Worst 2020 Land Rover Defender Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Land Rover Defender.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 13 | — | — | 124 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | — | 1 | 1,297 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 7 | — | — | 1,900 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | — | 1 | 1,350 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 6 | — | — | 222 mi | |
| Body Structure | 5 | — | — | 9,250 mi | |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Land Rover Defender. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2020 Land Rover Defender
4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~16,536 vehicles.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles. The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The owner's manual incorrectly states that the third-row seating is equipped with LATCH child seat restraints with top tethers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles equipped with smoked rear light assemblies. A voltage spike, triggered by a bright light shining on the rear of the vehicle, can cause the turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights to fail.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may unexpectedly switch off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in an engine stall with no warning.
Other Land Rover Defender Years
2020 Land Rover Defender — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2020 Land Rover Defender reliable?
What are common problems with the 2020 Land Rover Defender?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Land Rover Defender?
How safe is the 2020 Land Rover Defender?
Does the 2020 Land Rover Defender have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2020 Land Rover Defender?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Land Rover Defender reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2020 Land Rover Defender
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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