2022 Land Rover Defender problems: recalls, complaints and whether this is a year to avoid

Owner complaint records for the 2022 Land Rover Defender were not returned in the latest retrieval, so no count is shown rather than a zero that would be wrong. 7 recall entries cover this year.

Which recalls cover the 2022?

Exterior Lighting 2020, 2022 · 21V435000

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.

Free 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.

Seat Belts 2022 · 22V523000

The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, which can cause the seat belts to not…

Free remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022.

Engine and Engine Cooling 2022 · 23V044000

The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.

Free 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.

Take the campaign number to any franchised Land Rover dealer. Recall repairs are free with no mileage or ownership limit, and they follow the car rather than the owner, so a used 2022 with an unrepaired campaign is a free repair you can claim. How recalls work.

Recall text is abridged from the NHTSA record. Search the campaign number at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the full notice and affected VIN ranges.

What do owners report on the Land Rover Defender?

Across every Land Rover Defender year, not the 2022 alone — NHTSA does not split component totals by model year.

  • Exterior Lighting — 17 reports
  • Steering — 8 reports
  • Electrical System — 7 reports
  • Visibility/Wiper — 5 reports

Which other Land Rover Defender years should you compare?

← 2020 Land Rover Defender · All Land Rover Defender years

If you are deciding between years, the Land Rover Defender page carries the full run with the component breakdown. Before money changes hands, run the VIN for open recalls and read the inspection checklist — ten minutes in the seller’s driveway finds most of what matters.

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Check a 2022 before you commit

Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.

Diagnostics~$25

ANCEL AD310 Classic OBD2 Scanner

The glovebox tool. Wired, no app, no pairing, no batteries — plug it in and it reads and clears engine codes. This is the one that saves you a diagnostic fee the first time the check engine light comes on. Its limits are honest: engine codes only, no ABS or airbag, no live graphing.

Best for: Anyone who just wants to know what the light means

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Diagnostics~$100

BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBD2 Scanner

Pairs with your phone and reads far more than engine codes — ABS, airbag, transmission and HVAC on most vehicles — plus live data. The real feature is the repair reports, which map a code to the fixes that most often resolved it on your specific year, make, model and engine. No subscription.

Best for: Owners keeping a car past warranty, or checking used cars

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Roadside~$100

NOCO Boost Plus GB40 Jump Starter

A lithium pack the size of a paperback that starts a car with no second vehicle and no stranger required, and charges a phone besides. It is the single most useful thing in a car emergency kit, and the reason jumper cables have become optional. Recharge it every few months.

Best for: Every car, every climate

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