On certain 2017 model year to 2020 model year Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate if the vehicle is refueled within 15 seconds of turning the engine off. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) P0496-00 may be stored in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) .
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Land Rover Defender powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Land Rover Defender have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
Lack of power, MIL light on, rough idle
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLOSED ISSUE - On certain 2017 to 2020 model year Land Rover vehicles the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate if the vehicle is refueled within 15 seconds of turning the engine off. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) P0496-00 may be stored in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer reports lack of power and/or check engine light on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer reports coolant level low message on dash or a coolant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2020 Land Rover Defender?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.