2020 Land Rover Defender Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 9%of 58 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 2020 Land Rover Defender, 9% of the 58 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,250 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On august 3rd, while driving west-southwest at approximately 80 MPH on interstate 90 in montana, the a-pillar cover became loose and the small cover at the base of the a pillar flew from the vehicle while moving. The two remaining pieces remained on the vehicle, one piece barely held on by a screw at the base, the other held on with about 50% of the adhesive still intact. Both would have flown off had we not immediately pulled over and removed each with the tools I had in the car (personal tools I happened to have with me). …”
NHTSA complaint #11348990, filed 2020-08, 3,500 miles“On the 2020 Land Rover Defender, a known problem is a rattling sound of the passenger side a-pillar. Land rover posted a bulletin on how to fix the issue and I brought it for a fix in november, but the sound persisted. Yesterday when driving at highway speeds there were heavy cross winds and the a-pillar flew off the vehicle into traffic but did not hit anyone. This is very dangerous. The engineers need to fix this.”
NHTSA complaint #11384926, filed 2020-12, 15,000 miles“2020 Land Rover Defender with air intake snorkel was detached from the vehicle driving down the highway during a windy day. I see that Land Rover has recalled the snorkel for 2023 and 2024 models for that very reason. The recall should include 2020 models as well! I've noticed that there are many Land Rover Defender owners talking about this same issue online.”
NHTSA complaint #11634573, filed 2025-01“My front windshield cracked to the point of requiring replacement with neither notice nor reasonable cause (no impact, no crack starting point, besides the bottom edge, no temperature gradients, no pressure applied to the windshield).”
NHTSA complaint #11434894, filed 2021-09Related service bulletins
- 11038293Sep 25, 2026Accessory Wheel Arch Protection - Gaps Present Between Protection And Vehicle Body
- 11020198Jun 12, 2025Tapping Noise From A-Pillar Area
- 11020199Jun 11, 2025Tapping Noise From A-Pillar Area
- 11012407Dec 13, 2024The windshield trim is not sitting correctly or rattles.
- 11011048Nov 21, 2024Roof Opening Panel Not Operating as Expected
- 10248411Dec 20, 2023JLR Retailers have reported visible corrosion around the outlet of the exhaust tailpipe prior to PDI
- 10242032Aug 7, 2023Rear doors difficult to open
- 10240218Jul 17, 2023The loadspace cover is sagging or has become damaged.
- 10239020Jun 26, 2023A customer may report that the rear tailgate glass shattered when closing a side door.
- 10239018Jun 26, 2023A customer may report that the front or rear door latch does not operate as expected.
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2020 Land Rover Defender
21 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Land Rover Defender
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology