2023 LAND ROVER DEFENDER Engine Problems
8 NHTSA complaints on file
Engine Issues in the 2023 LAND ROVER DEFENDER
8 engine complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2023 LAND ROVER DEFENDER. Of these, 0 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.
8
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Engine Complaints
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...
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...
Stop safely electrical fault detected appeared on dash DC failure Vehicle is not drivable
My car died on December 14, 2025 when I was pulling out of my driveway. It read “stop safely electrical fault detected.” And then shut down and would not turn on. Then it said “battery low. Please start engine.” But the car would not start. I had to get it towed to the dealer. They told me it was a the DC converter or the epic module. They said this is a company wide issue with the 2023 defenders and they do not have the part in stock and that it is on back order. Right now they are stating that the part may be in in mid February. Previous to this issue I also had issues two times with my car stating engine coolant issues and had to bring it to the dealer two times to get fixed.
we had a coolant leak like the one reported on recall N785, I called the Land Rover USA office and they said that they only have a "voluntary" recall for this problem and I need to pay for them to fix it. It's not faire that they refuse to fix something that is happening in the same car and model but different engine type. They know they need to recall all the Defenders. What you can do to protect us?
1.) Coolant turbo lines leak coolant. Causing the engine to overheat. It is recommended by the dealer to replace the two(2) o-rings and bypass hose assembly. 2.) This is a high risk this can cause risk of an engine fire in addition to major damage to the engine. 3.)The Land Rover Dealer (Annapolis, MD) has confirmed that this is a known issue. Further research online confirms from other customers with dealers that this is a known issue. 4.) The dealer performed diagnosis on the vehicle and confirmed the parts that need replacing. 5.) As the engine gets close to overheating, you notice the temperature gauge moving to red and a warning message that the engine is overheating. Initially, you will notice messages that the engine coolant level is low and as the problem progresses, you will see the message more frequently. I have personally gone through two full bottles of...
The 2023 Land Rover Defender said emissions fault and died in 4 lanes of busy traffic. This has happened since the first few miles but usually happens in a parking lot. The Defender also throws itself into neutral while in drive. This has happened multiple times and the car has less than $10k miles. I’ve taken it in before for the same issues, it’s getting towed again today.
When stopped at stoplight engine gear slips to neutral without warning. When applying gas it becomes apparent it’s no longer in drive. Has happened 8 plus times and I’ve had this new car less than 2weeks. Reported to dealer who tells me 2 other customers have reported this as well. No one is sure why it happens.
Other 2023 LAND ROVER DEFENDER Problem Areas
Electrical System
26 complaints
Visibilitywiper
13 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Power Train
5 complaints
Lane Departure Assist
4 complaints
Exterior Lighting
3 complaints
Lane Departure Warning
3 complaints
Unknown Or Other
3 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
1 complaint
Fuelpropulsion System
1 complaint
Interior Lighting
1 complaint
Tires
1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control
1 complaint