2020 Land Rover Defender: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Land Rover Defender: 7 recalls, 55 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #21V424000 · 2021 · 163 vehicles
What's wrong: The powertrain control module (PCM) May unexpectedly switch off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in an engine stall with no warning.
Why it matters: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The connected diagnostic services (cds) and the over-the-air (ota) diagnostics functionality will be disabled, either by a dealer or through an ota update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2021.
Exterior lights, Exterior lights Vehicle recall #21V435000 · 2021 · 2,622 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Child seat, Equipment Vehicle recall #21V584000 · 2021 · 7,027 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Incorrect child restraint information May result in a child seat being improperly secured, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Land rover will mail owners the correct information to insert into the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2021.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #23V044000 · 2023 · 6,724 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine cam carrier oil channel May be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.
Why it matters: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #26V248000 · 2026 · 170,169 vehicles
What's wrong: Insufficient electrical load balancing during times of high demand can lead to a current overload condition and malfunction of the dcdc converter. 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.
Why it matters: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the central software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V389000 · 2026 · 250,857 vehicles
What's wrong: The driverâs air bag clockspring connector May corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Why it matters: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driverâs air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026.
Electrical Vehicle recall #26V599000 · 2026 · 23,677 vehicles
What's wrong: The dc-dc converter May malfunction due to an electrical overload that can occur during high power demand. Additionally, a software error can cause the dc-dc converter to stop functioning at vehicle start-up under certain circumstances. Failure of the dc-dc converter will result in the loss of 12-volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Why it matters: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Equipment, Body & structure Equipment recall #24E102000 · 2024 · 485 vehicles
What's wrong: The raised air intake May not be secured properly, which can allow the intake to detach from the vehicle.
Why it matters: A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the rai accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Exterior lights (19): the most common themes are warning light on (3), fire / smoke (2), electrical failure (2).
- Electrical (12): the most common themes are electrical failure (7), warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Steering (8): the most common themes are steering problems (7).
- Engine (7): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), electrical failure (3).
The 2020 Land Rover Defender has 55 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 16 Defender model years for complaints (2.8× the average Defender year). Complaints peaked in 2026 (15 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 2,041 miles. Neighboring years: 2021 (42 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 21 | 19 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Land Rover Defender.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Land Rover Defender have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2020 Land Rover Defender, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Land Rover Defender problems?
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (19), electrical (12), steering (8).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Land Rover Defender get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Land Rover Defender repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.