2023 Land Rover Defender owners report a jump in headlights complaints

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Lights · HI

I own a 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 X. The passenger-side daytime running light halo is completely inoperative. On November 2, 2026, an authorized Land Rover dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that the entire passenger-side headlamp assembly must be replaced. The quoted repair cost was approximately $3,255, plus applicable taxes and fees. The dealer also advised that the vehicle cannot pass Hawaiʻi’s required safety inspection because of the lighting failure. The original headlamp has not yet been replaced and remains available for inspection. There has been no crash, fire, injury or death associated with this failure. I believe the DRL has failed prematurely on a relatively new vehicle. Because the DRL is integrated into the sealed headlamp assembly, the failure requires replacement of the entire assembly rather than an individual bulb or serviceable lighting component. I am concerned that this premature exterior-lighting failure reduces the vehicle’s daytime visibility to other drivers and prevents the vehicle from passing its required safety inspection. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency can document the failure and evaluate whether similar DRL failures are occurring in other Land Rover Defenders.

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Body · VA

The Tow Hooks are rusted and part of the vehicle when purchased and not an add on aftermarket part or accessory. Land Rover has failed to follow up after many attempts to contact and resolve. This should be covered under the rust and corrosion warranty, and they are ailing to even look at the problem. The concern is if there's any additional rust to major suspension or body parts as well as requesting that these tow hooks parts be replaced/repaired under the 4 year/50,000 mile warranty.

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Lights · IL

I am reporting a suspected systemic safety defect involving premature failure of the integrated LED daytime running lights (DRLs) on 2020–2026 Land Rover Defender (L663) vehicles. The DRLs reportedly fail at relatively low mileage, frequently around 50,000 miles, during normal vehicle operation. The suspected cause is overheating and premature deterioration of the integrated LED driver electronics due to inadequate thermal management. The precise cause requires investigation. This failure eliminates an important daytime vehicle conspicuity feature, reducing visibility to approaching motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, particularly during rain, overcast weather, and transitional lighting conditions. Some owners report no dashboard warning when the DRLs fail, potentially leaving drivers unaware of the malfunction. Jaguar Land Rover has known about this issue since at least 2021. Its Special Service Message SSM 75479 specifically acknowledges DRL failures on 2020–2021 Defenders and documents an engineering investigation. Similar failures have subsequently been reported by owners of later model years, suggesting a potentially unresolved design defect. Because the DRL electronics are integrated into the sealed headlamp assembly, dealerships generally require replacement of the entire assembly, costing approximately $3,000 per headlight or $6,000 for both. Land Rover reportedly provides goodwill replacements selectively while requiring other owners to pay out of pocket. I request that the federal safety agency investigate the entire 2020–2026 Defender population, examine JLR’s engineering records, warranty claims, component failure rates, and headlamp design revisions, and determine whether a safety recall and manufacturer-funded corrective action are warranted. This is a recurring failure of a factory-installed safety-related lighting system, not simply an ordinary maintenance or warranty concern.