Land Rover Defender Reviews from North America

Previous owner messed with a non-compatible performance cam that resulted in having to rebuild the top of the engine ($$$$s). Since rebuild gone like a dream.

Both exhaust manifolds fractured and replaced.

Oil leak from gearbox.

Rust on doors/bulkhead.

This is an amazing vehicle and a true 4x4 in the old fashioned sense. It can go virtually anywhere and has good low end power, but is slow on acceleration. AC isn't that great. On long trips the metal under the seats gets really hot, but it is a pleasure to drive.

Over the last four years, I have had the water pump go at 60k, heater fan at 80k, rear differential pinion bearing at 83k - which was really my fault, I did not check the level of gear oil and it was low..

A great truck as long as you stay on top of general maintenance, checking oil, fluids and repairing any problems as they come up. It will also go anywhere with no modifications, spend a few dollars and you have a truck that can go just about anywhere in the world and not leave you stranded.

Nice heavy frame under it, and a light weight aluminum upper body give it a low center of gravity which helps when you are wheeling.

The "check engine" light seems to be tempermental. Twice now, the light has come on and then after letting the car sit over night, the light doesn't come back on.

The drivers (US driver or left seat) speaker cover has fallen off.... seems to be a defective part, but the dealer will replace at no cost seeing that it's under warranty.

Engine cuts out when you hit 100mph.... bummer.

It's quite a small car in length and width. It's easy to squeeze into parking spots etc.

This review is of a New Jersey, USA bought Defender 90 station wagon with nearly 15,000 miles on it. Problems, warranties, etc might be a bit different than with cars bought in the UK.