2022 Land Rover DEFENDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
72 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
21,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 72 complaints (34.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 19 | 26.4% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 9.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 13 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Electrical System: 25; Visibility/Wiper: 13; Exterior Lighting: 12; Unknown Or Other: 9; Engine: 6; Steering: 4; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 70 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 31 |
2021: 5; 2022: 16; 2023: 11; 2024: 6; 2025: 3; 2026: 31
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11451195 · 2022-02-09 (February 9, 2022)
Several times while waiting at a red light, the engine just died, feels like it's connected to the hybrid engine not functioning properly. service said it had to do with battery and they fixed it. It still happened 2 more times after they serviced. Also now car is not drivable, because the steering wheel does not budge/move. Waiting for service to return my call. Is this something that could happen whilst driving? It is very scary when the brand new car keeps failing unexpectedly.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11451195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11533865 · 2023-07-22 (July 22, 2023)
There were two separate issues. First was the battery dying once 4 months after purchase and again about 12 months after purchase. Both times we were lucky we were not out and about 4 wheeling like we normally do. Second is very recent about 18 months after purchase. Both the coolant feed and return lines to the turbo were leaking bad. O2 sensor came up faulty, as well as PCV diaphragm. This about the 4th serious issue we’ve had with this car. I expected this upon purchasing but got one anyways to try it out for off-roading. More to come soo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11533865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444859 · 2021-12-23 (December 23, 2021)
I started my vehicle as usual, everything looked ok except “lane assist not available!” was showing on the driver's screen, and when I wanted to drive away, the steering wheel was unresponsive, but I could drive the vehicle forward and in reverse. Also, the main interactive display was slightly dimmed. I tried a couple of restarts (engine off, lock and leave for 30mins) to no avail. I called Recovery and they delivered the car to the Dealership who undertook several tests but couldn't locate the problem; rebooting some of the connections wo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448727 · 2022-01-24 (January 24, 2022)
Power steering failed upon starting the car after 12 hours of non use. The lane assist light came on saying it was unavailable. Upon first starting it did not move in drive or reverse but was able to after a few restarts but the steering was still failing. I am worried about the steering failing while driving.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440423 · 2021-11-14 (November 14, 2021)
My vehicle had been at the Land Rover South Bay Service department from 11/3/21 to 11/10/21 because the suspension fault indicator had come on the prior week and the air suspension had temporarily failed. In addition, it occasionally does not start when I press the start button with my foot depressing the brake pedal and the key is in the car. It is a brand new vehicle with about 1,750 miles. On 11/11/21 I was driving the vehicle down a hill at approximately 40-45 MPH when the automatic emergency braking system self activated for no reason. The…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469617 · 2022-06-16 (June 16, 2022)
Sounds of a clicking noise when accelerating from takeoff and braking. I have moved the seat up and down to see if that would help and it continues to click. Vehicle has 6500 miles on it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11469617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448422 · 2022-01-21 (January 21, 2022)
I was sitting at a red traffic light, the auto stop/start function activated and engine shut off. when the light turned green I hit the gas and my 2022 Defender stalled. I started the vehicle went to put into gear and it stalled again. I tried to start the Vehicle again and it stalled right away. on my third attempt to start vehicle it finally started. also while driving during the day when i stopped i noticed the auto stop/start indicator would would be white and be in inhibited mode randomly. I had been driving for at about an hour. I had thi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11470012 · 2022-06-20 (June 20, 2022)
The engine cut out whilst going 90kmph on a four lane freeway. I had about 10 seconds to react before it rolled to a complete stop - it wouldn't connect the gas at all. Extremely unsafe situation, other cars beeping their horns in panic as they swerved past me. Lucky to not have caused a serious collision and die today. I ended up in between the third lane and the fourth lane exit. Waited there for 2 mins with cars going past me at full speed. Restarted and was able to take the exit where it continued to stall and eventually the vehicle was tow…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11470012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11714784 · 2026-02-01 (February 1, 2026)
The battery recharging system failed causing the entire vehicle to shut down. The suspension, gearbox, and starter all stopped working without warning.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11714784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11721964 · 2026-03-04 (March 4, 2026)
While driving on a busy road. My car gave a message saying electrical failure and transmission failure. Within 20 seconds shut the car down before I could safely pull over and it was unable to start. Hazard lights didn’t work and I was stuck in the middle of the road until a tow truck came. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a failure of the dc to dc converter. It has been replaced but took two weeks to repair
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11721964 at NHTSA ↗