VehicleVerdict

2022 Land Rover Defender problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 82 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 32.8 times the median Defender year — the 2022 model ranks #2 of 16 Defender years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 24 reports (29% of the total).

82

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2022 compare to other Defender years?

Defender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted101 complaints1990: 1 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 1 complaints1999: 1 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 4 complaints2003: 3 complaints2020: 63 complaints2021: 38 complaints2022: 82 complaints2023: 101 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Defender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Defender years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 Land Rover Defender problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2429%
Visibility & Wipers1417%
Other1012%
Lighting79%
Driver Assistance67%
Engine56%
Steering45%
Transmission34%
Brakes22%
Body & Structure22%
Seats11%
Airbags11%
Speed Control11%
Suspension11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2022 Land Rover Defender have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V389000AirbagsJune 12, 2026 · 250,857 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.

26V248000Electrical SystemApril 17, 2026 · 170,169 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.

Consequence

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.

24E102000OtherDecember 6, 2024 · 485 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with Raised Air Intake (RAI) aftermarket accessory equipment, with part number VPLEP0543. The raised air intake may not be secured properly, which can allow the intake to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the RAI accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N964.

23V044000EngineFebruary 2, 2023 · 6,724 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.

22V523000Seat BeltsJuly 21, 2022 · 4,927 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2022-23 Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport and 2022 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, which can cause the seat belts to not properly restrain occupants.

Consequence

Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N720.

21V435000LightingJune 8, 2021 · 2,622 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 27, 2021. Owners can contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N598.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I purchased a 2022 V8 after waiting about a year to get the vehicle. It mostly has been a good car until recently. I was pulling into my garage, which has a downhill grade, and there was ice on the surface of the driveway and subsequently slid into the corner of my garage going no more than 3-5…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 26, 2022 · crash

“Windshield spontaneously cracked while parked (no impact). Crack was near top center and runs across the safety camera system. Crack was also instantaneously 1.5 foot long and partially obstructs driver's view. Scheduled for inspection by dealership - police, insurance has not been involved. No…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 10, 2022

“For the SECOND time, my windshield cracked in the upper right corner with no impact. The second time, I wasn’t even driving! The crack looks nearly identical, even as it runs. I paid for a new windshield the first time because they insisted that a rock hit me, although none of the people in the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 14, 2022

“Vehicle daytime running lights burn-out prematurely, after about a year or two. Common issue - Land Rover often will replace the entire headlight only for the lights to burn out again. This is happening so often Land Rover headlamps are months back-ordered. See this thread: [XXX] INFORMATION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 21, 2023

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 24, 2022

2022 Land Rover Defender — common questions

Is the 2022 Land Rover Defender reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 82 complaints put the 2022 model at #2 of 16 Defender years. It is one of the Defender years to avoid.

What are the most common 2022 Defender problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (24 complaints), visibility & wipers (14 complaints), other (10 complaints).

Does the 2022 Land Rover Defender have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 Land Rover Defender. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Land Rover Defender years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Defender years to avoid are 2023, 2022, 2020, 2021, 2024. The cleanest record among Defender years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.