vehicle experienced an electrical fault and shortly after receiving the warning on the dash, the vehicle completely lost power in the middle of traffic. The dealership has told me that the hybrid battery and DC converter both need to be replaced, but the DC converter is on indefinite back order. Based on information I’ve learned from others and I’ve heard from the dealership, Land Rover has be
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2022] Electrical fault detected - pull over safely error message appeared while driving, and when vehicle was shut off, low battery warning appeared. Started vehicle and attempted to put in drive and failed with drivetrain error, then suspension error and power steering error. Replaced 12V battery next morning and still received electrical fault error. Towed to dealer and diagnosed with DC-DC converter
- [2022] 8/25/2023 18,118 miles, vehicle purchased. Warranty 48 months or 50,000 miles. Factory warranty remaining 31 months or 31,905 miles. 1/8/2024 26,536 miles, L Headlight failure, electric door lock malfunction, air suspension failure. Headlight = warranty replacement. Service Department = no solution, diagnostic code or replication of electric lock or suspension issue. 3/26/2024 30,285 miles,
- [2024] The component that failed appears to be the DC-DC converter and/or related charging system within the vehicle’s electrical system, which resulted in complete failure of the 12-volt battery system. The vehicle displayed a dashboard warning stating: “Electrical fault detected. Please find a safe place to stop.” Shortly after this warning appeared, the vehicle lost electrical stability and the 12-v
Charging System
- [2023] An electrical component called the DC DC converter failed in my 2023 Land Rover Defender. I discovered the failure after starting the car after work. A warning that the battery was not charging presented itself. I didn't think it was a major issue and could be something reset easily. I was able to get the car home safely but shortly after the car was completely non functional and could have po
- [2024] Repeated failures of the 48v to 12v DC to DC converter. Failure to charge the 12v system results in an complete drain of the 12v battery in under 30 mins while operating the vehicle. The result is an immediate shut down of the vehicle. In my case, while in the middle of a travel lane. Without 12v power the vehicle cannot be shifted into neutral and cannot be moved creating a very unsafe situation.
- [2023] An electrical component called the DC DC converter failed in my 2023 Land Rover Defender. I discovered the failure after starting the car after work. A warning that the battery was not charging presented itself. I didn't think it was a major issue and could be something reset easily. I was able to get the car home safely but shortly after the car was completely non functional and could have po
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Land Rover Defender regardless of engine variant.
Alternatives in Off-Road SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender problems?
The 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender has accumulated 229 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Exterior, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Land Rover Defender engine is most reliable?
The 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender a good used car?
The 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 229 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender have?
The 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender has 229 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender?
There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Land Rover Defender?
Before buying a used Land Rover Defender, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Exterior, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
Does the Defender have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 229 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.