2024 Land Rover Defender 130

The 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 is a spacious and capable SUV, offering three rows of seating and impressive off-road performance. It’s available with a range of powertrains. The P300 uses a 296-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which has 295 pound-feet of torque, while the P400 uses a 395-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, which has 406 pound-feet of torque, and the P500 uses a 493-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V8, which has 450 pound-feet of torque. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Owners often praise the Defender 130 for its rugged design, advanced technology, and go-anywhere capability. Common criticisms include the vehicle’s high price tag, sometimes clunky infotainment system, and potential reliability concerns.

Electrical

• Infotainment System Freezing/Lagging
  • Description/Symptoms: The Pivi Pro infotainment system can freeze, lag, or become unresponsive. This can affect navigation, audio, and other vehicle functions.
  • Solution: Software updates from Land Rover can often address these issues. In some cases, a hard reset or replacement of the infotainment unit may be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (Software Update) - $1500+ (Infotainment Unit Replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Sensor Malfunctions (Parking Sensors, Blind Spot Monitoring)
  • Description/Symptoms: Parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, or other driver-assistance systems may intermittently fail or provide inaccurate warnings.
  • Solution: Diagnosis with a Land Rover diagnostic tool is necessary to identify the faulty sensor. Replacement of the sensor is the usual fix.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600+ per sensor
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Tailgate Alignment Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The tailgate may not align properly, leading to difficulty in closing or an uneven appearance. This can sometimes cause increased wind noise and rattling from the rear.
  • Solution: Adjustment of the tailgate hinges and latch mechanism by a qualified technician.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $400+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Air Conditioning Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The AC system does not provide proper temperature control for the rear seating areas.
  • Solution: Replace the AC system’s evaporator core with a new or better system.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1200 - $1500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Engine

P300 (2.0L Turbocharged Four-Cylinder)

• Turbocharger Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Whining noise from the turbocharger, loss of power, and potentially a check engine light.
  • Solution: Replacement of the turbocharger unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2000 - $3500+
  • Recalls: None Found

P400 (3.0L Turbocharged Inline-Six)

• Auxiliary Coolant Pump Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Overheating, check engine light, and reduced engine performance.
  • Solution: Replacement of the auxiliary coolant pump.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1000+
  • Recalls: None Found

P500 (5.0L Supercharged V8)

No Issues Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (All Engines)

• Rough Shifting/Hesitation
  • Description/Symptoms: The transmission may exhibit rough or jerky shifting, particularly between certain gears. Hesitation during acceleration is also reported.
  • Solution: Software update of the transmission control module (TCM) may resolve the issue. In some cases, valve body replacement or complete transmission overhaul may be required.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (Software Update) - $5000+ (Transmission Overhaul)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The vehicle may sag on one or more corners, the air compressor may run continuously, or a suspension fault warning may appear on the dashboard.
  • Solution: Diagnosis to identify the faulty component (air spring, compressor, valve block, or height sensor). Replacement of the affected part.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2500+ (depending on the component)
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2024 Land Rover Defender 130, while praised for its capabilities, has shown some issues, particularly related to the infotainment system, sensors, and air suspension. Engine and transmission problems vary depending on the chosen powertrain, with the 2.0L turbocharger and 3.0L auxiliary coolant pump being the most prominent. Repair costs can range from relatively minor software updates to significant expenses for component replacements like the infotainment unit, turbocharger, or air suspension components. While some issues may be covered under warranty, out-of-pocket costs can be substantial.