Land Rover Defender L663
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The new Defender L663 (2019–present) shares more DNA with a Range Rover than the agricultural 4x4 it replaced — and comes with Range Rover-level reliability risk. Two hidden problems define used ownership.
The hidden killer: water ingress. Water enters the footwells via degraded A-pillar grommets or blocked panoramic roof drains and pools silently under the floor mats. By the time it's noticed, control units under the driver's seat can already be corroded — $2,000–3,000 repair bills are common. Early production 2020–2022 vehicles worst affected. Dealers have dedicated teams for tracking these leaks.
Early diesel models (D250/D300, 2020–2022) occasionally show injector failure as early as 13,000 km — limp mode, weeks waiting for parts. Rare batch-specific defect, not universal. Pivi Pro infotainment freezes and reboots are the most frequently reported annoyance. Air suspension compressor and height sensors are the expected Land Rover wear items.
The 2021–2022 "missing features" issue (chip shortage) sounds alarming but is mostly resolved: adaptive cruise and digital cluster can be software-activated by independents for $250–550.
Test-drive checklist: Lift floor mats — any moisture under driver's seat? Pivi Pro: force a reboot cycle. Air suspension: does it level evenly after shutdown? Diesel: any warning lights or limp-mode history?
2026 market: Defender 110 D250 $49,500–71,500. D300 $55,000–82,500. V8 $88,000+.
Insider pick: D300 110 from 2023 — past the worst water ingress batches, injector issues largely resolved. Extended warranty strongly recommended.
635 PS
Defender V8 P635 · Benzin
Defender V8 P635: brute force on four wheels
Legendary!360–400 PS
3.0L Ingenium I6 Benzin Turbo Benzin
6 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Land Rover Defender L663 is available with 12 engine variants — from 200 to 634 hp.
Identical base engine to the 204DTD, but with a short production run in the early Defender L663. Same Ingenium diesel weaknesses: timing chain, oil dilution and turbo. Refer to 204DTD data for maintenance details.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 90,000 km
Identical issue to the 204DTD: timing chain stretches prematurely due to worn plastic guides. Same base engine, same structural weaknesses.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, power loss, fault codes P0016 or P0341 - !! Oil dilution from DPF regeneration from 30,000 km
Base engine 204DTD: incomplete DPF regeneration cycles allow fuel to drain into the sump. Short trips in the Defender increase the risk of incomplete regenerations.
Symptoms: Early service warning, oil level above max mark, fuel smell in oil - !! Turbocharger failure from 100,000 km
Same base engine as 204DTD: turbocharger failure due to oil dilution-related lubrication degradation and plastic debris from timing chain guides.
Symptoms: Blue or black exhaust smoke, whistling noise, severe power loss
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Identical base engine to the 204DTD, but with a short production run in the early Defender L663. Same Ingenium diesel weaknesses: timing chain, oil dilution and turbo. Refer to 204DTD data for maintenance details.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 90,000 km
Identical issue to the 204DTD: timing chain stretches prematurely due to worn plastic guides. Same base engine, same structural weaknesses.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, power loss, fault codes P0016 or P0341 - !! Oil dilution from DPF regeneration from 30,000 km
Base engine 204DTD: incomplete DPF regeneration cycles allow fuel to drain into the sump. Short trips in the Defender increase the risk of incomplete regenerations.
Symptoms: Early service warning, oil level above max mark, fuel smell in oil - !! Turbocharger failure from 100,000 km
Same base engine as 204DTD: turbocharger failure due to oil dilution-related lubrication degradation and plastic debris from timing chain guides.
Symptoms: Blue or black exhaust smoke, whistling noise, severe power loss
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six diesel with 48V mild-hybrid is more refined than the 2.0L diesel. Main issues: oil filter housing recall N908 (fire risk, 2021–2025), EGR coking and DPF on short trips. The 48V DC-DC converter is the designed-in weak link of the MHEV system.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six diesel with 48V mild-hybrid is more refined than the 2.0L diesel. Main issues: oil filter housing recall N908 (fire risk, 2021–2025), EGR coking and DPF on short trips. The 48V DC-DC converter is the designed-in weak link of the MHEV system.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six diesel with 48V mild-hybrid is more refined than the 2.0L diesel. Main issues: oil filter housing recall N908 (fire risk, 2021–2025), EGR coking and DPF on short trips. The 48V DC-DC converter is the designed-in weak link of the MHEV system.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
BMW-developed S68 4.4L V8 BiTurbo fitted in JLR vehicles from 2022. Oil consumption and twin-turbo maintenance are critical. Engine is relatively new in the JLR context — long-term reliability not yet fully assessable.
- !! Turbocharger problems from oil starvation from 100,000 km
The S68 twin-turbo setup can develop bearing damage with insufficient lubrication. Oil starvation is a frequent cause, especially with hot-soaking after hard driving without a cool-down period.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, unusual noises, power loss, whistling noise - !! Cooling system leak and overheating risk from 80,000 km
The S68 cooling system is complex and can develop leaks at hoses, thermostat and radiator. Overheating damage is particularly serious given the high power output.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, temperature warning, steam from the engine bay - !! Elevated oil consumption from 60,000 km
The BMW S68 V8 biturbo exhibits elevated oil consumption on some units as a known characteristic. Regular oil level checks between oil changes are mandatory.
Symptoms: Oil level drops between service intervals, occasional bluish smoke
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Identical base engine to the 204PT, fitted in the early Defender L663 (2020–2021). Same timing chain and thermostat issues. Short production run — limited long-term data available.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 85,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: timing chain stretches prematurely from worn plastic guides. In the Defender the high vehicle weight places extra strain on the drivetrain.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, rough idle - !! Thermostat housing leak from 70,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: thermostat housing prone to coolant leaks. Coolant can secondarily damage the piston cooling valve.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, fluctuating engine temperature, steam from the engine bay - !! Turbocharger failure from 110,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: turbocharger failure from oil starvation. The PT204 had a short production run in the Defender (2020–2021) but is structurally identical to 204PT problems.
Symptoms: Whistling noise, power loss, oil warning light, bluish smoke
Identical base engine to the 204PT, fitted in the early Defender L663 (2020–2021). Same timing chain and thermostat issues. Short production run — limited long-term data available.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 85,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: timing chain stretches prematurely from worn plastic guides. In the Defender the high vehicle weight places extra strain on the drivetrain.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, rough idle - !! Thermostat housing leak from 70,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: thermostat housing prone to coolant leaks. Coolant can secondarily damage the piston cooling valve.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, fluctuating engine temperature, steam from the engine bay - !! Turbocharger failure from 110,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: turbocharger failure from oil starvation. The PT204 had a short production run in the Defender (2020–2021) but is structurally identical to 204PT problems.
Symptoms: Whistling noise, power loss, oil warning light, bluish smoke
The 3.0L Ingenium straight-six petrol with 48V MHEV is the most reliable modern JLR engine. Note oil filter housing recall N908. Turbocharger and cooling system benefit from regular oil changes and adequate cool-down time after spirited driving.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 3.0L petrol oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil onto hot components. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Timing chain — rattle and wear from 120,000 km
The PT306 inline-six shows timing chain wear with rattling on cold start. Although more robust than the 2.0L four-cylinder, wear and tensioner issues are documented at higher mileages.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, rough idle, engine warning light with camshaft correlation errors - !! Turbocharger bearing and seal wear from 120,000 km
PT306 turbochargers develop bearing wear and oil blow-by particularly with insufficient oil change intervals. Allow cool-down time after spirited driving.
Symptoms: Whistling or howling noise, smoke from exhaust, power loss, elevated oil consumption
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L I6 turbocharged petrol combined with an electric motor as a plug-in hybrid. Combustion engine weaknesses same as the PT306, plus PHEV-specific issues: EV mode refusal, battery degradation, and oil dilution when running predominantly on electric power.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the I6 3.0L PHEV oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray oil onto hot components. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Oil leak, oil puddles, oil warning light, smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger wear from 120,000 km
Same base engine as PT306: turbocharger wear from insufficient lubrication. In PHEV mode the combustion engine often starts cold, which damages the turbo without pre-lubrication.
Symptoms: Whistling noise under acceleration, power loss in hybrid mode, smoke - !! PHEV: EV mode unavailable
Frequent malfunction: the system refuses EV operation with the message "EV temporarily unavailable". Cause is often a faulty HV coolant heater or defective battery control modules.
Symptoms: EV temporarily unavailable message, system switches to hybrid mode unintentionally
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
BMW-developed S68 4.4L V8 BiTurbo fitted in JLR vehicles from 2022. Oil consumption and twin-turbo maintenance are critical. Engine is relatively new in the JLR context — long-term reliability not yet fully assessable.
- !! Turbocharger problems from oil starvation from 100,000 km
The S68 twin-turbo setup can develop bearing damage with insufficient lubrication. Oil starvation is a frequent cause, especially with hot-soaking after hard driving without a cool-down period.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, unusual noises, power loss, whistling noise - !! Cooling system leak and overheating risk from 80,000 km
The S68 cooling system is complex and can develop leaks at hoses, thermostat and radiator. Overheating damage is particularly serious given the high power output.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, temperature warning, steam from the engine bay - !! Elevated oil consumption from 60,000 km
The BMW S68 V8 biturbo exhibits elevated oil consumption on some units as a known characteristic. Regular oil level checks between oil changes are mandatory.
Symptoms: Oil level drops between service intervals, occasional bluish smoke
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
BMW-developed S68 4.4L V8 BiTurbo fitted in JLR vehicles from 2022. Oil consumption and twin-turbo maintenance are critical. Engine is relatively new in the JLR context — long-term reliability not yet fully assessable.
- !! Turbocharger problems from oil starvation from 100,000 km
The S68 twin-turbo setup can develop bearing damage with insufficient lubrication. Oil starvation is a frequent cause, especially with hot-soaking after hard driving without a cool-down period.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, unusual noises, power loss, whistling noise - !! Cooling system leak and overheating risk from 80,000 km
The S68 cooling system is complex and can develop leaks at hoses, thermostat and radiator. Overheating damage is particularly serious given the high power output.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, temperature warning, steam from the engine bay - !! Elevated oil consumption from 60,000 km
The BMW S68 V8 biturbo exhibits elevated oil consumption on some units as a known characteristic. Regular oil level checks between oil changes are mandatory.
Symptoms: Oil level drops between service intervals, occasional bluish smoke
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Pivi Pro infotainment: freezing and rebooting Pivi Pro system freezes while driving or spontaneously restarts. Early 2020–2021 models particularly affected — black screen, Bluetooth dropouts, loss of Apple CarPlay. Software updates from mid-2021 significantly improve stability. Symptoms: Black screen while driving, reboot loop, wireless smartphone pairing drops out from 20,000 km | Medium | |
| Missing standard equipment due to chip shortage Models from 2021–2022 were delivered without ordered optional equipment due to the semiconductor shortage: ClearSight mirror, adaptive cruise control or fully digital instrument cluster were sometimes missing. Order configuration must be checked against vehicle specification. Symptoms: Ordered equipment features not present, menu options greyed out in the system | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 37 weaknesses have been documented for the Land Rover Defender L663 (2019–2026) — 29 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. 4 problem engines: 204DT (2.0L Ingenium Diesel), DT306 (3.0L Ingenium I6 Diesel), PT204 (2.0L Ingenium Benzin Turbo), PT306 (3.0L Ingenium I6 Benzin Turbo). Typical issues affect Electronics, Body, Brakes, Suspension.
Defender (204DT, 2019–2020) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Oil dilution from DPF regeneration, Turbocharger failure. Power: 241 PS.
Defender (204DT, 2019–2020) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Oil dilution from DPF regeneration, Turbocharger failure. Power: 200 PS.
Defender (PT204, 2020–2021) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Thermostat housing leak, Turbocharger failure. Power: 300 PS.
Defender (S68B44B, 2021–2026) — Be Careful: Turbocharger problems from oil starvation, Cooling system leak and overheating risk, Elevated oil consumption. Power: 525 PS.
Defender (S68B44B, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Turbocharger problems from oil starvation, Cooling system leak and overheating risk, Elevated oil consumption. Power: 634 PS.
Defender (PT306, 2020–2026) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Timing chain — rattle and wear, Turbocharger bearing and seal wear. Power: 400 PS.
Defender (PT204, 2024–2026) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Thermostat housing leak, Turbocharger failure. Power: 300 PS.
Defender (PT306-PHEV, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Recall N908: oil filter housing — fire risk, Turbocharger wear, PHEV: EV mode unavailable. Power: 300 PS.
Defender (DT306, 2020–2026) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 300 PS.
Defender (DT306, 2020–2026) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 249 PS.
Defender (DT306, 2020–2026) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 200 PS.
What to watch out for with the Land Rover Defender? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Land Rover Defender L663 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Land Rover Defender L663? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Land Rover Defender L663 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Land Rover Defender L663 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Land Rover Defender L663? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee