There is a clicking or ticking type noise from the front axle area of the vehicle while turning either left or right at or near full lock at low speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Land Rover Defender steering problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 7 steering 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 steering 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 steering 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.
Clicking/Ticking Noise from Front Axle While Turning Left or Right and Full Lock at Low Speeds
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗No Power Steering Assistance at Start of Drive Cycle â ADAS Warning
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗A customer may report that an amber general warning indicator is illuminated Power Steering Assistance Reduced is displayed on the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE REDUCED MESSAGE DISPLAYED
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Total brake and steering loss at 60mph ..I can send you the screen shots tomorrow/ november 23rd (prom the photos taken on my son's phone of the dashboard notice...plus a virtual ghost-like abrupt take over of lane assistance despite my having turned that off!
While using the heated steering wheel function on my 2020 Land Rover Defender, the steering wheel began to overheat significantly after being turned on for a short time. The surface temperature became so hot that it burned and discolored the leather, releasing a strong burnt smell. This overheating poses a serious fire hazard and could easily burn the driver’s hands during operation. This issue…
While driving on straight highway, the vehicle's lane keep assist feature which was turned off (the default position) activated automatically without driver input or warning and caused the steering wheel to turn and abruptly moved the vehicle from side to side. This required the driver to take corrective action to force the vehicle to remain straight. A considerable amount of force was required…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2020 Land Rover Defender?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 1,900 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.