NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 5 recalls and 64 owner complaints for the 2022 Land Rover Defender.
The 2022 Land Rover Defender generates complaints concentrated in two areas: the electrical system and visibility-related equipment. On the electrical side, owners frequently report DC-to-DC converter failures, which several describe as triggering cascading problems including 12-volt battery drain, alternator issues, and loss of systems that depend on secondary power. Low-battery warnings appearing during normal use, sometimes while the vehicle is simply idling, come up across multiple reports. Visibility complaints center on the LED daytime running lights, with owners reporting early failure, in some cases before 30,000 miles, leaving the front of the vehicle without functioning DRLs. Exterior lighting accounts for a notable share of complaints as well, with front lighting hardware being the recurring subject. The DC-to-DC converter and DRL failures are the two most consistently described hardware problems in this model year's complaint set.
64
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2022 Land Rover Defender has 5 recalls, the most serious being a blocked engine oil channel that can cause an oil leak and a fire risk, and a mild-hybrid electrical fault that can cut drive power without warning.
The oil leak and the loss of drive power represent the two highest-severity concerns. On the engine side, a blockage in the cam carrier oil channel allows oil to escape onto hot engine components, where it can ignite. The mild-hybrid system issue involves a DC-to-DC converter that can fail and cut power to the drivetrain, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate when the driver needs it.
Two recalls cover occupant protection. The front seatbelt pretensioners in the driver and passenger positions may be damaged and unable to pull the belt tight in a crash, reducing how well the seatbelt holds the occupant in place. Separately, the driver's airbag clockspring connector, the rotating electrical link between the steering column and the airbag, can corrode and prevent the airbag from deploying in a crash.
The fifth recall applies only to Defender X trim vehicles fitted with smoked rear light assemblies. A voltage spike triggered by a bright light shining directly on the rear of the vehicle can knock out the brake lights, turn signals, and taillights simultaneously, making the vehicle nearly invisible to drivers behind it and removing any indication of braking or turning.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The driver's air bag clockspring connector can corrode over time, potentially preventing the air bag from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver's air bag connector terminals to prevent corrosion.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The DC-DC converter can fail due to a faulty boost control microchip. This failure stops the 12-volt charging system and can cause loss of engine power and exterior lights.
What the fix does
The repair procedure is being developed. Owners will receive notification letters starting June 12, 2026, with repair details to follow.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cam carrier oil channel may become blocked, potentially causing oil to leak from the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the engine cam carrier and replace it and related parts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, preventing the seat belts from properly restraining occupants in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt assemblies as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A voltage spike triggered by bright light hitting the rear can cause the turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights to stop working on certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles with smoked rear light assemblies.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.