Tapping Noise From A-Pillar Area
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Land Rover Defender body problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 5 body complaints filed for the 2020 Land Rover Defender, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Tapping Noise From A-Pillar Area
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REAR DOORS DIFFICULT TO OPEN
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The loadspace cover is sagging or has become damaged.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗A customer may report that the front or rear door latch does not operate as expected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
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).
Driver's side A Pillar trim came loose at 75 mph on freeway and blew off the side of the car. Also pulled out mounting bolt for A Pillar Trim.
Had body trouble with your 2020 Land Rover Defender?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2020 Land Rover Defender?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 9,250 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Land Rover/Defender.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.