2020-2024 · P300 2.0 Petrol / D250 3.0 Diesel MHEV
The new Defender is Land Rover's most technologically advanced off-roader, blending luxury with capability. Built on a modern monocoque platform with aluminum body, it's a radical departure from the old agricultural Defender. While more reliable than most JLR products with a 14% owner-reported fault rate, complexity brings vulnerabilities: Pivi Pro infotainment freezes frequently, LED headlight rings fail prematurely (€2,000+ each), and battery drain is common if not driven weekly. The 3.0 diesel D250/D300 MHEV is smoother and more robust than the troublesome 2.0 Ingenium engines. Air suspension models have electronic shock wiring issues. Two security recalls issued in 2024 for theft prevention. Extended warranty strongly recommended.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€2,400 - €4,200/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€1,400-2,200
Risk buffer
€1,000-2,000
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
Pivi Pro infotainment black screen freezeFree (warranty) - €1,200
Screen goes black at startup, requires reset or 15-20 minute wait · more· less
This is a widespread glitch affecting thousands of JLR owners since Pivi Pro launched in 2020. The main touchscreen occasionally doesn't turn on when starting the vehicle, leaving you without navigation, climate controls, or reversing camera. Holding the phone button (2024+) or volume knob (pre-2024) for 10 seconds usually resets it. If that fails, turn off the car, lock it, and wait 15-20 minutes. JLR has released multiple software updates attempting to fix this, with mixed results. Some owners report needing to reset multiple times per week. Under warranty it's free, but hardware replacement costs around €1,200 if the touchscreen itself fails.
LED headlight DRL ring failure€400 - €2,300
Signature LED halo rings fail prematurely, especially 2020-2022 models · more· less
The LED daytime running light signature ring fails on 2020-2022 Defenders, often on both sides. Dealers replace the entire headlight assembly at €2,000-2,300 per side plus labor and programming. Aftermarket LED repair modules are available for €400-600 per side, but require disassembling the headlight to access the LED strip. One owner documented both DRL failures under warranty: driver's side in February 2024, passenger's side in June 2024. Newer 2024+ Defenders seem to have resolved this issue with improved components.
12V battery drain (sits unused)€200 - €800
Battery dies within 7-10 days if not driven or connected to trickle charger · more· less
The Defender draws significant parasitic current when parked due to multiple electronic modules staying awake. The main 12V battery (hidden under front passenger seat) can drain flat within a week of inactivity. MHEV models have additional complexity with a 48V lithium battery and DC-DC converter. In some cases, a faulty NFSM module (camera/sensor controller) caused overnight battery drain until replaced. The smart alternator only charges when demanded, and the Battery Management System needs resetting after battery replacement. Drive the car weekly for at least 30 minutes, or keep it on a quality trickle charger. Battery replacement costs €200-300, but tracking down electrical faults can cost €500-800 in diagnostic time.
Air suspension shock wiring failure€400 - €1,200
Rear shock wires twist at upper mount, eventually break causing suspension error · more· less
Only affects air suspension L663 models. At each rear upper shock mount, the wires can twist tightly if the shock shaft rotates, indicating the mount may be loose. Eventually the wires break and trigger suspension error messages. Check for twisted wires at the shock mounts during inspection. Repair involves tightening the shock mount and replacing damaged wiring, with labor intensive due to location. Some cases required replacing the entire electronic shock module. Spring suspension models don't have this issue. Cost depends on whether just wiring or complete shock replacement is needed.
Only relevant if considering the older 2.0L D200 diesel (not the 3.0 D250/D300). The 2.0 Ingenium diesel has well-documented timing chain issues caused by oil dilution from incomplete DPF regenerations. The tensioner bleeds pressure overnight, resulting in 1-30 seconds of rattle on cold starts. Typically occurs between 60,000-100,000 km. If ignored, chain skip causes catastrophic valve/piston contact requiring engine replacement (€10,000-12,000). Replacement of chain, guides, tensioner, and sprockets costs €2,500-4,500. More frequent oil changes (every 5,000-10,000 km vs manufacturer's 16,000 km) and ensuring complete DPF regeneration cycles help prevent this. The 3.0 D250/D300 six-cylinder diesels are much more robust with updated timing chains.
Incorrect plastic spec causes housing to crack and leak oil onto hot engine · more· less
Affects 2023-2024 Defenders with six-cylinder diesel (D200/D250/D300/D350) and six-cylinder petrol (P400) engines. Incorrect plastic specification used in manufacturing the oil filter housing can cause it to crack over time, resulting in pressurized oil leaking onto hot engine components and increasing fire risk. This is recall N908 affecting 599 vehicles. Dealers replace the filter housing, oil filter, and o-rings free of charge. Check with Land Rover using your VIN to verify recall completion.
Door latch mechanism failure€150 - €400
Can't lock vehicle, or door opens even after central locking activated · more· less
Common JLR issue affecting the Defender. The door latch mechanism is a sealed unit that cannot be repaired, only replaced with genuine Land Rover parts (€150-200 per door). Symptoms include inability to lock the vehicle, or being able to open a door even after activating central locking. The latch on the body itself may also need adjustment if it's been pushed inward from repeated door slamming. DIY adjustment is possible by loosening the body latch and moving it outward approximately 2mm at a time.
DPF regeneration failure (diesel)€800 - €2,500
Incomplete regen cycles from short trips cause DPF blockage and oil dilution · more· less
All diesel Defenders have a Diesel Particulate Filter that requires regeneration - burning off accumulated soot by reaching high exhaust temperatures. Passive regen happens naturally during motorway driving (50-70 mph for 25+ minutes). If the vehicle only does short trips, active regen occurs where extra fuel is injected to raise temperatures. However, if you shut off the engine mid-cycle, or do too many short trips, the DPF clogs. Amber DPF light means failed regen; red light with "Exhaust Filter Full Visit Dealer" means blocked. Worse, unburnt fuel from active regen dilutes engine oil, causing timing chain and turbo failures if oil isn't changed annually. Forced DPF regeneration with OBD tool costs €150-300. Cleaning or replacing a blocked DPF costs €800-2,500. Drive at least weekly on motorways to prevent this.
ZF 8HP transmission rough shifting€300 - €8,000
Harsh shifts at low speeds, often fixable with software update · more· less
The ZF 8HP automatic is generally reliable, but some Defenders exhibit rough shifting at low speeds, hesitation under acceleration, or occasional "Gearbox Fault Detected" errors. Many cases are software calibration issues resolved by dealer updates (€200-400). However, aggressive driving clogs valve body solenoids with friction material, and aluminum planetary gear components can fail under high loads. One owner faced €8,000 for a new gearbox at the dealer, but found a ZF specialist offering overhaul for €4,000. Most issues appear within the first 60,000 km. Test drive for 20+ minutes including varied speeds and ensure gearbox gets to operating temperature.
Windshield spontaneous cracking€800 - €3,400
Windshields crack spontaneously, design flaw with class action lawsuits · more· less
Multiple owners report windshields cracking spontaneously without impact, sometimes spreading almost fully across the glass. One 2024 Carpathian with under 7,000 miles experienced this. Dealer quotes run €3,000-3,400 for replacement, but windshields are frequently on backorder due to high breakage rates. At least one class action lawsuit has been filed over this known fragile design. Insurance may cover this depending on policy, but check your comprehensive deductible. Aftermarket windshields are available for €800-1,200 but may lack OEM sensors.
NFSM module overheating (2024)Free (recall)
Near Field Sensing Module overheats, disables 3D surround camera · more· less
Affects certain 2024 Defenders built September 8-11, 2023. Missing thermal interface material causes temperature differential between chips, forcing the NFSM to reset and preventing 3D surround camera and rearview camera images from displaying. This is a manufacturing defect in Bosch module M8E219J249AK. Recall N927 provides free NFSM replacement. One owner found a faulty NFSM was causing their battery to drain overnight until module replacement fixed it. Contact Land Rover at 1-800-637-6837 with VIN to verify recall status.
More reliable than most Land Rovers, but high-tech complexity brings costs
With a 14% owner-reported fault rate, the new Defender is one of JLR's better products. However, it's packed with technology that can fail expensively. The 3.0 diesel MHEV engines are robust; avoid the problematic 2.0 Ingenium. Many electrical issues are software-related and fixable with updates, but LED headlights and infotainment glitches affect a significant percentage of owners. Extended warranty is highly recommended given repair costs.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Land Rover dealer or authorized specialist records essential. Verify oil changes at proper intervals, especially for diesel models.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear patterns. Defender typically uses 18-22 inch wheels.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for timing chain rattle in first 30 seconds (diesel).
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and varied conditions to test all systems.
Software version
Check infotainment system for current software version. Older versions have more bugs.
Specific for this vehicle
Test Pivi Pro infotainment thoroughly
Start the car cold, verify touchscreen boots properly. Test all functions: navigation, climate, camera. Ask owner if they've experienced black screen issues.
Inspect LED headlight DRL rings
Turn on headlights and verify both signature LED halos illuminate fully and evenly. Partial or flickering rings indicate imminent failure (€2,000+ repair per side).
Battery health check
Ask how frequently the vehicle is driven. If parked for weeks at a time, check for low battery warnings. Test all electrical functions. Battery is under passenger seat.
Air suspension shock wiring (if equipped)
On air suspension models, inspect rear upper shock mounts for twisted wires. This indicates loose mounts and eventual wiring failure.
Check all recalls completed
Verify oil filter housing recall (N908) and NFSM camera module recall (N927) if applicable. Also check 2024 security enhancement recalls completed.
Door latch operation
Lock and unlock all doors multiple times. Ensure all doors remain locked after central locking, and all open/close smoothly without resistance.
DPF status (diesel models)
Check for any DPF warning lights. Ask owner about driving patterns - lots of short trips is a red flag for DPF issues. Verify annual oil changes.
Transmission operation
Drive for 20+ minutes to get gearbox to operating temperature. Feel for harsh shifts, hesitation, or jerking especially at low speeds. Check for gearbox fault messages.
Windshield inspection
Carefully inspect entire windshield for any cracks, chips, or stress points especially along edges. This is a known weak point.
Verify engine type
Confirm whether P300 (2.0 petrol), D250/D300 (3.0 diesel MHEV), or P400 (3.0 petrol MHEV). Avoid 2.0 D200 diesel if possible due to timing chain issues.
Third-row seatback latch - Defender 130 (2023)Verify if applicable
Touchscreen/rearview camera blank (2023-24)N972 - Software update
MHEV starter generator fail-safe (2023-24)TSB available
Contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837 with the VIN to verify all recalls and TSBs have been completed. Two security updates in 2024 are particularly important for theft prevention.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (Europe)3 years / unlimited km
Anti-corrosion warranty6 years from delivery
Paint surface warranty3 years from delivery
PHEV battery warranty (if applicable)6 years
Extended warranty available€2,000-3,500/year
All 2020-2021 Defenders are now outside factory warranty. Extended warranty is highly recommended due to high repair costs for electronic systems. Land Rover offers extended warranty only while original warranty is active or within one month of expiry. Independent warranty options also available.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.