Land Rover Defender Complaints

230 consumer complaints on file.

#11715474February 4, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
While driving the vehicle warnings alerted me that the battery was low and to start the vehicle ( it was running as I was driving) then the alert changed to pull over when possible. At this time the power steering and power brakes started to fail by the time I pulled into a parking lot the vehicle completely died and I had to push it into a parking spot. I called Land Rover they towed it to a dealership. The dealership in Orlando Florida said that the DC to DC converter failed and that it would need a new one (but the part is on a back order because it’s a common issue and they have no idea how long it will take to get the part) it will take at least 30 days or more to get a new part. Before I managed to pull over in a safe location the steering became very heavy and the brake pedal got very hard and barely stopped the vehicle ( almost had a collision) and steering into the parking lot was extremely difficult.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715326February 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
8/25/2023 18,118 miles, vehicle purchased. Warranty 48 months or 50,000 miles. Factory warranty remaining 31 months or 31,905 miles. 1/8/2024 26,536 miles, L Headlight failure, electric door lock malfunction, air suspension failure. Headlight = warranty replacement. Service Department = no solution, diagnostic code or replication of electric lock or suspension issue. 3/26/2024 30,285 miles, R Headlight failure, Low Battery notification. Tested Battery- passed. Headlight- warranty replacement. 4/30/2024 32,175 miles, Low Battery notification. Tested Battery- failed. Battery replacement and battery reset module = warranty replacement. 11/7/20205 58,812 miles, Turbo Coolant O rings failed- mechanical. Service writer advised this is common for these engines in the V6 defender models. Repair estimate $642.77. Dealership - provided good faith discount. Customer agreed to and paid a negotiated repair totaling $377.30. Despite all repairs, electrical warnings continued off and on with Low Battery notifications, that would appear and disappear. 1/31/2026 (62,105 mi), electrical issue, Low Battery notification, then “STOP SAFELY – ELECTRICAL FAULT DETECTED” notification. Caused vehicle failuer & shut down. Required towing. "STOP SAFELY – ELECTRICAL FAULT DETECTED" notification – electronic fault affects: Power delivery, Steering, Braking, Stability systems. Dealership Diagnosed fault code P0D33-11, failed DC/DC converter and batteries. Replacement Cost +$2,467.38. DC/DC Convertor OEM Parts are on national backorder. 1-2 months lead time. QTY 15 units waiting. Low battery warnings & P0D33-11 code are related. Weak 12V battery = stress the DC/DC converter, fault codes, conversely, a failing DC/DC prevent the 12V battery charging. These repeated low-battery warnings and electrical failures are directly related to DC/DC converter failure and represent an ongoing electrical defect that originated during the warranty period, not normal wear and tear.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714834February 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Repeated failures of the 48v to 12v DC to DC converter. Failure to charge the 12v system results in an complete drain of the 12v battery in under 30 mins while operating the vehicle. The result is an immediate shut down of the vehicle. In my case, while in the middle of a travel lane. Without 12v power the vehicle cannot be shifted into neutral and cannot be moved creating a very unsafe situation. My vehicle has been in an authorized land rover service dealership five time on this issue. The converter was replaced only to occur again. The vehicle displays and warning message on the dash that an electrical failure has occurred and to stop the vehicle. As the voltage of the 12v battery drops, multiple systems begin to fail in fast progression while trying to get to a safe pullover. Multiple engine fault codes occur, including electrical generator failure. Current mileage on the vehicle 13800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714802February 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving my Defender 130 at Highway speed a warning for a faulty electrical system light came on. Within a mile while I was trying to exit the highway, all electrical systems failed. I had a gearbox failure warning and the car went into neutral at highway speed. Power steering failed and I had to manhandle the vehicle off the road into a snow drift to get off the highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714786February 1, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
On January 25, 2026, while driving my 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 in Colorado on Interstate 70, the vehicle suddenly and completely lost power with no warning. There were no dashboard alerts, warning lights, or messages prior to the failure. The vehicle abruptly became disabled while traveling at highway speed, creating an immediate and serious risk of a crash, severe injury, or death to myself and other motorists. I was extremely fortunate to be able to safely maneuver the vehicle out of traffic and exit the highway. Given traffic conditions on I-70, this failure could easily have resulted in a major accident. The vehicle was undrivable and had to be towed to Flatirons Land Rover in Colorado on January 25, 2026. On January 26, 2026, after I had to repeatedly follow up with the dealership, I was informed that the failure was caused by a defective component related to the battery/electrical system. Although the repair is covered under warranty, the required part is on backorder, and I was advised the vehicle will be out of service for approximately six weeks. The dealership stated they cannot provide a loaner vehicle, leaving me without transportation. They said the dcdc converter and I don not understand and they did not explain well A sudden loss of power without warning at highway speeds represents a serious safety defect that puts drivers and the public at risk. I am concerned this defect may affect other vehicles and could lead to serious injuries or fatalities if not addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714784February 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The battery recharging system failed causing the entire vehicle to shut down. The suspension, gearbox, and starter all stopped working without warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714705January 31, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I own a 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 that I purchased brand new. Since buying it, it has been back to the dealer many times for serious issues. The vehicle has had repeated cooling system failures, including replacement of all upper coolant hoses. Most recently it was at the dealer for coolant loss / no coolant, and the dealer diagnosed failed O-rings going into the turbo and repaired it. I was told this is a common issue but there has been no recall. Shortly after getting the vehicle back, while traveling with my family, I received a dashboard warning: “Stop safely – electrical fault.” Immediately after this warning, the vehicle lost power and died in the street with my family in the car, creating a major safety hazard and risk of being hit by traffic. The vehicle had to be towed. I am currently stranded in NY (away from home in MA) and the vehicle is now at a dealer here. It has been difficult to even get it seen by a technician, and we are supposed to return home tomorrow (Sunday). I have learned many other owners are experiencing similar “Stop safely” failures and it appears related to the P400 DC/DC converter. There have also been incidents where the steering wheel would not turn, and the only way to restore function was disconnecting the negative battery terminal to reset the vehicle computer, which is extremely dangerous. Additionally, the heated steering wheel overheated and burned a hole through the steering wheel and burned my hand while driving. The dealer replaced it under warranty, but the repair notes suggested the damage caused the heater issue, when the damage occurred because of the overheating/burn. This vehicle has had repeated safety-related defects involving the cooling system, electrical system, steering, and heated steering wheel, including sudden shutdown in the roadway with passengers. I request NHTSA investigate for a potential recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714701January 31, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car only has 42K miles on it- we were driving down the highway at approx 75mph, when the dash alarms started going off indicating an electrical system failure. A few minutes later all systems started flashing failures (lane keep assist system, braking system, etc)....then suddenly the gear box system failure alerted and the gears disengaged, the RPM's shot up and red-lined, and the CAR lost power in the middle of the highway. Fortunately we were able to get off to the shoulder without getting hit by a semi-truck. The car was completely dead. It had to be towed to a dealer, to find out that the DC/DC converter had failed- and these parts have been on back order for months- apparently this is a common issue with these cars, and people have been talking about it online...many have been without their car for 3-4 months waiting these parts.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714514January 30, 2026
ENGINE
Stop safely electrical fault detected appeared on dash DC failure Vehicle is not drivable
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714508January 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Lost all power due to failure of DC/DC Converter, Part # 433123464 (or LR131043). This problem is widespread and the replacement parts are on backorder. Land Rover cannot provide an ETA for delivery of parts to dealerships as of 1/30/2026. This failure occurred immediately and the vehicle came to a complete stop while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714244January 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car completely died. Unable to be jumped. Had to be towed. There’s a problem with the DC/DC converter. The parts going to take at least 3-4 weeks to come in. My dealer states they have over five or six vehicles waiting for the same repair. This should be a recall issue!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714170January 29, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
Yes, my car caught fire. It's at an impound currently. My clothes caught fire when I tried putting it out. The car could have been parked in my garage or been in NYC, with a full tank of gas, that would have caused serious damage. My insurance company is sending an investigator to look into it today. No, warning lamps, messages or symptoms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713872January 28, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On December 29th 2025 my car displayed an alert "Electrical Fault Detected: Please Pull Car Over Safely". I was in rural New Hampshire at the time so continued driving (for about 5 minutes) until I lost all power steering, stability controls and ability to drive the car - luckily by this point I had made it to Gorham, NH. Luckily it was just me in the car and not my family as the temps were below 10 F that day and Land Rover couldn't get a tow until the next day. Since then the car had to be towed to Land Rover Bedford and has been in the shop since as they dont have any DC Converters (Part number 433123464) in the US. Apparently there are 1400 Land Rover Defenders all sat in garage lots as nobody can get this part in the US from the manufacturer. There is no ETA on when the part will arrive in the US and I will have my car back.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713757January 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Safety Complaint – DC-to-DC Converter Failure Causing Vehicle Shutdown I am submitting this complaint to report a DC-to-DC converter failure that rendered my vehicle inoperable. The authorized Land Rover service department diagnosed a failed DC-to-DC converter. This component is part of the vehicle’s electrical system and its failure caused a loss of vehicle functionality. I was informed the replacement part is on national back order, with an estimated repair time of up to two months. Based on owner reports and service discussions, this appears to be a common failure affecting Land Rover mild-hybrid vehicles. Many reports describe sudden loss of electrical power, warning messages, and vehicle shutdown. This issue presents a potential safety risk, as failure of the DC-to-DC converter can result in loss of vehicle systems and may occur without warning, including while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle is currently unusable. It is concerning that a critical electrical component with safety implications is failing at relatively low mileage and that replacement parts are not readily available. I am requesting NHTSA review this issue for potential investigation, recall, or other corrective action.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713588January 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle display provided warning of Electrical Fault and shorty thereafter the vehicle "bricked" ie. became entirely inoperable. I was able to jump start the engine but as soon as the vehicle was disconnected from the jumping power source the vehicle's engine shut down. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The tech with the towing truck jump started the vehicle and noted the problem appeared to be with the alternator (ie. excessive draw on the power source). The dealership has tentatively diagnosed the problem as the DC-DC converter which serves as the alternator in this vehicle. The part has been back ordered for quite some time. The failure of this component seems to be a widespread issue with a number of Land Rover models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713561January 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On [XXX], while driving approximately 30 mph, my vehicle displayed the warning “STOP SAFELY – ELECTRICAL FAULT DETECTED.” I immediately pulled over and restarted the vehicle, but the warning reappeared. Due to safety concerns and proximity to my home, I cautiously continued driving. Two blocks from my residence, I stopped briefly and received a message stating “BATTERY LOW – PLEASE START ENGINE.” After restarting and turning the vehicle off again, the original warning cleared; however, the vehicle has been completely inoperable since [XXX]. The SUV was towed for battery replacement and then towed again after diagnosis confirmed a failed DC-DC converter. The dealership has advised the earliest availability of the replacement part is February 19, 2026, resulting in over two months of total vehicle downtime. I have received minimal updates during this time. I reported this issue to Land Rover/JLR but have not received follow-up or resolution. Based on my research, DC-DC converter failure is a known safety issue, and JLR has prior awareness of this defect. This failure presents a serious safety concern due to loss of electrical function while driving, possibly emergency brake issue, along with unreasonable repair delays related to a known issue. I am requesting acknowledgement of this safety concern, clear communication regarding my case, and appropriate assistance due to the extended downtime and still having to pay a monthly car payment/insurance and manufacture warranty just expiring at the 50,000 miles. Thank you for your time, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713553January 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Land Rover Defender. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shut off unintendedly. There was an unknown electrical warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failure with the DC converter Part Number: 433123464. The contact was informed that the part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the part was on backorder. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712995January 23, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The DC/DC converter failed causing the generator not to charge. This caused the car to lose all power whilst I was driving the vehicle and come to a complete stop on an active road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712225January 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DC Converter for Hybrid system malfunction with complete battery discharge rendering the vehicle inoperable while utilizing. Lucky that the occurrence occurred in low traffic area! Unable to move vehicle onto flat bed truck because of electrical controlled gears. Unable to secure vehicle because of electrical controlled door locks. Replacement product on back order -estimate at least 6 weeks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712027January 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A known LR Defender MHEV system problem. Specifically, a DC-DC converter failure - while driving vehicle on busy highway. Failure systematically shuts down vehicle. Please refer to: Land Rover Charging System Fault: The DC-DC Converter This is a serious safety issue. The Defender becomes completely disabled while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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