Recalls: Land Rover L663 Defender
Overview
OverviewManufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Land Rover L663 Defender
2020-21 Land Rover L663 Defender 3.0L Diesel: exhaust gas leak and fire hazard
In May 2021, recall campaign N571 was issued for Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles that had 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines and were available for sale in Australia from 2 November 2020 to 11 March 2021. In these vehicles, the fixing nuts whch connected the exhaust downpipe to the catalytic convertor may not have been tightened to specification. The fixing nuts may therefore loosen over time, causing hot exhaust gases to leak into the engine bay. If a hot exhaust gas leak occurred, it could cause localised heat damage and, if sustained, could lead to under bonnet smoke and a vehicle fire. A vehicle fire posed a risk of injury to vehicle occupants and bystanders. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001630.
2020–2021 Land Rover L663 Defender 90: front seat end stop brackets may allow excessive forward movement
In August 2021, recall campaign N609 was issued for 2020–2021 Land Rover L663 Defender 90 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat end stop brackets may not meet specifications and this may allow the seat to latch further forward than intended. In the event of a collision, seat performance or strength may be reduced and this could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001682.
2021-22 Land Rover L663 Defender: seatbelt pre-tensioner may not work
In August 2022, recall campaign N720 was issued for 2021-22 Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect, a damaged front seatbelt pre-tensioner tube may have been isntalled on the seatbelt restractor. As a result, the seatbelt pre-tensioner may not operate as intended. In the event of a collision, failure of the seatbelt pre-tensioner to operate as intended increased the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005492.
2022–23 Land Rover L663 Defender: incorrectly machined camshaft carrier oil gallery could cause oil leak
In February 2023, recall campaign N763 was issued for 2022–2023 Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the camshaft carrier oil gallery may not have been drilled to specification. This could cause an external oil leak or oil to be discharged into the engine’s air intake system. In the presence of an ignition source, the oil leak could result in a vehicle fire which posed a risk of injury to vehicle occupants, road users and bystanders. To fix, an authorised Land Rover dealer was to inspect the camshaft carrier. If the camshaft carrier had been incorrectly machined, the component was to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005615.
2021–2023 Land Rover L663 Defender 130: third-row seat backrest latch may fail
In March 2023, recall campaign N768 was issued for 2021–2023 Land Rover L663 Defender 130 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the seat backrest locking mechanisms in the third row of seats may not have met specifications and could fail. Specifically, the rear seat backrest could collapse towards the passengers in the event of a collision or hard braking. A collapsing rear seat backrest could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. To fix, an authorised Land Rover dealer was to inspect the third-row seatback latch and, if it did not operate properly, replace the seat frame and associated components. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005633.
2019-23 Land Rover L663 Defender: engine overheating, coolant leak and fire hazard
In April 2023, recall campaign N785 was issued for 2019-23 Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect, the engine may rapidly overheat under certain operating conditions. As a result, the engine-mounted plastic elbow in the cooling system could rupture – this could cause a coolant leak and a fire in the engine compartment, posing a risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. If the engine overheated, the engine temperature (red) warning lamp may illuminate. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005649.
2022-23 Land Rover L663 Defender: engine may not start due to PCM issue
In October 2023, recall campaign N831 was issued for 2022-23 Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles. Due to a software issue, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may not activate as intended and the internal combustion engine may therefore not start when required. If this occurred whilst driving, it could increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software was to be updated via a wired connection or, where permitted, over-the-air. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005802.
2023 Land Rover L663 Defender: retaining clamps for fuel injectors may crack and cause fuel leak
In March 2024, recall campaign N853 was issued for 2023 Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles. In these vehicles, the clamps retaining the engine’s fuel injectors may not meet manufacturing specifications and could crack. This could cause a fuel leak and, in the presence of an external ignition source, a vehicle fire. A vehicle fire posed a risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users, and a risk of damage to property. To fix, an authorised Jaguar Land Rover dealer was to inspect and replace the fuel injectors. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005916.
2023-24 Land Rover L663 Defender: defective oil filter housing
In June 2024, recall campaign N908 was issued for 2023-24 Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect, the oil filter housing may not meet specifications and, over time, could crack. If this occurred, oil could leak into the engine bay and, in the presence of an ignition source, result in a vehicle fire. Such a fire would pose a risk of injury to vehicle occupants, other road users and bystanders, and a risk of damage to property. To fix, the oil filter housing, filter and associated O-rings were to be replaced by a Jaguar Land Rover dealer. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-006003.
2023–2024 Land Rover L663 Defender with Raised Air Intake (RAI): snorkel may detach
In April 2025, recall campaign N964 was issued for 2023–2024 Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles that were fitted with a Raised Air Intake (RAI). The RAI snorkel fitted to certain vehicles may not have been secured to the required specifications and could detaching from the vehicle whilst driving. If this occurred, the RAI snorkel could injure other road users and bystanders. To fix, an authorised Jaguar Land Rover dealer was to remove the RAI, install a revised fixing and refit the RAI. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-006228.
2025-26 Land Rover L663 Defender: third-row seat belt anchorage defect
In March 2026, recall campaign D098 was issued for 2025-26 Land Rover L663 Defender vehicles. In these vehicles, the third-row lower left and right seat belt anchorage bracket may contain a weld stud of insufficient strength. As a result, the seat belt may not operate as intended. An insufficient weld stud could result in the safety restraint system not operating as intended in the event of a collision, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Owners were advised to immediately stop using the third-row seats on the recalled vehicles. To fix, an authorised Jaguar Land Rover dealer was to replace the third-row lower seatbelt anchorage bracket. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-006575.
Problems and faults: Land Rover L663 Defender
Overview
OverviewThis section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Problems and faults: Land Rover L663 Defender
No troubleshooting information is currently available for the Land Rover L663 Defender.
