2023 Land Rover Defender Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Defender, so we've included reviews for other years of the Defender since its last redesign.
Proceed with Caution
DBM6858, 07/15/2020
2020 Land Rover Defender 110 P400 First Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
220 of 225 people found this review helpful
We've had ours since June 8. After 8 days, the Check Engine light went on. Land Rover then had the car for 9 days The dealer determined that three mechanical faults set the light off, but the mechanical faults were non-existent; it must have been a software issue that caused the light to come on. Land Rover (the dealer, in consultation with engineers from Land Rover USA on the east coast and Land Rover England) cleared the Check Engine light but never determined what software issue set it off in the first place. We then got the car back, Land Rover having had it for a longer period of time than we did. About a week later, Sirius went out. It comes in and out intermittently, and we have an appointment to have that fixed, but we can't get in to the dealer until the end of July. While waiting for that appointment, the Check Engine light came on again. I'm anticipating another long stint with a loaner. We love the car reliability issues aside, but those reliability issues are quickly moving it into Lemon Law land.
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Dead on the 3rd day- LR took care of me
Joe M, 04/29/2021
updated 11/08/2021
2021 Land Rover Defender 110 P300 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
94 of 96 people found this review helpful
Bought a new 2021 Defender X. Pretty awesome until the morning of day 3 with ~500 miles on the odometer, all safety systems failed along with a gearbox failure at 80 mph on the interstate. It barely allowed me to get to safety. The out of town dealer repaired and gave it back only to have it fail again the next morning. Of course this is in the middle of important meetings as well. It remains at the out of town dealer now 8.5 days of the first 11 I have owned it. The dealer who sold it wont talk with me and customer care scheduled a call in two weeks. I have remained surprisingly calm in the face of all this, but as an engineer and technology developer I am a bit embarrassed I bought the car knowing Land Rover's reputation for reliability. I never thought I would be so disappointed with a $91,000 new car. Update.... The 2021 Defender was pronounced dead after 100 days and an incredible effort to repair it. Land Rover customer care worked hard to find and deliver a new 2022 Defender. Its exactly what I was hoping for, refined and rugged. The lemon experience has left me cautious but it is an awesome vehicle and excellent support. I kept my Rubicon just in case.
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2020 DEFENDER LEMON
DISSAPOINTED BUYER, 05/10/2021
2020 Land Rover Defender 110 P400 HSE 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
103 of 106 people found this review helpful
Let's start about this vehicle. Looked great I bought it then first week I had issues with the Infotainment not working and no sound coming out. I called dealer and they said a software update is needed. Month 2 same issues now the rear door seals come undone and air coming in door while driving as it is not properly sealed. I take the vehicle to dealer and they tell me its a design flaw and they are going to try and correct. Month 3 Ac unit not working take it back in Land rover tells me that the ac hose has a leak in it and they are going to replace it including another update to the software system. Month 6 emergency steering and braking system not working light comes on as well as coolant level low light. Also car dies on me at stop light and won't move while in drive, Have to restart and almost get rear ended. Dash & infotainment go out at night while driving on highway and turn back on a minute later. Month 7 Take to dealer they keep it for over 10 days Infotainment going out while driving, car taking a while to accelerate, car still shutting off while in gear and dropped it off at landcover dealer again and they give it back saying it was a software issue and also putting double sided tape to hold on rear seals on door. Drove vehicle home had for 1 week same issues car died again at intersection wife & daughter almost get rear ended took the vehicle back again and yet to get any calls from land rover. . I filed a case in April 26,2021 with Land Rover I have yet to hear from anyone regarding these issues of car being a lemon. I was told first that someone was reviewing my case then heard today no one has even looked at my case. I have made several attempts and yet get no responses. This vehicle has safety issues and they need to address it.
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Not so great .. full of glitches
Yalaska, 03/04/2021
2020 Land Rover Defender 110 P400 HSE 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
101 of 105 people found this review helpful
I’ve spent a small fortune on this car Less than 200 miles in and the “low battery” alarm popped up and the car wouldn’t start. The car was taken to the dealer to find out after 2 weeks that there’s a faulty module (for the central screen) that keeps draining the battery The car drove fine for a while .. then it happened again .. this time they said it was the battery And now it happened again (car won’t start with low battery alarm) The car has 4K miles on it in 5 months and I love it But if you buy it then be prepared to spend a significant amount of your time driving a loaner
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Great car; too bad they can't build it
swbones, 03/30/2021
2020 Land Rover Defender 110 P400 HSE 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
62 of 64 people found this review helpful
My 2020 Defender HSE was delivered in October 2020 and I immediately had issues. Within the first week I had a coolant warning issue, low battery issue multiple times and, best of all, windshield wipers that would not turn on. Yes, I have a video of the wiper incident but LR has told me they don't need to see it. I never took the car in hoping that the monthly (and they do appear to be monthly) software updates will address all these issues. Then it got worse. Now the car shuts off while driving and I lose all throttle response. Fortunately it restarts, but it is pretty dangerous. I was at a red light last week and the car died as I pulled into the intersection. Engine warning light always comes on as and when the engine shuts off. So, I did take it in for this issue and they have had the car for over a week and can't fix it. They decided yesterday to replace the Powertrain Control Module but they can't get the part for 2 months. No guarantees that the PCM replacement will fix the issue. Other issues: flashing map on the instrument cluster when you advance a song, inability of the car to detect the key even when it is in the car, button on the door handle does not unlock the vehicle (probably related to the inability to detect the key), remote start from the App does not start the engine, auto high beams do not function and when I turn the feature back on in settings it turns off in seconds. I could go on but what is the point really. On the plus side I actually do really like the car. The interior is very well designed and functional. My labs love the rear for our journeys, though I did have to buy the ramp for the older one as it is a bit of a jump for her now. The car is great in deep sand and I was astonished that I did not have to air down with the off road tires at 47 and 50 lbs of pressure. Highway manners are surprisingly good. The car feels heavy and planted which I kind of like. So, great car, but JLR so far can't build it. I really wish they waited and got this car right rather than rush to release it. Right now it is only serving to reinforce JLR's poor reputation for reliability. And the dealer is not communicating at all and they have me driving a loaner. I told them that I would not drive a loaner for the next 2.5 months but no word back. I called JLR USA and opened a case today and they were frankly pretty rude. Also checked my state's Lemon Laws. My recommendation to anyone considering this vehicle is to avoid it. It is just not worth the trouble and both the dealer and JLR are making this worse by not communicating. Perhaps it gets better in subsequent model years - and I hope it does - but right now you are taking a big risk. I found myself building Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro's and Ford Ranger Tremor's yesterday. I'd suggest you do the same.
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