Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Land Rover Defender 90, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 16 | 22% |
| Visibility/wiper | 12 | 17% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 14% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 8% |
| Engine | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
| Structure | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
DRL Halo failure/driver side: I own a business, and am on the road driving throughout the day. I have had at least 3 incidents where other drivers have pulled out in front of me, in which I believe was due to the DLR Ha
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The DRL a safety feature fails on the Defender L663 models 20-23 and LR will not fix. I have 40k miles on my 22. They want $3200 for a headlight but to me its a safety offering for daytime running lamps. Looks how man
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
Component and System Failure: The front headlamp assembly's internal LED Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) circuit board failed prematurely. The component is not available for inspection upon request, as the failed headlamp ass
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
Left front running light is not working. This type of issue prevents car from passing a State inspection. Issue is a halo DRLs failed. Issue is due to a failed LED module. The repair for this $40 module by the dealer is
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
1) Exhaust Manifold Studs are loosening and/or breaking on I6 engine causing potential CO2 exposure to passengers in the cabin and/or engine bay fire risk. 2) Potentailly yes via CO2. 3) Yes - out of factory warranty th
NHTSA complaint: Engine
My vehicle is losing power from the battery showing battery needs to recharge and its full charged have to turn interior lights off
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2022 Land Rover Defender. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the raised air intake partially detached from the vehicle. The contact believed that the VIN should be included in NHTSA Campaign
NHTSA complaint: Structure
While driving my 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 (16,658 miles), the brake pedal suddenly went soft and sank to the floor. Braking became severely degraded and effectively useless. I was able to slow the vehicle using engin
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 16 of them (22%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2022 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.