2020 Land Rover Defender Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 5%of 58 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Land Rover Defender, 5% of the 58 complaints for this model year.
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.
“Large clunking sound with shuddering of the vehicle during a turn at low speeds. Inspection revealed cracked transfer case and differential damage which could lead to loss of control of vehicle. Had part repaired at Land Rover, again malfunctioned after 1000 miles with shuddering and skipping of rear tires during turns. Aware of two other malfunctions of transfer case with instability during turns.”
NHTSA complaint #11533440, filed 2023-07“My 2020 Land Rover Defender 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) experienced a check engine light and hybrid electrical failure. Diagnostics by an authorized Jaguar Land Rover dealer confirmed code P0A1F-96 (Battery Energy Control Module / BECM internal component failure). This failure relates directly to an active, global safety recall issued by JLR (NHTSA Campaign 26V248 / JLR Recall D126) regarding DC-DC converter failures in MHEV vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11752326, filed 2026-07Related service bulletins
- 11020209Jun 13, 2025MIL on Instrument cluster.
- 11020204Jun 13, 2025Turbocharger coolant feed and return pipe o- ring leak
- 11018311May 9, 2025Vehicle cranks, but does not run when at operating temperature
- 11017749Apr 11, 2025Electrical system warning light will be on the instrument cluster.
- 11012402Dec 13, 2024Malfunction indicator lamp is displayed.
- 11011026Nov 15, 2024MIL lamp on the instrument cluster. FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE INOPERATIVE
- 11010198Oct 15, 2024MIL lamp on the instrument cluster
- 11008614Sep 13, 2024'Stop Safely Electrical Fault Detected' warning message on the instrument panel.
- 11007185Aug 9, 2024Electrical system fault on instrument cluster or noise from engine.
- 11006072Jul 15, 2024Low coolant light on or smell of coolant from engine area.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2020 Land Rover Defender
21 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 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 31, 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